Peaceful, Easy Feeling

Look what I did today:


See that bench? See that book? That's the book I read while sitting on the bench (all by myself) by the quiet pond. I love those little surprise packages that God tosses our way just when we really need them.

Today I had over an hour of unexpected alone-time. I took my kids to a half-day outdoor workshop at a local camp. Duncan's group was doing stream ecology, and Laurel's group was doing a 2.5 mile hike to learn wilderness survival. My initial plan was to go on the hike with Laurel's group. But it quickly became apparent that I didn't really need to go on the hike. There were a couple other adults along with the guide, the girls were happily chattering away— and there was this bench by the pond looking so inviting. And at the last minute before we'd left home, I had stuck in a book, just in case.

I went with the bench. And so for an hour and a half, I listened to birds singing, crickets chirping, and the faraway voices of 100 kids coming through the woods.


I even looked up from my book every now and then.

I was really running ragged before I left for the camp this morning. It was one of those "what was I thinking when I signed us up for this?" days. I had a group of American Heritage Girls meeting at my house as soon as I got home; I should have been home preparing. I had company coming in this evening; I should have been at home cleaning. I packed the kids a pitiful lunch of brownies, water, and pretzels (really), and I was 8 minutes late.

This afternoon I'm relaxed and breathing deeply. The kids had a fantastic time exploring and hiking, and we are all feeling content.

A few hours in a beautiful place is amazingly rejuvenating.