Thursday, August 10

Our Souls are Happy in the Woods

I'm not the kind of mom who likes to get away from the house everyday. I enjoy being home, and I've always been an indoor girl. I was the girl who sat in her bedroom playing school during summer vacation. So I thank God for giving me boys. Messy, loud, busy boys. I hope to grow an appreciation for the outdoors as I strive to let them be boys. And that means getting them (and myself!) outside more often. 



If there's one thing I've learned this summer, it's the importance of spending time in nature. It's where we've made our best memories so far. Nature feeds your soul. You can literally feel it once you're there. We've found our favorite places this summer, and they are the woods, the creeks, and bike paths with plenty of wildlife surrounding them. My mama heart feels at ease when I can take them somewhere and let them be boys!



Since our house is in the city, with a fairly busy street near our front door, we have no choice but to keep them within the boundaries of their backyard. And there is so much to explore back there in that small space alone! I just ordered a nature book called, "100 Backyard Activities: That are the Dirtiest, Coolest, Creepy-Crawliest Ever!" by Colleen Kessler, and it's great for exploring and learning in the backyard, but we've been exploring nature away from home once or twice a week. 



It takes my mind off the messy house, and that alone is like therapy. Running down a hill with the boys, getting my hands dirty, observing and smelling flowers, collecting leaves and sticks, laughing, -- they all play a huge part in helping me relax and forget about the petty little things that felt huge within the four walls of our little home. 

"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be." -- Anne Frank

It has a way of turning a weary day around. Stepping away from the busyness of life to enjoy what God made for us. Life should be about slowing down to enjoy God's creation with our children. All things we see in nature point back to Him.



We cannot visit the woods without bringing something home for their nature box. Last week it was a handful of walnuts, and each boy took turns breaking them open with a meat tenderizer and butter knife on our back steps. It was quite an adventure as they saw more and more of the walnut's insides as pieces broke off! How easy it is to learn new things every day when you're willing to explore. 






Each time we visit the woods, there are always new things to see. The vast tree heights and depths keep it feeling adventurous each time. With so much to see and explore, I cannot help but think of its Creator. 

"Then God said, 'Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.' And that is what happened. The land produced vegetation—all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds produced plants and trees of the same kind. And God saw that it was good." (Genesis 1:11-12)


"Then God said, 'Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.' And that is what happened. The land produced vegetation—all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds produced plants and trees of the same kind. And God saw that it was good." (Genesis 1:11-12)

Our souls are happy in the woods. 

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
    let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
    let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.



Tuesday, August 8

Mama's Morning Bible Time


I'm not a morning person, and I never have been. I like sleep and would prefer to wake when my body feels like it. But in these last few months, I've come to appreciate the beauty and stillness each morning offers before the little boys have awakened.

The first thing I like to do is put on my robe. It's just cozy and keeps me warm as I enter the coolness of our home. Then I like to open all the curtains in the kitchen to let in the morning light. Just so beautiful that is! Even on a cloudy day, it shows God's grace for a new day.

Turn on the coffee maker, make some coffee. Pick up my bible and sit at the kitchen table. I try my best to clean the kitchen before bed so that the kitchen is clean and ready for the day. It's welcoming to wake up to a clean kitchen table, plus it just gives the morning a good head start!

And I will admit I've only actually experienced this special mama-morning-bible-time a handful of times, since I'm still in the season of nursing. I've preferred to just be woken by my youngest, as he asks for "sheesh" one last time around 6 am, which then leads to his little eyes opening and then the happy chattering :)

So we usually just get out of bed together; open the curtains, make some coffee and then save my bible reading for breakfast time with my three little boys. I've been reading a chapter out-loud each morning from the book of Proverbs, and my oldest has been willing to sit still and listen through an entire chapter! 

Since summer has begun, mornings have been more lazy and drawn out. I think it's good to appreciate summer for what it is, and enjoy heading straight outside after breakfast instead of worrying about chores or making the beds right away. The boys usually head right outside before getting dressed. Summer is a sweet, wild and free season to cherish :)