Happy fall. I cherish this season and the newness it brings. Leaves changing colors, sweater (and sweatshirt) weather, pumpkin-flavored everything and re-runs of my favorite fall-themed movies and TV shows are all reasons why I love this season. 

The beginning of this season symbolizes a new school year when families would rush to buy new school supplies and clothes. The beginning of this season comes with the first day of school in September, with the scent of freshly sharpened pencils and the feel of unused notebooks, ready for them to be filled in with a world of possibilities. September blends into October, which is filled with candy and fall festivals and football games. Walking through the cool, crisp air while wrapping ourselves with cozy sweaters, oversized sweatshirts and long parkas (for the colder climates). We’d wrap ourselves in our cozy jackets and sweaters to sit in the bleachers at football games, or we’d wrap ourselves in warm blankets on the couch with the NFL theme song playing in the background on Sunday afternoons. October bleeds into November, when families would prepare for the busy day that is Thanksgiving, when not only do we stress about what dishes to prepare, but also reflect on what and who we are thankful for. 

This month, I allow myself this time to reflect on the past year. Not only do I think about what I’m thankful for, but I renew a hope I have for the future. The newness that this season brings nudges me to reprioritize what and who I love. I allow myself to love what I love, cherish the things I cherish and focus on what’s important to me. I allow myself to fangirl over the latest movie or whatever Taylor Swift is doing; I allow myself to enjoy the little things that make up my day-to-day life; I allow myself to sit in the present moment instead of constantly worrying about what comes next. I allow myself to examine my relationship with God; am I prioritizing other things above Him? With all the newness that this season brings, what is my heart focused on? 

My favorite season brings a lot of things—falling leaves, sweaters and thick socks, pumpkin-spiced coffee and football season—but at the center of it all should be my heart for God and acting and speaking in a way that glorifies Him. As you enter this month of thankfulness, and the heartwarming season that is fall, remind yourself your priorities and what you love. What is your heart postured on?