During September, I am joining with several of my bloggin' friends (Helen, Teresa, Charlotte, and possibly others) for the 2015 Blog-tember Challenge with Bailey Jean.
It was nearly midnight before I finished and published yesterday's post to introduce myself! I have only had time to read a couple of posts from yesterday; but will get busy - soon - reading! It is important to "connect"; and that is what I feel is the biggest advantage of following these links - the connection with other bloggers!
So...today the prompt is: Describe your ideal day. Where would you go and what would you do?
I'm pretty sure I wrote about my ideal day earlier this year; and maybe it would look a bit different now! My ideal day would be spent alone! No, I am not a loner; I love to spend time with my daughters and grandchildren...and my son and his family, when they are able to come for a visit.
I also enjoy spending time with my friends, usually scrapbooking or sharing ideas, eating and socializing, just being together and catching up with others' lives!
I enjoy the days when I am home and can just relax, do things as needed or take my time doing them. Afterall, the chores will be there when I get to them...in a day or two?! But, when I am home, I'm not alone! I don't find the quiet and the peace that I need so I can get my life "re-focused".
No, I think I'd like to find a quiet place; take a cooler filled with my old standby - Diet Pepsi or Diet Dr. Pepper. Not very nourishing; probably not the best for me...but I sure do love them! A few pretzels to go with the soda; maybe some cheese and fruit.
And, I can't leave home without the most important things: my journal(s) {depending on what I am writing about/for, I may need different journals!}; a pen, maybe some markers; maybe even some Washi Tape - I just used some to "fix" a rip in my "Gifts" journal made by the cat! Then, I'll include my Bible, probably just the one although I use a couple of different versions when I do my Bible reading at home...
OK, now that I have everything together, where would I go?
One day when I was very upset with my situation - with my husband and how he was "treating me" - I just started driving. I ended up driving to the beach road - A1A, if you're familiar with the beaches along the east coast of Florida...
And just kept driving further and further away from home. I considered stopping at the furthest point and finding a place to stay over-night and just give my husband something to ponder, not knowing where I was...well, needless to say, I didn't stay over-night; I turned around and made the trip back home...
And faced the battle when I arrived home!
Why did I include this? Well, I think that is where I would want to go...to the beach; a quiet spot where I could sit and reflect and pray and ponder and...listen for God's voice.
But, when I really stop and think about where I would go, there is an even better place where I can "sit and reflect and pray and ponder and...listen for God's voice."
And, it would require either an overnight stay or a long drive!
About an hour and a half from home, there is a beautiful place called The Retreat at Silver Springs (formerly called the Christian Church Conference Center). In the midst of trees and shrubs, walking trails and an obstacle course, a swimming pool and a craft shack...
There is a beautiful outdoor chapel where I could sit and just listen for God's voice!
Yes, I think I would drive to this special place and spend as much time as needed...and leave my "worries and cares and troubles and concerns" ...not just behind, but in the hands of the One who can completely wipe them away!
Yes, that is where I would go!
{Planning to drive to The Retreat... would require a little more to eat than the cheese and fruit; guess I'd better pack a sandwich or something more!}
Would you like to join me?
That sounds absolutely divine. I'd join you, but that would defeat the purpose of being alone I think! Sounds like a vacation for your soul. I understand why you need one. No matter how much you love them, care giving can sometimes wear you down.
ReplyDeleteYes, and there are times I need that "vacation for my soul" even away from my other family - daughters and grandchildren! - and my friends. Sometimes I just need to be alone with my thoughts and listen for His voice...BUT - I'd LOVE to have you join me, Teresa!! Or, anybody else that can help me clear my mind; we could sit a spell, sip our "whatever" drink, and just chat away!!
DeleteThanks for reading and commenting!
I love the way you described this, Barbara.
ReplyDeleteAs the walls close in, my ideal day is sharpened to a fixed point that is perhaps best described by Kipling, in his quatrain "The Convoy Escort" -
I was a shepherd to fools,
causelessly bold or afraid.
They would not abide by my rules.
Yet they escaped; for I stayed.
My ideal day would be saving one more life, and giving mine in the process. I don't want to die in bed.
Oh, Andrew! You are such an inspiration!! While I long for the alone-ness of ME and my selfish thoughts and wishes...here you are, "saving one more life, and giving..." That is the thing: you are a precious "giving" soul! And you give to us each and every time you write a post or make a comment.
DeleteThank you for taking the time to read my "stuff" and to comment; you inspire each and every time! Prayers always!
Beautifully written, Barbara....I would definitely like to join you there (and am hopeful I one day will be able to)...
ReplyDeleteOh, perhaps one day there will be a day when we will at least be able to join each other at a table and share a glass of "something" or a meal! Not all that "impossible"...but, in the meantime, you are welcome to join me in my dream!
Delete