Everyone has their favorite time of year. Mine is September, October, and November. It seems like plenty of sunny days are left, even though the rains start, but it is cooler. I am not a hot-weather person; I like cooler weather and don’t even mind cold. I don’t like rain, but I can tolerate the days when it sprinkles for a few hours. I think I like the Fall because of the good fishing and hunting this time of year. I might have been mentally programmed on the dairy when I was a kid. June, July, and August were hectic and challenging months. We had to move the irrigation pipe daily, put in three cuttings of hay, and continue to milk the cows twice a day. When September arrived and school started, things slowed down on the farm. September, October, and November were much easier months. The winter snow and cold hadn’t started yet, the weather was still relatively comfortable, fishing was good, and hunting was in full swing. Now, things get busier in the fall with considerable increases in ministry. I still enjoy this time of year because I enjoy teaching, preaching, studying, meetings, and all the rest that goes with doing ministry, and of course, I enjoy hunting. My Mom used to say that for all of us, our favorite part of the year was when we were born. My birthday is October 27th, and October is my favorite month. My Dad’s birthday was in April, and he loved April.

I have never tested my Mom’s conclusion, but it was true for her, Dad, and me. We all use the word favorite a lot: favorite food, favorite sport, favorite month, favorite activity, favorite person, favorite color, and so on. I have a T-shirt that says, “God loves everybody, but I am His favorite!” I get lots of comments when I wear that T-shirt. I wonder what my favorite activity will be in heaven. Heaven will be a very active place. We will do a lot, and our activities will be very different. I don’t think my favorite activity will be playing a harp.