Friday May 20 2016  INTERLUDE IN THE WOODS

When you least expect it a day seems to blossom as the hours leisurely go by.  I feel as if I have had a vacation, short though it was.  Dave left for the gym and I decided before I started unpacking again I would cut some lilacs off our small bush in the back yard and take them through the woods to our neighbor.  Carolyn loves lilacs and does not have her own bush.  I know she likes to go to garage sales and would probably be gone so I planned to leave the vase of flowers in her gazebo.  As I was walking toward the gazebo I noticed her back door was opened so I gave her a holler.  We had a short visit and I started my walk home. 

In order to walk to Carolyn’s I must traverse a short distance through the woods which leads to her backyard.  While walking home I came to where the path in the woods would take me home or I could take another path and end up in a maze.  I opted for the maze.  It was early and shafts of sunlight were scattered about highlighting little patches on the woods floor.  After a short walk deeper into the woods it felt as if I had entered an ethereal sanctuary.  It seemed to be a peaceful refuge from the outside world.  Several species of bird songs flittered back and forth.  The leaves on the trees were a delicate, yet vibrant, yellow green that is only experienced in early spring.  And then I noticed all around me were little flowers peeking out, almost as if they were hiding from a stranger who had interloped into their private dwelling.

And what was the first thing that popped out!  Ah Ha!  I had my cell phone with me!  And so the photo session began.  Now what would I have done had it been my week of no phone use?  After all, these flowers are here for such a fleeting time.  I suppose I would have survived without it. But, since I had the opportunity to take them I will share them with you.  It took me a lot longer to arrive home than it did for me to walk to Carolyn’s.

I worked several hours unpacking storage boxes and then had to stop so I could make lunch.  We had a guest coming today.  Two guests in one week!  I loved it.  Jalen is a young man I met at the gym where I work out.  He is currently in college.  He loves the Lord and we love to talk about God.  He is a hardworking, diligent, and persevering young man.  He is the kind of young man that gives me hope for the future of our country.  Jalen is the kind of young man you would be proud to call your son.  He is on school break right now so I asked him to come over and have lunch with Dave and me.  We had a wonderful lunch, great conversation, and an amazingly leisurely afternoon.  I asked him if he liked the woods and when he said he loves walking in wooded areas I invited him to take a walk with me. 

So, twice in one day I was able to take a restful and relaxing stroll through our back yard woods.  Again, it was totally awesome.  The sun was overhead now but was covered with a thick layer of clouds.  The lighting was amazing, a photographer’s dream.  I used to pray for overcast days when I photographed outdoor weddings.  Everything looked so different in the woods from what it looked like earlier in the day.  The woods glowed, as if a magic light hovered over the flower-lined pathways.  Small, gentle, shy flowers were peeking out if one took time to look closely.  At first Jalen had a bit of consternation in trying to find the illusive flowers, but in the end, with a little coaxing and bending and stooping, he too was able to see the exquisite beauty that I had captured earlier on my IPhone camera.  He was delighted. 

The afternoon passed and evening set in.  It was time for me to write my blog and I didn’t even need to think of what I wanted to write about.  I just knew I had to share my mini vacation day with my friends in blogland.  And truth be told, I feel refreshed and rejuvenated.  Perhaps because of the walk in the woods, or perhaps it was just the company of a bright, energetic, and wonderful young man that took time out of his precious week off from classes, to come and share part of his life with us for one glorious afternoon.  We loved having him.

THE CARESS OF GOD

By Kathleen Martens

May 20, 2016

It is awesome to spend time

At a leisurely pace.

Taking time to talk.

And look another in the face.

To take a stroll in the deep woods,

Spongy earth creating carpet of green.

The light cascading in magical dance,

Enchanted brilliance of wispy streams.

And to see smiles peeking about,

Little flowers, the caress of God.

I could just imagine them dancing,

And didn’t even think it odd.

The woods are magic

When one is alone.

But when there are two

Joint worship is known.

All in all the day was sublime,

Inspiring, uplifting, and grand!

It was if the entire time

God was holding my hand.

Thank You God for showing me Your majesty today.

Thank You for our young friend’s company today.

Thank You for my much needed interlude of peace.

Thank You Lord for all You bring into my life.

Thank You Lord for Jalen and his heart turned toward You.

Thank You for the hope You put in my heart.

Thank You for May Apples.  (Photo included)

Thank You for speaking to me in so many ways.

Thank You for toothpaste.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.