Happy Life Day!

It’s my birthday!!  Ron took the day off – the kids made me breakfast in bed – we spent the afternoon at one of my favorite places – Longwood Gardens.  What a great day!

I started the day reading this passage in Deuteronomy 30:11-20 and was reminded of a few things.

God desires is for us to choose life – a life of being in love with Him.

A life of love with God is within my reach – he has not made it hard to get to Him – in fact he is very near.

Living in love with God brings blessing.

Choose Life!

Follow the Trail

We took the kids to Valley Green Park today – this is one of the best places to spend the day in the city limits, and feel like you are miles away at the same time.  Over the last several years it has become a “chill out spot” for all of us.  Ron mountain bikes and trail runs, we bike the path along the river with the kids, we feed the ducks and watch for horse pooh (!), last year on one walk we actually heard a tree fall in the woods!!

Today we hiked a trail on the northern riverbank that we haven’t been on before.  Karena, our oldest, was very concerned because “who would be the leader” and “we don’t know which way to go.” I spent the next few moments convincing her that we would follow the trail – and then we took hold of each other’s hand and ran to catch up with daddy – the appointed leader.  For the better part of 2 hours we spent time hiking the trail, climbing little rock faces, taking pictures and collecting fall leaves.  As we crossed the covered bridge that leads to the bike path, Karena ran ahead, “I can take it from here – I know where I’m going.”

This reminds me of my journey with Jesus – I like the bike path – I know where I’m going – it’s wide and easy to follow – very few ways to be injured. When I’m on the bike path I don’t watch out for much – other than horse pooh – and stroll along easily chit chatting with Ron and the kids.

Jesus has me on the trail right now – one I’ve never been on before. I’m walking with more caution, I’m watching for a whole lot more than horse pooh, and I’m holding heavily to the hand of God for direction. 

I hope when I’m done and back on the bike path for awhile I can utter these words I heard from my daughter at the end of our walk, “Thank you mommy for helping me follow the trail and see all there was to see and have fun and enjoy what God created and collect neat fall stuff along the way!”

The journey of following

What does it mean for me to follow?

It means far more than just walking along behind
It means more than just letting someone else tell me what to do

For me, following has meant opening my eyes wide as I move along the less traveled path.
For me, following has meant pausing to listen – for the sounds of those who may have walked this less traveled path, for those who wait hoping someone would go before them, for the clear voice of the one who created the path.

And so I walk – precariously at times – with eyes and ears wide open, on the less traveled path.

Little Feet That Follow

I am entering the blogging world a little later than most.  A bit intimidated – there are so many great bloggers out there!  But I have been encouraged/challenged by many.  In fact, just today I was challenged by lyrics from a new song my brother in law is writing, “If a man won’t speak, do his thoughts matter?”

So, who are these little feet that follow?

They are mine – following Jesus, living in submission to his will, living as an example of his love, living in the gift of his grace

They are my children’s – after all, most of their day is spent following me around and about

They are those I have the privilege of journeying life with – sometimes we follow each other up and down paths, sometime we walk right beside each other

They are yours

We all follow something or someone. 

Who are we following? 

Where are they leading us?
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

John 10:27, words of Jesus