Fall into Jesus

Fall into Jesus...this was the name of an event Kaycie’s Corner hosted in October 2023, where we brought together children and families at the farm for a bible lesson, craft, and fun farm activities - animal feeding, hayride, and pumpkins! But it’s not just the name of an event. The phrase and the choice of these words were intentional, especially for this season. Fall is characterized by many “falls”. For those who experience Daylight Saving Time, there is a day early in the fall season when the time “falls back” and we set our clocks back one hour. Outside, many witness the changing season by the falling leaves that quickly cover the once green landscapes. You may also hear phrases like, “Fall into a good book,” as we retreat to the indoors with the changing temperatures. But there’s another phrase I like to consider during this season, one that I saw displayed on a church sign a few years ago - “Fall into Jesus...he never leaves.” 

Isn’t this a wonderful truth to know, that the One who created the sun, moon, and stars, who causes the earth to tilt on its axis as it orbits the sun so that we experience different seasons, He never leaves us? No matter the season of our lives - good, bad, or in between, He is with us. No matter how many mistakes we make, His love is never far from us. No matter who has abandoned us, He is still Immanuel, God with us. 

What would it look like to truly embrace this truth? I imagine it would look much like a trust fall exercise. One person allows themselves to fall back into the arms of another, hoping this person will catch them, only this time, there is a certainty with the fall because we know who is there to catch us. 

What if we were to ask our children who would catch them if they fall, literally? They might mention a parent or guardian, or even a friend. But what if we could show them, even now, what it looks like to fall into Jesus? 

What does it mean to fall into Jesus?

What does it mean to fall into Jesus? It’s fully trusting Him with your life and all the details, both minor and major. It’s going to God and seeking His direction before seeking the advice of any person. It’s relying on the Holy Spirit as our Helper rather than searching for self-help literature and podcasts. When we show our children that we rely on Jesus for every detail of our lives, they learn to rely on One who delights in every detail of their lives. 

With your child(ren), draw and cut out different-sized leaves. Then write down the major and minor details of life. It could be the everyday tasks like household chores or something bigger like a strained relationship with a sibling or friend. Write it on the leaves and then, actually watch them fall from your hands as you let go of each thing and allow it to fall into the hands of Jesus. Do this as often as you need to, individually, with your children, as a family, as you continue to trust and rely on God daily and fall deeper into the arms of Jesus. 

A family walking through the fall foliage.