Discover the beauty of slowing down this fall. Join author and baker Janice Thompson as she reflects on autumn memories, faith, cozy recipes, and the reminder to savor each season.
When Life Feels Like It’s Always Go-Go-Go
I’ll admit it—I’m a go-getter. I’m always working, writing, baking, cooking…sometimes round the clock. Life can feel like one long to-do list. And here in South Texas, the weather doesn’t exactly scream “slow down.” When it’s still 90 degrees outside, it hardly feels like fall at all.
Remembering Autumn in East Tennessee
My heart always pulls me back to my college days in East Tennessee. I can close my eyes and still see the sun beaming through those red, orange, and golden leaves on the campus of Milligan College.
October had a way of drawing me in—like a gentle melody I couldn’t help but hum. (Ever get a song stuck in your head? Yeah, it’s like that.) Those memories remind me what fall is supposed to feel like. And even though the temperatures don’t match here in Texas, the feelings of autumn remain, especially as we roll into October.
The Call to Slow Down
If I’m honest, slowing down doesn’t come naturally to me. As an author and a baker, I’m always pushing forward, creating, planning the next thing. Maybe you can relate? But autumn whispers a different invitation: breathe the air, notice the beauty, enjoy the season instead of fighting against it.
I believe God calls us to this rhythm. Scripture reminds us: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). This fall season is a special gift from our Heavenly Father, a present He hopes we’ll unwrap and enjoy.
Finding Rest in Simple Things
For me, slowing down means:
- Curling up with a good book, like one of my cozy mysteries.
- Simmering a pot of Sunday Gravy or a cozy soup or stew on the stove.
- Baking pumpkin bread or apple crisp and letting the aroma fill the house.
- Taking a moment to be still and thank God for the blessings of the season through one of my devotions.
An Invitation to You
Friend, maybe you’re wired like me—always running, always working, always chasing the next thing. If so, I want to invite you to pause this October. Make space for what matters most. Light a candle, savor a favorite recipe, open a devotional or a novel, and breathe deeply.
Autumn won’t last forever, but the memories you make in these slower, sweeter moments will stay with you.
May God bless you all richly this lovely October!
Much love,
Janice
