• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

June 22, 2013

At a Snail’s Pace

It seems that all summer long my life revolves around one word.

Watering.

For the most part, I actually really enjoy having this job. There is just something so therapeutic about watching the watering can slowly fill up.

I haul it all around the yard and convince myself that this must count as exercise. Unless I have a little person offering to help mommy with this task, I’m usually by myself. And, standing over the plants, offering them much needed hydration, I relish the quiet. I do some of my best thinking and praying while I’m watering.

But, on one particular morning, I was in a hurry to just get it done.

It was getting to that point in the late summer when the watering starts to get tedious.

I hurried out the back door, scooped up the watering can and headed for the faucet.

As I crossed the lawn, I noticed a snail working its way across the grass.

Snail3

Now normally, around our house, snails and slugs are only seen as enemies which must be destroyed lest they destroy our garden.

But, I was feeling benevolent that morning so I left it alone.

And besides, it was heading away from the garden, not towards it!

As I went about my watering routine, I kept checking back to see how the snail was progressing on its trek across our yard.

Every time I glanced over I was surprised by how much farther along it was.

I mean, it was a snail after all. They’re not known for their speed!

If I stood and watched it, it seemed to be moving so slowly.

But, if I went away and came back, the snail seemed to have covered quite an impressive distance, considering it was a snail.

Snail1

I wondered if it was being intentional about its goal of reaching the bark just beyond the grass. Could it “see” the final destination or did it just know that it needed to keep moving forward.

And, in that moment, I saw myself in that snail. Now, that is something I never thought I would relate to! But, there it was, inching its way along.

That snail reminded me of where I am currently on my faith journey.

You see, there are things in life that propel us forward very quickly.

Loss, trauma, tragedy, grief.

When these things occur, we are forced to jump ahead.

Snail2

We rapidly come to new understandings about God and His plan for our lives.

I’ve had these kinds of occurrences in my own life.

Things which have caused my faith to grow by leaps and bounds.

They may have been painful, but they certainly contributed to a deeper connection with my Savior.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers (and sisters!), whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking any wisdom.”

James 1:2-4

But, most of the time, I feel like that snail.

Snail4

Inching my way along.

In this season of my life, I’ve traded leaps and bounds for something slower…more steady.

Between the peaks and valleys of life there are often plateaus.

Times when we aren’t experiencing extreme highs or low.

When we are just dealing with the day in and day out stuff of life.

It doesn’t mean that there isn’t movement, though.

Just like that snail, I continue towards my destination…to be more like Christ.
It seems like I’m moving so slowly and yet if I look back I can see just how far I’ve come.

On this nondescript summer day I found myself rooting for a snail.

As it got closer and closer to the edge of the lawn, I willed it to keep going, keep trying, keep pressing on. I so admired it’s dogged determination.

When it finally made it to the edge of the grass and onto the bark I wanted to let out a cheer!

You did it little snail!

Snail5

But then, it just kept on going.

Maybe the bark wasn’t the final destination after all.

Maybe the snail knew that the real goal wasn’t so visible….so easily attained.

And so, like that snail, I continue on towards my goal.

There will be more peaks and valleys along the way.

But there will be even more plateaus.

And in those times when it seems like I am only just inching along, I will remember the snail.

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:13-14

 1553F4F30A9801A6AFB3E9C624118E7B

10 Comments Filed Under: Devotionals, Gardening Tagged With: devotions, Faith

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Chalkboard Outdoor Coffee Table
Next Post: Budget Friendly Bathroom Makeover Wall Art »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bonnie Powell says

    June 22, 2013 at 9:12 PM

    I really liked this story and it is so “spot on” for most of us. We do have things that push us along, but most of us live our lives as you said. Thanks for noticing that snail!!!

    Reply
  2. Jackie Adams says

    June 23, 2013 at 4:49 AM

    Hi Vanessa,
    Great storytelling! I’ve been through those traumas and tragedies and rejoiced in the closeness I felt with God. Then, when I reached the plateau I was so relieved. Until I’d been there for a while and wondered where that closeness went. Realizing both seasons have their challenges. During the first, walking with God is effortless, it just happens. During the quiet times it’s hard work. I’ll try to remember the snail. Thanks for sharing : )

    Reply
  3. Janet Murray says

    June 23, 2013 at 9:03 AM

    What a beautiful blog. Really makes you think. Today everything is in fast mode. We really do need to slow down and listen to God talking to us. In nature the animals live every day for God and do what he intended for them to do. Unlike us humans who do what we want to do. We need to be more like nature. God bless you

    Reply
  4. Jill Flory says

    June 23, 2013 at 11:39 AM

    Well said Vanessa! I lose sight of the goal so often and I need to just keep moving forward even when I can’t see what’s ahead and know that the goal is there and is attainable no matter how slowly I feel I’m moving. thanks so much for sharing Vanessa!

    Reply
  5. debbiedoos says

    June 23, 2013 at 2:56 PM

    Isn’t something how something such a snail can consume us in our thoughts. It is so true, and I sometimes feel like a snail myself. Very well said Vanessa, and the snail is pretty cute.

    Reply
  6. Anita @ Cedar HIll says

    June 23, 2013 at 5:13 PM

    Vanessa, lovely story!! How many years have I been the snail, and now my life is moving fast like a train. It is amazing how there are seasons in your life, and how different each season is. Having said all that I have to admit I am having a blast these days and I hope that you are enjoying this snail season of your life. Enjoy it; I doubt it will last long.

    Reply
  7. MDR says

    June 23, 2013 at 8:40 PM

    Beautifully said, Vanessa! Love you, Mom

    Reply
  8. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    June 24, 2013 at 11:30 AM

    Ilove this analogy, Vanessa! The important thing is to keep on working at it and every day brings new mercies that help us along… thanks for sharing!
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  9. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    June 24, 2013 at 12:40 PM

    Vanessa, my Sunday Scripture is all about being holy and sanctification… just what you are talking about!

    I’m certainly a snail… slow and steady. I think most of us are snails… a whole army of holy snails moving slowly to our heavenly home!!! Let’s walk along together!!! I sure hope I get to meet you this side of heaven!!!!

    Reply
  10. Ellen says

    June 25, 2013 at 8:17 AM

    Wonderfully put & love the readings. Very appropriate & personally timely.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to MDR Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Take the Quiz

Stay updated!

Get all the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Must Reads

Recent Posts

  • Lessons From Growing Out My Bangs March 12, 2021
  • Painted Staircase Handrail Makeover March 4, 2021
  • A New French Country Dining Table February 3, 2021
  • Open Now December 17, 2020
  • Tradition and a Christmas Home Tour December 9, 2020

Get all the latest straight to your inbox

Footer

Instagram

I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 y I've been watching our cherry trees bloom for 12 years now and every year I ohhhh and ahhhh over the blossoms like it's the first time I've ever seen them. I gush and I take photos (that look exactly like the ones I took the year before and the year before that) and I make my family come outside and look at them with me which you know they just LOVE to do. 😉 I think that is one of the main reasons why I love spring so much. On the one hand, it's predictable and yet, on the other hand, it still feels like such a surprise after the long months of barren branches.

And yesterday, as I was staring at the gorgeous blossoms for the umpteenth time, I couldn't help but think that I hope this is how I feel when our lives return to some semblance of normalcy.

I hope that the predictable feels special and that the typical feels anything but. I hope that I ohhh and ahhh over the simple things I've realized I've taken for granted. And, most of all, I hope that feeling doesn't go away for a very, very long time! 💗
Are you living with great expectation friends? Bec Are you living with great expectation friends? Because He is risen!

Happy Easter from my home to yours!
Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to Lemon bars all ready for tomorrow! It’s going to be a different kind of Easter for sure but some things don’t change. Have you been baking and getting ready for tomorrow? What’s one thing on your menu that you have to have every year?
If this is Good Friday, why doesn’t it feel so “good”? It all seems backward doesn’t it?

What could be good about the unspeakable pain he suffered? What could be good about the shame and betrayal?

Easter Sunday is so joyful, bright and cheery. Shouldn’t that be the day we call “good”? It just feels so much better!

But, I don’t know how to rejoice over His resurrection, unless I have felt the pain of His death. I have realized that in life the sweetest victories are the ones which were realized after a pain-filled journey.

And, so it is with Good Friday. I know there will be victory over death, but I can’t skip ahead in the story.

Jesus knew what was coming. He knew what he would experience. And he knew why he would go through it. He did it for me. He did it for you.

Do you know that? Have you felt it down in the very core of your soul? 
Sometimes it makes me squirm a bit. Why would anyone do that for me?

Well, because, I can’t do it for myself!

There is nothing I can do to earn that kind of love and mercy.

That is why it is called GRACE.

His grace is freely given. We don’t have to pay for it. He paid the price for us already.

Do you remember that movie from years ago called “Ransom”? A couple’s young son was kidnapped and the parents went to hell and back trying to find him and pay the “ransom” demanded by the kidnappers.

Well, Jesus is our “ransom”. (1 Timothy 2:6) His life was the payment.

Why is it called “Good Friday”? Because that wasn’t the end of the story….
.
…It was just the beginning!
Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house Raise your hand if there’s a table in your house that’s become the landing zone for ALL THE THINGS! 🙋🏻‍♀️🤪 I’ve never been more thankful for our rarely used dining room table as it’s become command central for school books and laptops and games.

Where are things collecting in your house right now?
“Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every si “Sighing, tears, frustration, anger.” Every single one of these emotions has made their way through our home in recent days and, my guess is, they have in your home too.

I SO needed this reminder today from the new book ‘Adore’ by @sarahagertywrites.

Adoration isn’t just sitting at His feet gazing longingly with stars in my eyes. It’s bringing my fears and my sorrows and gray roots in my hair that desperately needs to be colored and my messy house and all of the things that threaten to send me over the edge right now and laying them down before Him, soaking up His word and His presence so that when I stand back up, I am changed for having spent the time adoring the ONE who is... Healer, comforter, peace-giver, deliverer, redeemer.

What do you need to bring to Him today? I’ll share mine in the comments and I’d love to hear from you too!
I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole I’ve always loved evenings, but since this whole lockdown thing began, I’ve come to appreciate this time of day even more.

It feels the most...normal. Daytime is strange and foreign right now. My husband has taken over our home office, I’m suddenly taking over the responsibility of managing my kids’ distance learning and let me just say that teaching 7th grade algebra to my daughter is hugely ironic since I struggled with math all the way through school. I’m trying to do my own work but it feels utterly futile with the constant interruptions which take precedence right now. In the daytime, I’m constantly reminded of how upside down life feels.

But, in the evening, I cook dinner like I’ve always done and we gather around the table like we’ve always done and we laugh and tell stories and then clean up and play games or go on a walk or watch a show. And that feels SO gloriously normal.

So now I love evenings even more than I ever did before and I’m so grateful for this little chunk of time where the rhythms we established years ago are helping to sustain us now when so much of life feels outside of our control.

What feels ‘normal’ to you right now? Whatever it is, keep doing it. 🌿
When I was in college I would frequently call home When I was in college I would frequently call home and pour my heart out to my mom, sharing with her all that was happening in my life in that completely unfiltered way that you can talk with the person who potty trained you. These phone calls usually took place at night and my mom would patiently listen as I vented frustrations about professors, roommates, boyfriends and the food in the cafeteria. And, inevitably, they would end with my mom saying, “Everything seems worse when you’re tired. Try not to overthink things or make any major decisions tonight, especially when you are feeling emotional.” Dear friends, may I pass along this advice to you today?

If you don’t absolutely HAVE to make a decision right now, I want to encourage you to wait until life gets back to normal. If you are finding yourself over-analyzing relationships and family dynamics, I want to encourage you to remember that everything seems more dramatic when looked at under a microscope. And, let’s face it, being homebound with our loved ones non-stop makes us all feel like lab rats in an experiment.

If you are tempted to quit a job, start a business, start homeschooling permanently, stop homeschooling permanently, move to a new city, buy a farm, quit pursuing your dream, join a commune or make any other major life decision just…wait. Because, if it is in fact the right decision, it will be made even clearer once our lives return to their ‘regularly scheduled programming’. Instead, in this strange season, let’s all just take a deep, collective breath and let it out slowly, releasing the anxiety that threatens to overtake us. Let’s help each other maintain some perspective and not slip into a posture of over-thinking every little thing in our lives. Let’s remember that the enemy of our souls would love nothing more than to use this time when things feel dark to manipulate us into thinking that aspects of our lives are worse than they actually are.

My prayer for you in these days is that you will have the clarity to know what is true and that you will be filled with peace even while we live in this season of so many unknowns.
Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking thes Raise your hand if you’re doing more baking these days! 🙋🏻‍♀️ I’m trying to avoid gaining the #corona15 but my daughter and I LOVE baking together and it does help to pass the time plus it counts as a science lesson right?

If you’re able to find flour in the stores (for the love people please stop overbuying!) and you’re doing more baking at your house too you need to add this apricot bread to your list of new recipes to try!

Normally I’d point you to my blog for the directions but I’m going to do you a solid and leave the full recipe in the comments.

What have you baked so far during this time of social distancing? I’d love some new ideas!
There are a LOT of people out walking in our neigh There are a LOT of people out walking in our neighborhood right now (but still social distancing!) and she decided that she wanted to bring them some joy and put a smile on their face when they pass by our house. Also, the square with ‘say no to coronavirus’ is priceless. 😂 I just love her so much!
Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2021 At The Picket Fence