When I woke up this morning and realized how beautiful it was and with Scott having a day off today, I thought.... "Let's have a picnic!!" I'm a nature girl by heart and have always felt at home, closer to God even, out in the middle of all his wonderous creation. My heart longs so for that place of beauty and wonder. Open fields, hidden, wooden trails, quiet streams, vast oceans, anywhere BUT HERE. Sometimes I feel like I live in the ugliest place, it's hard to find those tranquil places in Laplace, La. Until today. When I thought picnic, I thought let's go to the spillway. I've only seen the spillway from a distance and knew it at least had wide open space and some trees. We grabbed the blanket and some essential's (including camera) and with kids and dog in tow we hit the road. We picked up a bucket of chicken and headed to the spillway!
When we got there we found a nice shady seculed area, unpacked and had a lovely little picnic. It was such a beautiful day, almost a little chilly, but such a blessing to be had. Not long and the boys were up and ready to explore their surroundings, Jade had already been doing a pretty good job of exploring. Ever since my boys were little they've loved to pick me flowers and surprise me with them. It still melts my little mommy heart everytime they do, and their little gifts of love will always remain with me in my heart.
Not far from where we parked we noticed a bike trail, an alluring, undiscovered (well, by us anyway), little trail just begging us to come explore it. The trail was perfect, narrow and winding, surrounded by thick woods and winding river! This is exactly what I was longing for today! We had a blast following each other, going deeper and farther along the trail, across little bridges as we listened for creepy crawlies and enjoyed the cool breeze and warm sunlight shining down upon us through the trees. We walked a good ways, almost an hour and could've kept going, but we were actually getting tired and knew we had to walk back. Next time we'll be sure to bring some water along. As we headed back, all I could do was Thank my Heavenly Father for providing us with such a delightful little adventure today and reminding me, his beauty can be found everywhere, even in LaPlace, LA.
I have to agree. We know Father created "Creation" but growing up in Louisiana I too have wondered where are those 'special' places? How carefully hidden He can keep things.
ReplyDeleteA tree climber and quite tomboyish I too enjoyed "outside" and most the time we were shoo'd there, by Mom. Except, well, we lived in the "City" with buildings and streets & having to watch out for cars. Our play ground was the street, our football field, our baseball field or whatever we chose to play w/the neighbor kids.
Once moving to Banks Street we could actually walk to the local Jeff Davis playground to swing high on the swings or play ball. Or play on what is called 'neutral grounds; which are pretty wide open fields w/some play equipment. But on either side of it was a main street, not safe at all for children chasing a ball being kicked or thrown in the wrong direction.
Still, I enjoyed it all. Outside & Play!
Becoming a Girl Scout brought me to Mississippi! On my first camping trip that was before can drink had pop top openers. If someone forgot to bring the 'can opener' you had to find another way to open your drink. Since, we had an 'ax' on the trip to cut fire wood & pound tent pegs into the ground I can remember opening my can drink using the 'ax'...just barely missing my foot! Father & the Angels always watching over me, I still have 2 feet...today!
Being in the Mississippi 'woods' somewhere, I fell in love even more w/creation & nature. The immense tall pines stood in holy guard over me, it seemed towering to the sky, sometimes blocking out most of it; and the smell, so divine. To this day Pine Trees are my favorite tree. I love how they look after the rain, all soaking wet, each needle dripping, to me, liquid love to the earth below; after taking in its drink from the heavenlies above. And I love RAIN! Its wet & its fun to play in especially on a HOT summer day!
The quietness of the woods, the wilderness in Father's creation calls me, still. Spending time hiking, climbing rocks, playing in mountain icey streams a 'gift' from Him above. Camping out, sleeping under the stars, cooking all seems more of how I was meant to live my life. Yes elements are there, the cold, the heat and the bugs too. But so is HE!
Whether He takes me to the woods, a walking path, a park, an ocean or to a sandy beach my spirit seems more set free somehow. Is it the kid who lives inside & remembers something the older one outside has forgotten? The sense of His presence in the Creation He created for me to enjoy? Is it somewhere in the deepest recesses of my mind I can remember the first garden? Where I learned to walk & talk w/Him? I think its all these things & more.
I have been blessed to travel & see much of His creation. For the longest time 'red' dirt amazed me; still does. But I remember first seeing the red dirt and marveling...wow this dirt is red. The mighty Oaks in City Park, the Mountains in East Tennessee, the Rockies in Colorado & both oceans the Pacific & Atlantic, all created by His hands for me to enjoy.
So, today I am reminded I am a traveler just passing thru, getting glimpse's of future vista's yet to see, more of Him & His Glory.
O, halleluYAh more of Him & less of me...
The true traveler who loves outdoors will love the land between the seas, the land where our Messiah gave his life to set us free, the land where Yeshua laid down His life for you & for me about 2 hours from the Galilee. The Galilee where He walked & slept in a boat w/His first brothers, our apostles, our brothers who watch us from above. Who call out to us to keep following the SON. To walk & follow the path He has made in this sometime lonely wilderness. To enjoy each step w/family & w/friends who will love us, protect us & provide for us till the end.
To have fun in the sun on warm or chilly days, to pick the wild flowers He's so beautifully displayed. To listen to the stillness beside the still waters along the way, to lay down beside Him to not be afraid. For w/every step as we walk w/Him we can 'trust' we are never alone we're always w/Him. See, look & listen go outside & see gaze into your garden or up to the sky, look & search all around
and you can't help but see all the beauty He's created for you and for me!