The weather has changed pretty drastically here in Pennsylvania. We all went from wearing shorts and t-shirts to now armed with multiple layers of clothing. Some folks are trying to see how long they can hold out before turning on the heat for the season. Are you one of them?

Halloween is only two weeks away. (This is not a post endorsing or bashing the celebration of Halloween—calm down!) However, October 31 serves as a reminder that Autumn is indeed here. Autumn is not just decorations, candy, and parties. No, Autumn is much, much more. There is a slowing down of the soul that occurs during this time of the year—if only our stubborn selves would lean into this natural shift. Less daylight and cooler weather makes for a perfect recipe for you to slow down.

As we move indoors for the next few months, what are you feeling? Is now the time to tackle those indoor projects or a time to rest? A time to heal? As a pastor and as a disciple of Jesus, one of the most common statements that I am hearing from people is we are collectively “exhausted”. Note the stark differences between tired and exhausted. Everyone gets tired from a day’s work, yard work, or chasing their kids/grand-kids around and yet exhaustion says so much more. Exhaustion leads to burnout, anger, rage, and checking out on the people closest to us. Exhaustion is unhealthy and quite the opposite of what Jesus offers us.

Do some soul care with Jesus this Autumn. A walk in the woods or the local park may bring you back to a healthy baseline. Jumping in a pile of leaves could awaken your playful side—do this with friends and family but don’t break a hip. Sip some warm apple cider with your significant other. Yes, you can tackle those indoor projects but at a pace that is reasonable.

Lastly, now is the perfect time to begin praying for your theme for 2026. A theme from Jesus is focusing on a word or two for the upcoming year. This guidance from Jesus is not meant to be legalistic nor heavy. Quite the opposite, a theme for the year is a compass for the valleys and mountains that are a part of the journey of the heart.

Get outside today!