There are some things I never tire of - the scent of fresh-baked bread, sliced cucumbers, or lilacs in early spring; the touch of my grandchild's hand, the feel of bunny fur or silky rose petals; the sight of a first snowfall, a bride adorned in white satin and lace, dazzling rainbows and luminescent sunsets.

But I tire least of autumn. There's something exhilarating about the season, whether I'm picking apples, buying pumpkins and squash from the local farm market, or listening to the crunch of fallen leaves under my feet.

Autumn nudges me to retrieve a warm sweater and a pair of jeans to venture outdoors. It prompts me to throw caution to the wind and experience the simple things in life like breathing in the crisp cool air while taking long, slow walks.

Fall is a reflective time, comprised of short snatches of time that I siphon for all they are worth because the season arrives and vanishes so swiftly.

Some time ago, I recall talking to a man who viewed life that way. Brady didn't have long to live, but his faith in Christ sustained and encouraged him. He wasn't afraid to die because he knew that earth was not his permanent home.

I couldn't help but notice that Brady's appreciation for life seemed far greater than mine. He spoke of his relationship with God, family and friends and how he valued every moment with them. He thanked God for each sunrise, and he complained little because his life was his gift. He knew that soon his life would pass, so he was determined to experience it in all of its fullness.

"To everything there is a season…a time to be born, a time to die…" (Ecclesiastes 3:2). Life is a season. Yet most of us face each day as if we had 10,000 more. So we take life and loved ones for granted and we seldom plan for eternity.

Jesus said, "The thief's purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all of its fullness" (John 10:10 TLB). Christ makes life worth living, even in the brutal seasons of rainstorms and blizzards. With Him in control life is an adventure, one worth living.

Life isn't easy, but it is good. All of life is an adventure, one that includes both the touch of a child's hand and the sting of tragedy. Brady said that "happiness is a choice," and that we must decide to enjoy life no matter what the season.

He was right. After all, who but God knows when our time here will end?

Just as the sights and smells of autumn pass quickly, life is a gift to embrace and appreciate while we're here. So breathe deep and enjoy.

Ahhh.