Hot... and in need of rest

Did you know that it is hotter than a goats hiney in a pepper patch down here in Georgia.

Seriously, we are sweating it out.

I am envious of all my "just pretendz bloggy friends" who live in places like Ruralville or up in Northern Idaho. I get the sense that Summer may have just arrived for you.

And when I say Summer, I do not mean, 80 degree weather.

God Bless you sweet people, but 80 degrees is not Summer.

The hubs had a mandatory work function at the church last night, so in an attempt to cool the kids off, I took them to a local park with fountains. It was an amazingly good outing considering I was so outnumbered. Sassy was in true form... singing, dancing, playing in the fountains, and her little shadow was imitating her every move.

Chilli fell asleep in the carrier.
I love that kid.

Sassy was putting on some type of musical production.

She was totally in her own world.

Once again, I love that she is oblivious to the fact that she marches to a beat of a different drummer. I hope that her spirit isn't ever squelched.

At one point, she decided to lie down on the ground.

Of couse Jenkins joined her.

But it was funny because the rest of the kids were running around all over the place and she and her brother were just lying down... it was almost like I was watching special effects in a movie, where the main characters are fixed and still while the world buzzes around them in a frenzy.

I have often commented that this stage of my life does not seem to provide a lot of opportunity for reflection. That's not to say that there aren't plenty of things to reflect on... it's just that in between feeding the family, dressing children, changing diapers, cleaning up endless messes, doing laundry, and, and, and... I confess that most of the time, I'm too exhausted to reflect.

However, as I watched my kids lie down in the midst of chaos yesterday, I did have a small reflective moment.

How awesome that in the middle of all that insanity, they were able to block out the noise and be still.

Granted, they were probably just pretending to "take a nap" but for me it was the visual image that caught my attention.

I am desperate for some stillness in my life.

Even though it is crazy and I know there is so much to do, I know I need to be still more often than I am.

Like, not just when I am asleep!

My quiet times have been short, rushed and infrequent. I hope I can be still enough this week to lie down in the middle of all the madness and enjoy some time with the Jesus.

I pray I might rest in the Secret of his Presence as Sandra McCracken sings about in this song.

In the Secret of His Presence (click to hear the song).
In the secret of His presence
How my soul delights to hide!
Oh, how precious are the lessons
Which I learn at Jesus’ side!
Earthly cares forever vex me,
all my trials lay me low;
But when Satan comes to tempt me,
To the secret place I go.

When my soul is faint and thirsty,
‘Neath the shadow of His wing
There is cool and pleasant shelter,
And a fresh and crystal spring;
And my Savior rests beside me,
As we hold communion sweet;
If I tried, I could not utter
What He says when thus we meet.

Only this I know: I tell Him
All my doubts and griefs and fears;
Oh, how patiently He listens!
And my drooping soul He cheers;
Do you think He ne’er reproves me?
What a false friend He would be,
If He never, never told me
Of the sins which He must see.

Would you like to know that sweetness
Of the secret of the Lord?
Go and hide beneath His shadow;
This shall then be your reward;
And whene’er you leave the silence
Of that happy meeting-place,
By the Spirit bear the image
Of the Master in your face.

words by ELLEN GOREH, music by CHRISTOPHER MINER



Maranda