Thursday, April 8, 2010

Lovin' Where You're At

I have some thoughts rattling around in my head, and just wanted to get them out. 

We are in the midst of a fabulous Spring break.  It's been such a relaxing week so far.  Time with friends, time with each other...time feels to have sloooowed down this week, and that's just what I was needing.

Alex has been spending the week with a group from his high school youth group.  They are working around our own town, serving the homeless.  They've painted rooms at the Union Gospel Mission and worked at the Salvation Army and the local food bank.  He had lunch yesterday with a couple homeless men, heard some stories of lives changed and changing.  His eyes are opening to some great things.  His mind is expanding in some wonderful ways.  He's growing up.

And the girls have been soaking up some friend time and time with each other.  We've been shopping, swimming, movie-watching, hospital-visiting, and just hanging out together without having to do "something".  I love it.  We all are feeling refreshed.

Everywhere we've gone, I've heard grumbling about our weather.  And it's getting on my nerves.  Our joy, our contentment, our fun, does not have to depend on the sky outside!  There's plenty of fun to be had, even in the rain!  And, you know, that's true both physically and in our life's circumstances.  If we only allow ourselves joy, contentment and fun when everything is "sunny" in our lives, we are going to miss out on so much.  And be so shallow.

A couple years ago, I heard a gal say, speaking of her young children, "I feel so bad for them.  They stand at the door and cry because they want to go outside and play, but it's raining.  They are driving me crazy and I need the sun so they can go outside!!"  I couldn't resist suggesting to her that she put a coat on them and send them out in the rain!  How can you learn to jump in mud puddles without the rain?  How can you learn to build mud creations if you are not out in the mud?  Kids and their clothes come clean with a little washing.  And you don't get a cold from playing in the rain.  You get a cold from a virus.  Right?  Same with us.  Learn to love where you are at.  Even if it's in the rain...or in this case, in the hail!!

3 comments:

  1. you are right....I am consistent in my gripping of this weather, I need to be at peace and get on with life. And I totally agree, rain, snow, shine, my kiddoes are outside. Yes, yes, yes!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think what Alex is doing is great! the Union Gospel Mission is one of my favorits, probably because Dan's brother was taken care a lot by them. (by the way, I saw him after 23 years of not seeing him, he is finally clean and sober for a year now. I can't believe it but i guess there is hope.) But back to Alex, i hope he listens to as many stories as he can. they are so interesting and what lives those people have lived....a lesson to be learned by most of them, but just to have someone listen to them means a lot to them. Gives you a whole new perspective on everything. Keep up the good work Alex! you make me proud.
    darrlyn

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good reminder on being content where-ever we are at! Rain or Sun we need them both in our everyday lives and in our walk with the Lord!

    ReplyDelete