The calendar says it’s fall.
You might not have noticed—your planner is packed, your mind overloaded, your heart heavy with a list that never ends. Assignments. Conversations. Appointments. Deadlines. Noise.
But outside, a different story is being written.
The wind whispers through trees that are shedding yesterday’s worries.
Leaves crackle beneath your feet like tiny invitations to slow down.
The air smells like bonfires and cinnamon and something softer—something sacred.
The world is exhaling.
Can you feel it?
This season, somewhere between the start of the semester and the upcoming holidays, you are invited to take a fall break. Not just a break from classes or responsibilities, but a Sabbath break—a sacred pause.
Not a retreat from meaning.
But a return to it.
Jesus knew the pace of the world. He walked dusty roads, healed aching bodies, answered endless needs. But He also withdrew. He stepped aside. He made time for stillness with the Father.
If He needed that, don’t we?
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31)
So what does a fall break look like for you?
Maybe it’s five minutes on your front porch, watching leaves fall like prayers. Maybe it’s a walk without your phone. Maybe it’s sipping something warm and whispering a short prayer. Maybe it’s opening your Bible, slowly reading Psalm 23, and actually letting Him lead you beside still waters.
Let this be a break for your soul:
· What do you hear? The wind in the trees, your own breath slowing.
· What do you see? Golden light slanting through branches, reminders that beauty is still here.
· What do you smell? The earth, the change of seasons, maybe even a memory.
· What do you feel? A worn-out hoodie. The warmth of a mug. The ache of your muscles—yes, you are tired.
· What do you remember? A walk with a friend. A laugh around a fire. A quiet moment that didn’t feel rushed.
· What do you dream? Of peace. Of joy. Of not feeling so hurried and held together by a thread.
Let all of that be part of your prayer.
Even now, as you read this, let your breath slow. Let your worries go. Let the Shepherd restore your soul.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.” (Psalm 23:2–3)
The world may be in a hurry. But you don’t have to be.
Take your fall break. Even if it’s short. Even if it’s silent. Even if it’s just one deep breath that you didn’t have time for until now.
Because He’s waiting for you beside still waters. Because He still restores souls.
Even in October.
Especially in October.
I love this writing, it emphasizes not only the importance of rest and alone time but also how beneficial it is; how good it can be just to slow down and take a pause, more importantly a pause with Jesus. Finding time to spend time with Jesus can be difficult sometimes, have a time for rest and relaxation gives a perfect window to also be alone with the lord. Taking a break, whatever that break may be for you is good for the soul and for your relationship with our lord and savior Jesus Christ.
Fall is one of my most favorite times of the year. I love the crisp air, nature’s colors, and activities I do with my family. I want to use this time to revisit how God has blessed me with the ability to enjoy these things He created. I can experience closeness with Him in these little moments if I just invite Him into my day. I want to practice gratitude for His great provision in my life, but I do not want it to stop there. I want to share these things that I have been given with others. I need God’s help to create friendships that become like family.
Growing up in a country that doesn’t experience seasonal changes, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first moved to the US. I have never seen the slow change; I have never seen the transition of the trees and the leaves. I have been in cold winter weather, but there is a slow shift from the warmth of the weather to the warmth of the color of the foliage falling from the trees. From the sun standing strong until 9 pm to the darkness that now engulfs at 6 pm. Now, fall has become one of my favorite seasons, and the sentiment is absolutely right. It might be warm outside anymore, but we can certainly feel the warm love of Jesus by taking a pause and sitting with him, maybe with a coffee or a hot chocolate in hand.
Growing up, I used to enjoy the quickness and filled schedule of summer. Something about the thrill and excitement of being able to whatever I wanted and whenever I wanted seemed so compelling. But as I got older, the more I resonated with fall. With the change of scenery and the environment that slows down, I felt the calmness and the stillness of God’s own provision for me. God has an ironic way of using nature to symbolize something much deeper. Whenever fall comes around, I am reminded of a season filled with gratitude and solitude. The leaves fall and pass away and what’s left is the cold breeze and the feeling of anticipation. God is reminding me in this season to have gratitude in my anticipation for my next season of life. Fall also has a very intimate place in my heart, as I vividly remember being resorted in Christ during that very season two years ago in high school, sitting on my back porch drinking a coffee and praying for His presence.
“Not a retreat from meaning. But a return to it.” This comment was so real to me. So often I think I just need a break to get away from everything. But in reality, I’m just missing the meaning. I can take even a minute to be like a retreat. But that retreat isn’t a distraction from what is next on my list for that day but a moment to realize the “why” for everything. The “why” being my decisions, the life I am choosing to live, even the list I have to do. I can remember why I do what I do and taking that moment to embrace the beautiful meaning of life created by a loving and amazing God.
Fall is one of the biggest seasons ever. Over time I realize fall is the season of just relaxation. As you get older, at times you don’t realize that time moves fast and things are just fleeting though. This fall break we just had helped me realize that I need time for myself, so I’m letting all the voices in my head keep going and just trying to have an open mind. Sometimes during this season i would have sessions with God and just talk to him; by me me just talking to him, my mind instantly became free, like I didn’t have any worries on my mind and i was just free. And now during this season I feel free-minded; I don’t have any stress or anything, and i Just thank God for that
The fall season is beautiful in appearance but causing so much stress, anxiety, chaos because it requires preparation for the holidays that come back to back and busy because they all include cooking, and fellowship, and Christmas decorations, and gift buying, and for us college students, finishing out the semester and preparing for the next. Some sports start in this time and we feel overwhelmed, and have no time to rest but in the business of it all we have to withdraw and take time to rest and refresh ourselves. The Lord requires rest of us and time with him so that we can commune and have fellowship with him. Psalms 23 calls us to commune with the Lord and dwell in his presence.
In the midst of everything during this fall, the break was a time for relaxation in the presence of the Lord. This is a busy season with things amping up, such as school, sports, outside events, etc. We are still called to seek the Lord and let Him be our guidance. This fall break was such a good time to spend with God and watch Him work in my life. Spending much time in solitude with Him and surrounded by people who also want more of Him. In this season of fall, I’m watching God transform my life everyday as I continue to grow in Him.
During the fall break was needed. When things get to hard and when you are tired mentally and physically it’s good to just take a break from everything and go outside and breath in the fresh air. Walk around or go on a run to clear your head. This break was a needed break for me because i was so stressed about doing my work and sports and i couldn’t do anymore but during this break i just relaxed and spend the time with my love ones. We need to be able to give ourselves a break from everything and just relax