Summer Fun

Our family has been coming to the same stretch of Michigan sand every summer for 68 years. Although the dimensions of the beach change each year based on the depth of the lake, one beach feature has always been there: the creek.

The creek emergesAs kids we played endlessly in Deer Creek, a shallow, moving mini-river of water flowing mysteriously out of dark woods into Lake Michigan. Despite summers when algae grew on its surface or bark turned the water brown, nothing could keep us out of it.

If we left the beach and followed the creek into its deep woods we would find treasure beneath the water: minnows, sparkle-rocks and best of all, gray clay. During the carefree days before we hit the double-digit years, we were sure this clay was the key to flawless beauty. Working carefully on ourselves and each other to cover every square inch of exposed skin, we’d emerge from the woods looking like a potter’s wheel had gone berserk.

In the 1950’s, creek mosquitoes were so thick we often resembled measle-infected kids. Regardless, we followed the creek as far as we could, thinking it “went forever.” Sometimes wild winds knocked trees down, creating perfect bridges. We’d run back and forth, competing to see who could cross the fastest before mis-stepping and crashing into the water. During moments of rest, we’d straddle the “bridge” and talk for hours, sharing childhood secrets. Our parents let us roam, never nervous over our safety. Such freedom is a perk today’s children don’t often enjoy.

Deer CreekLast summer Jack and I had a carefree adventure of our own. Since the creek flows through the woods behind our cottage, we decided to walk home from the beach in its water. Between fallen trees, slippery rocks, tangled roots, and low-hanging branches, we barely made it. But I felt like a kid again, and it was worth the effort.

There aren’t many people following the creek these days. Parents need to keep a closer watch over their children, worrying about who else might be in the woods. (Thankfully there’s never been an incident nearby.) Maybe the kids are all on the internet or playing video games. Whatever the reason, they’re missing one of summer’s delights, not to mention a choice chance to learn about the Creator.

Exploring the features of Deer Creek is like nature’s summer school. Even studying the tiny body of a mosquito can teach children about God’s attention to detail and can initiate a special admiration for him. Although God can be appreciated for his part in the world of technology too, catching minnows in a beach towel or harvesting a bucket of sticky clay might be a superior route to getting acquainted with him.

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)

Trust Like a Tot

It was God’s delightful idea to make miniature people and send them to bigger people to raise, a phenomenal plan. And he intends for us big people to learn a great deal from the little ones.

To be a child is to be something spectacular, a person who exhibits innocence, submission, trustfulness. These characteristics are especially true in one-year-olds. I’m privileged to have two of them among my grandchildren, Nicholas, from England, and Skylar, from Florida. And it’s been my joy for the last couple of weeks to have Skylar staying at my address. (This is a re-post from June, 2010.)

I’ve never known a more enthusiastic person than this one-year-old. She’s up for anything, which includes trying strange foods, meeting new people, petting any animal, and swimming in Lake Michigan. When others are hesitant, Skylar is eager.

DIGITAL IMAGEThe other day Klaus was enjoying Skylar at the beach, asking her if she wanted “to fly.” Of course she did, and he began throwing her as high as his arms could do it. She squealed with laughter, never doubting for an instant he’d catch her securely every time. Klaus ran out of energy long before Skylar ran out of wanting to be tossed.

The picture we snapped that day exemplifies perfect trust. Skylar’s face is devoid of worry, and she’s able to take pleasure in an event that actually has the potential to turn out badly for her. She knows how it feels to get splashed in the face or get water up her nose but isn’t thinking of those “what ifs.” Instead she’s trusting all things will work together for good. Have we heard that someplace before?

For those of us who are God’s children, our relationship with him is based on trusting him 100% without injecting doubt by unnecessary “what ifs.” We trust the Gospel to be true (see John 3:16) and strive to base our lives on trusting God the Father and Jesus the Son, one-on-one. But there’s the rub: we strive.

We think, “What if he looks away and doesn’t catch me? What if I plunge under water? What if he doesn’t act on time? What if he catches me but the landing hurts? What if I’m too heavy for him to hold me tight?”

Here’s a better what-if than all of those: “What if we could all trust God like one-year-olds trust us?”

We’d probably all know how to fly.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Praising and Praying with Mary

  1. I praise The Lord for a relaxing weekend away from cities, noise and hospitals.
  2. Please pray for perseverance. I find myself dreading chemo-Mondays and Tuesdays more and more. Tomorrow is #7.

Happy Freedom

Patriotic FlowersThis weekend is all about red, white and blue. Mom trained us well, and we, in turn, trained our kids: dress patriotically even if it’s out of style, and yes, a Cubs shirt is just fine.

Our family, like many others, loves the colorful part of the holidays: red and pink for Valentine’s Day, yellow and purple for Easter, etc. Today it’s all about stars and stripes, flags and fireworks. Never mind that Nelson nearly lost his hand when a firecracker exploded too soon years ago. We still set them off with oooh’s and aaah’s after our hamburgers and baked beans.

But the 4th of July isn’t just about outfits and explosives. Yesterday I listened to a radio reading of the Declaration of Independence. Most of it is a list of the offenses suffered by the colonists under the rule of a British king. But the introduction and conclusion of the document describe the freedom these people craved. After paying the price of a bloody war, they finally won self-rule and independence. The 13 newly formed states became the beginning of our free nation.

Declaration of IndependenceIt’s interesting that the Declaration’s first section, The Preamble, includes what may be the most memorized sentence in our country. It’s the one that starts with, “We hold these truths to be self-evident…” God is mentioned as the Creator and humankind as “the created.”

Most interesting to me, however, is the end of this sentence that says the colonists believed all citizens had the right to pursue personal happiness. It further described what should happen to a government if that pursuit is thwarted: at a minimum, it should be altered, but if that doesn’t work, it should be abolished completely. A new government should be formed that “shall seem most likely to affect their safety… and happiness.”

I’m extremely thankful I live in the USA and can live within the freedoms mentioned in the Declaration of Independence. One of them is that I’m free to decide whether or not to make happiness a life objective. I don’t often wrestle with this, since putting myself last on the happy-list is difficult. On rare occasions when I do it, though, the strangest thing happens. Happiness results. It’s one of life’s thought-provoking illogicalities.

Today I’ve made an effort to count my blessings, and living in a free land is high on the list. I’m thankful for those who fought for my freedom and the 238 years American citizens have enjoyed its abundance. But the best freedom of all is my option to openly follow God’s recommendations for finding happiness. And his declaration, the Bible, trumps even the very important Declaration of Independence.

“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13)

Praising and Praying with Mary

  1. With great joy we announce grandbaby #11 arriving in January to son Andrew and wife Kim!
  2. I’m thankful for a safe and meaningful trip to Minnesota for the 4th of July.