I know, cheesy title. But this time of year is simply wonderful! Especially for southern gals.

Bright yellow mums, cotton fields, cooler temps, less humidity, pumpkins, football games, and our favorite cozy sweaters beckon us to jump into the new season with joy.

Perhaps my favorite thing about autumn is the explosion of color. God paints the earth with myriad hues of red, orange, yellow, brown, and gold. Enough to make us breathless with wonder. 

This season is an exquisite reminder of the beauty and artistry of our Creator. He could have made every month the same—same temperatures, colors, and foliage. But God gave us infinite variety in His creation. What an amazing gift!

Fall is also a great time to grab a cup of coffee, a comfy blanket, and a good book. My friend Cathy Baker has a wonderful series of books titled, Pauses for the Vacationing Soul including editions for the beach and the mountains.

This is the perfect time of year to enjoy the mountain version! Pauses for the Vacationing Soul: A Sensory-Based Devotional Guide for the Mountains invites the reader to worship God through the senses—experiencing His beauty and majesty through sight, taste, touch, smell, and sound.

From Cathy’s website, Cultivating Creativity:

Endorsement by author Edie Melson: Through this book, Cathy weaves a meditative journey that will enhance anyone’s trip. Her introduction of God’s Word brings the majesty of His mountains to life through a biblical perspective. Her insight on how to apply the verses she shares is life changing. But what I like best are her observations of who God is.

Each day, this devotional leads us to ponder one of God’s attributes in the context of His mountains. Along with prayers and gentle suggestions of things to do to enhance your intimacy with God and His creation, she weaves her own stories and personal observations.

This gem of a book is one that will become dog-eared with loving use. I know I’ll never again travel up the mountain without it by my side. 

Personally, these books are leading to many special quiet-time moments of worship, reflection, and prayer. Cathy’s heart and love for God shine through her writing and I know you’ll be blessed by her work.

I encourage you to hop over to Cathy’s site, Cultivating Creativity, and get to know this gifted author and prayer warrior. She also has a free e-book on praying through each room of your home. Not to be missed!

Cathy Baker is an award-winning writer and author of Pauses for the Vacationing Soul: A Sensory-Based Devotional Guide for the Beach as well as Pauses for the Vacationing Soul: A Sensory-Based Devotional Guide for the Mountains. As a twenty-five year veteran Bible instructor, she’s led hundreds of studies and workshops. She’s also contributed to numerous anthologies and publications, including Chicken Soup for the Soul, The Upper Room, and Focus on the Family’s Thriving Family. In addition, her poetry can be found in several popular anthologies. She and her husband, Brian, live in the foothills of the Carolinas where she one day hopes to have her very own Goldendoodle.

Ways to connect: Blog—CathyBaker.org, Twitter—@CathySBaker,  Facebook—Cathy Baker

What’s your favorite part of autumn? Is there something you look forward to each year?

Have a blessed week and enjoy this glorious season!

Joyfully,

Leigh Ann 🙂