for the past 3 days we have camped.
in a camper.
in the woods.
by a lake.
surrounded by people
with a common-enough mission
to still be secluded enough to refocus.
we [mostly] unplugged.
we read the bible.
we laughed.
we swam.
i noticed the beauty of God's Creation.
i noticed the beauty of
simplicity.
i noticed the laughter of my children.
their laughter pulls something inside of me to tears sometimes.
as does their nearly inerrant ability to create beauty and evoke such awe.
to love with abandon.
to
BE where
and when they are.
to be present with ardent fervor.
my 'trio spent their time
building nests out of gravel
and sticks
and pine needles.
they built these nests for sweet birdies who may have lost their home and were afraid or lonely.
they built them out of love.
they panned for precious gems
and learned how to build fires and
roast a marshmallow to perfection.
they are wise.
when do we lose that wisdom of childhood?
simple wisdom.
but great, and real wisdom.
i truthfully did not want to return home from this trip.
it was a short trip,
but it reminded me so much of what is truly important.
not that i had forgotten.
but that it is just so easy to remember when there is nothing but they sky,
the trees,
3 forest nymphs,
and Creator, God.
this is what i know:
kisses.
fruit-dalloped pancakes.
[and waffles]
a little imagination.
bare feet.
a handful of berries.
good friends/sisters and brothers to share them with.
and changing the world
one bird's nest
at a time
are what REALLY, truly,
matters.
may we never stray from our present.
"I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God."
Philippians 1:9-11 {NLT}
