Lessons from the River

Finally! a few days off. I didn't think I would make it. I have never longed for some time as I did this week. After 6 months with my new job I was wearing down. Brain overload, physical overload ,and bad attitude over load! Back to that whole feeding the soul thought........it was time. Time to chill out, take a break and spend some time in nature
. Mr. Poling and I had looked forward to a weekend adventure on the river. Some friends extended the invitation to join them, and several other UPS employees that were looking for a get away on the Niangua River, close to Bennett Springs State Park. We said " sign us up".We have looked looked forward to the trip all winter.
Yesterday was the big day and we arrived early to the canoe rental and camp ground. Upon our arrival I noticed how things seemed, well, different since my last float trip. I wondered was it me, or are things really that different? By the end of our day on the river, I had my answer. It was ME..................and things had in fact changed a lot !!
Let me explain. When we arrived to the canoe rental/campground there were several groups gathered together anticipating the bus ride to the "put in". Our group was a more seasoned group, shall we say........okay, okay.......a more senior group would be more accurate. There were several young people who sat in clusters drinking massive amounts of alcohol and drinking it as quickly as possible for that mega buzz they longed for, using filthy language that would make a sailor blush, and sharing the stories of what they might look forward to on the river, much of which included their large supply of" beads". As I stood and observed this "breakfast of champions" as they referred to it, I had a feeling of sadness. I could see them as "our" sons and daughters. They longed for significance and to be noticed by their peers.What ever it took, they were willing to do.It wasn't an issolated case. It was every where we looked. I instantly felt old, a bit like a relic, as did the rest of our group. We all agreed that we were more than happy to have the years of experience under ( some over) our belts, and did a little prophesying about the way the day would end and well, as you can imagine, we were right. It was pretty ugly for most. One young man in particular was hanging on to the raft, with the help of his friends, while he lost the contents of his breakfast for most of the 10 miles.It ws ugly. Some went to jail vai the waterpatrol that had many officers watching the river . Many just passed out to be floated down stream while their buddies made sure they got back alive. I got to have a conversation with this young man at the end of our day and I asked him what his plans were now that he graduated high school. He said " wow, dude. I really don't know". I wasn't surprised. I could see the void in his eyes and his soul. It reminded me of the value of what I do. So many faces on the river just like his. Jesus could change his world. ROCK his world, for suchgreater purpose.It was a nudge from God that said" keep pluggin away, these kids matter to me and to you."

When Rick and I got into our canoe I asked him to just tell me what he wanted me to do. Paddle on the left, the right whatever. His reply was to take my Orr out of the water and put it in the canoe and let him be my captain. I agreed reluctantly. It seemed like I would be lazy not to "help". He assured me that it would be fine, and reminded me that it worked better with one person making the quick decisions on the river.Every ship has one captain he said. He said "trust me" and I did. We had a wonderful time. Much of the day was spent watching our friends, one by one chase the contents of their canoes down the river, and yelling at one another for the stupid choices that they made while they both tried to steer their canoe. Hmmmmmmmmmm. Very interesting.

. It rained on us most of the day, but we didn't care. We dressed for "wet" anyway.We were one of the few that didn't dump and one of the few couples that still liked each other when we arrived back at the camp. I think Rick philosophy about having one captain of a ship is worth noting. We made it back to our evening gathering. Some still angry. Some not speaking and the rest of us laughing and telling stories from the day on the river. As I sat listening to everyone, it occurred to me that when you chose to get into the boat the first thing you must decide is who will be that captain, and then you must trust in that decision. As a Christan we all make the decision to get into the boat and riding where ever Christ takes us. Letting him be our captain. is the only way. He will give us safe passage and grow us in maturity along the way, giving us the opportunity to serve Him and who ever he brings our way. Trusting in your captain allows you to relax and leave tough stuff to him. Be sides, every time we try to take over, we mess up, and we spend lots of time trying to "chase our stuff".
I can say that all the years in between where I am and the place where the young man I spoke with on the river has taught me much. I know where I am going from here, I know who my captain is, and I know that I can trust Him where ever He takes me.
Ahhhhhhh, its good to be old!

Look at all these weeds!

Look at all these weeds........that's was my thought as I looked at my garden. It is filled with all kinds of beautiful perennial flowers, and now weeds!I have been feeding, watering and tending to these beauties for years now and in a few short days, with all the wonderful mix of rain and sunshine, I NOW HAVE LOTS OF WEEDS.UGH! I have not been spending time in my garden as life has been so busy. As I started the weeding this morning, this fabulously beautiful morning, I started drawing a connection to the fact that when I don't tend to my garden the weeds come, the beauty of the flowers become lost behind the weeds, and the overall appearance isn't the same. So is true with a christian when they don't tend to their souls. Spiritual tending. Time with Jesus, reading the Word, worship(both private and corporate). The weeds begin to grow and separate us from the beauty that hides beyond them. We become frustrated,short tempered, self-absorbed, less than kind, prideful and sometime even arrogant. The Holy Spirit no longer can lead. We want to lead. We have better ideas. When you find yourself experiencing this, stop and ask yourself.........have I been tending to my soul?
Hey, when its time to weed, weed! Get rid of all that junk that's steals the beauty from your garden /soul. It will take over eventually if you don't. Galatians 5:22 it speaks about the Holy Spirit controlling our lives and the fruits of the spirit. You get fruit or you get weeds. Check your garden /soul. Tend to your garden, and tend your soul and enjoy the beauty that life has to offer.

There is plenty of room for Jesus in K-2 !

One of my favorite sayings has become" there is plenty of room for Jesus ". I usually say that when I feel like "I" don't have things under control and therefore there is room for Jesus to show up and take care of things. He ALWAYS shows up!
This weekend was another weekend of lots of our wonderful volunteers traveling and spending time "doing" summer with their families,and many were gone from their spots here in K-2. Every Saturday afternoon I start getting those little butterflies in my stomach as the cell phone begins to light up and on the other end I hear the dreaded words" somethings come up", but no matter who calls and who cancels, I hear the quiet wisper of Jesus saying to me " this is my concern, these are my sheep, I will provide". It's a constant reminder that this is about His competence and not mine. And He does what he says He can do, day after day, weekend after weekend. This wekend was no exception. The lesson was incredible , thanks you Chris Conner and Vergil, and the all the other volunteers. You are amazing ! We had several pop in to see if we needed help and we did. The children came like little sheep and once again they were feed well. Thank you volunteers , and most of all, thank you Jesus!
We are learning about humility. Something we all need to work on. Kids and adults alike are learning to put others first. "U first" has been our focus. I am reminded that "Jesus first" is the key to humilty. Its not about me its always about Him.
Now on to prepare for the next time we get to feed His sheep..........

My First Day on the Blog Scene....

My first day on the blog scene began with a gentle nudge from my friend Stacey. I have thought little of blogging, mostly because I am such a random thinker, and to actually put my thought where others could read them, might seem , well, crazy! But after little prodding and help setting up my account..........here I go! Weeeeeeeeeee! See already I am having way too much fun.( I think its the Route 44 Cherry Limeaide hitting my bloodstream.) Thank you Stacey for sending me on my way and the look in your eye of "go for it girl". Sometimes we don't know that a little nudging one way or the other can help create an energy that effects change.Change that will now help to carry me into this new frontier of communication in which I have sat back on my heels and screamed................NO, I WON'T GO!........well ...MAYBE? .......Oh my......I'm here! applause!