Carry Me (what Senna taught me)

We had a busy day…a busy, fun day. We had played and had many adventures, and now we were heading to the park to see the animals. First, of course, we had to stop by the tractor and sit on the seat and drive it for a bit. Then we walked past the horses munching on their lunch of rich, green grass. Next stop was the peacock barn. We sat on the chairs in front there for a while, watching as one peacock with all white feathers was strutting around, rustling them. He made us smile as he hopped back and forth, looking like he was dancing.

 

After a while, we moved on to the chicken coop and listened as they roamed around calling out greetings. Then it was on to the path toward Turtle Pond. Shortly after crossing a bridge, Senna, my sweet granddaughter, stopped in the middle of the path and simply stated, “Carry me.” Her almost 3 year old legs were tired, and she knew without hesitation that I could and gladly would scoop her up into my arms and carry her. As I picked her up and she wrapped her little arms around me, I thought – this is what God does and wants to do for me. When I am weary, all I need to do is say, “Carry me.” That’s what Jesus promises. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

We saved Turtle Pond for another day and headed out for ice cream instead. A perfect ending to a busy, beautiful, fun day.

 ~ Sarah (and Senna)

What I Like About Stop Signs

                                                                                        

This black cat was walking through the same meadow
as me when it decided to stop for a while.

Do you ever feel like you are going about a hundred miles per hour or maybe even a hundred kilometers per hour? Sometimes life goes rushing by in a blur, and sometimes I get caught up in doing so many things that they run together. That's why I kind of like stop signs. They make you stop.


Mike and I stopped for ice cream at a Dairy Queen. As we sat in the
parking lot enjoying it, we noticed this unusual bird. (a friend
kindly informed me that this is a blue heron:)


When I stop, I tend to notice things. It usually gives me a new perspective. The unimportant things fade and the important stuff comes into focus. Many times I discover things I hadn't noticed before. It reminds me that what is seen is temporary, and what is unseen is eternal.


Go ahead and look in every direction.
 There is beauty all around.






Stopping also gives me a chance to look all around. When is the last time you looked up at the clouds or down at the ground? Have you ever looked closely at the drops of water sitting on leaves after the rain?


When the rain stops, the raindrops left sitting on leaves are beautiful.



Stopping gives me the chance to evaluate what I'm doing. The other day I had my usual plan of doing way too many things within the day. Then I got a phone call from my daughter asking if I'd like to play a game (Imaginiff). Six of us ended up playing the game, eating popcorn, and laughing together. Now that was worthwhile!




I love how the afternoon sun always creates a golden glow

over everything, before the sky fades to black.



Recently I was thinking about Psalm 23 and how it says, "He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul."



All I'm trying to say and show through these few pictures is to go ahead and stop. Just stop completely for a while and allow God to restore your soul. He is faithful and will do it.       

                                                                 ~ Sarah





Walking along together, Mike and I stopped when
we saw these cool reflections.