When I was having my coffee this morning standing in front of the window, I saw for the first time the great big turtle taking his exaggerated steps across the driveway and into the pond. After a quick errand, a truly unique visit from a friend, a call from Mike on his way to Oklahoma that he was at a hospital with another kidney stone, and an empty handed return home from the kids when the store closed just before they arrived. So since we didn't get a belt for the riding mower, pushing was on the menu again, but not before I got a few minutes to myself with the majesty of my surroundings.
I sat by the pond breathing in the beauty of it all and not much less impressed than I was of the ocean. It is the same sky, the same wind, much the same water brimming with life beneath and above it ...but with a canopy of leaves shielding me from the sun, which it seemed like I was praying for everything under ...when God told me to "be quiet". You know, like "be still and know that I am God". And when I cleared my mind to do just that, a big wind came as if He were breathing on me. Then, I thought how my presence must tarnish the scenery. The "scenery" needed to be groomed and I was reminded that even in its unkemptness, God's creation is just plain beautiful, as is each of his people. What a relief that my Father thinks I'm beautiful even when, and perhaps especially when, I'm a mess.
Before long, we had a push mower and 2 weed eaters buzzing. After 3 hours, the older ones got a reprieve to go and dog sit for the night so that our good friends could flitter away to the coast for the day :) McKala had been at work and then to "camp" to visit her close knit friends from out of state who've returned for the summer, so it was just Madalynn, Macklynn, and me.
Macklynn fished nonstop, catching Large Mouth Bass, catfish, sunfish, and Crappie. He raced his bare feet back and forth to the barn for worms. Madalynn mostly talked about things she doesn't have, which I discourage. She just has had in her mind that a tree house would be fantastic. (It IS one thing in all these years we haven't had.) I raked and raked some more. I just about have it how I want it.
I came in sometime in the middle of it all and decided it didn't make any sense not to have supper by the pond with them, so we did. Then it didn't make any sense not to burn the leaves and limbs, so we did. And then it didn't make any sense not to let them roast marshmellows, so we did ...even if they were miniature ones ;) Skewers did the trick!
We sat outside way after the sun set and the lightening bugs flashed against the black silhouettes of the tree line and the hoot owl returned our calls. We added to and turned the pile over and over to let it breathe. Finally, they played with it a little too much, blowing coals off the limbs they pretended were sparklers. I sent them in to clean up.
There I was again, alone in the presence of the One who lets us live in this setting. Actually, I wasn't alone. Smokey was there. He always is. I don't have to call him. I probably couldn't get him to leave even if I wanted him to. It was well past his time to be in his doghouse, but that's not who he is. He stays until everyone is where they're supposed to be. How we could take cues from a lowly dog. Mia was there also stretched across the sand like it was the best thing in the world. The cats even came down to investigate. The bats swooped low for their nightly catch. The bullfrogs and toads took turns with their songs. And then I saw a "shooting star".
I knew this was one of those days where "my cup runneth over" ...and that I'd better put it in writing. And so I have, goodnight.
BUT not yet, Mike just called here after midnight to say the driver of the wrecker that came to get him yesterday and the same one who took him to the hospital today and the same one who took him on a round trip of 6 hours to get an expensive part that, yes, Mike put on despite his pain, told him about his 9 adult children and their mother who passed away 5 years ago and that he hasn't talked with anyone else about the void he's had 'til today. Man, God can and will do so much in the midst of chaos.
Today just got even better. Oh ...I guess that would be yesterday. So ...TODAY just got off to great start. I have 2 sleepy heads in my bed and after I shower, hopefully I'll be too tired to be awoken by their squirmy little bodies because their brother and sisters are making their debut in the choir in the morning! If you get close to me today, my cup might just spill on you. I can't help but tell people how good God is. Life is Good, but God is Better. And if someone's already said that, then that's too bad :)
No comments:
Post a Comment