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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

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January 15, 2012

Simply Sunday…The path



I made him promise to not go too fast.  I made him promise to stay where it was safe.  Not too high (I’m terrified of heights..like pass out and die of fear..afraid of heights) no steep hills, no crazy detours…you get the idea. And he said, “I promise I’ll watch out for you.”  So we headed off. 

Out on our four wheeling trip into the desert.

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We rode slowly as I acclimated to riding again.  He rode ahead and watched for cars coming over the hills when we were on roads.

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He scanned the horizon for cows and bulls (which get their entertainment from charging four wheelers riding through their grazing areas).

He rode side by side with me when he could have sped ahead, matching my slower speed.  And I felt comfortable and it was so much fun!

“Piece of cake!” I thought. “What was I nervous about?” I silently questioned myself.  It was sunny, the skies were beautiful and the weather was perfect.

We stopped at our destination. The Petroglyphs. No one quite knows how old they are…just that they are old. 

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No one knows who left them or exactly why.  They say there was a battle in the valley below.  Was it a burial spot.  A ceremonial structure.  Who left the drawings..what were they like?

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We discussed and pondered.  Sharing our ideas on what had happened at that spot so very long ago. Enjoying our stop along the path.  Talking, visiting, relishing each other’s company.

“Ready to head back?”, he asked. 

We followed the path back down.  Then he took a detour.  He headed into the dessert, along a wash.  A twinge of nervousness pricked at me.

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Now we could no longer ride side by side.  He had to go ahead to guide us along this narrow path. I sped up not to lose him from my sight.  I had NO IDEA where I was.  None. Nada.  He started to go faster.

The dust began to kick up from the dry desert floor.  I pulled my bandana up over my face.  Up through the wash and across the desert we trekked.  He took us over some hills and around a few sharp curves, the path getting narrower and narrower. 

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Cactus rose up on each side reaching out to grab our sweatshirts and jeans.  I could feel a moment of panic well up, but also exhilaration at the freedom and vastness of the terrain.  Not a soul in sight, no sign of civilization but the two of us.

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I watched his back as I rode behind him. Broad, strong, capable, confident.  “How does he know where he’s going?” the question kept popping up in my head.  “I would be so lost. I AM so lost!” I have no clue where we are, where to go…but he kept on. Riding boldly forward through that vastness.  “I trust him.” I whispered to myself..more than a few times.  “He knows where the path leads, and he loves me and as long as he is with me, I am safe.” 

And then…another voice whispered to me..quietly. softly.


“Just like ‘I’ am with YOU.” “Always…” “Through the wide open easy places.” “Through the narrow, rough, dry and scary places.”

“I am always here to guide you, direct you, challenge you, protect you.” 

And I relaxed.  I looked up to enjoy the wild, untamed beauty on my journey.


Knowing.

Knowing that my husband loved me more than life itself and would NEVER let anything harm me. 


Knowing that my Shepherd and Savior loved me more than life itself…and died for me…and would always be there to comfort, protect and guide me through the wide open smooth paths in life and through the narrow, rough, desolate paths in life.


“And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16

I am his bride.

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I am HIS bride.

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And they love me. Amen.

Thank you for joining me on this Simply Sunday…
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19 Comments Filed Under: Devotionals, Good Thoughts, Simply Sundays

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Comments

  1. Jen @ Creating with the J's says

    January 15, 2012 at 2:45 PM

    As I was reading through i was thinking of my comment. Now that I am done reading my comment has changed to Beautiful. What a beautifully written post! Enjoy this Sunday (and every day)

    Reply
  2. Karla Medina says

    January 15, 2012 at 2:52 PM

    Beautiful post and amazing photos. I truly enjoyed reading this. 🙂

    Reply
  3. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    January 15, 2012 at 3:08 PM

    Perfect post. Hugs, Marty

    Reply
  4. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    January 15, 2012 at 3:20 PM

    Happy Sunday Heather. You are blessed.

    Reply
  5. Tanya@takesix says

    January 15, 2012 at 3:26 PM

    Amen, Heather! Sinful humans that fail Him daily, yet He loves us! I am so grateful!

    We are starting a special series today on our “Take 5 with Kathy” Sunday posts. It is about how we as ladies compare ourselves to others and how Satan uses that to trap us. We are asking God to use Kathy’s thoughts and words in a powerful way to help ladies.

    Have a great week!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      January 15, 2012 at 10:48 PM

      Hi Tanya, so grateful as well for His love. Headed over to read Kathy’s post.

      Reply
  6. Susan (My Place to Yours) says

    January 15, 2012 at 3:33 PM

    Heather, I write this with misty eyes as I reflect on my own journeys of trust — both with my wonderful husband and my faithful God. The imagery you used is beautiful. May we never forget how very blessed we both are!

    Reply
  7. Katie says

    January 15, 2012 at 4:48 PM

    Great post! Looks like an amazing trip!

    Reply
  8. miss flibbertigibbet says

    January 15, 2012 at 6:13 PM

    Thank you for the blessing…
    Lorraine

    Reply
  9. Grammy Goodwill says

    January 15, 2012 at 6:53 PM

    All I can add is Amen.

    Reply
  10. Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made says

    January 15, 2012 at 6:55 PM

    How lovely . . . the scenery . . . the excitement and adventure and the love. What a beautiful picture of your life as the bride to your wonderful husband and your Savior. Made me tear up . . . my hubby is away for ten days and I especially missed him today.

    Reply
  11. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    January 15, 2012 at 7:28 PM

    Wonderful photos and post. My husband has shown me over the years a glimpse of how the Lord loves me. We(you and I) are truly blessed!

    Reply
  12. Thoughts for the day says

    January 15, 2012 at 8:25 PM

    I loved how you pulled in the ‘bride’ concept and also the whispered words, great writing and story… I do think my fear would have been high too.

    Reply
  13. Tanya Anurag says

    January 15, 2012 at 9:33 PM

    Very well written!

    Reply
  14. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    January 15, 2012 at 11:14 PM

    A most beautiful journey!

    Reply
  15. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    January 15, 2012 at 11:46 PM

    BEAUTIFUL post Heather!

    Reply
  16. Janet says

    January 16, 2012 at 12:25 AM

    Beautifully written important message

    Reply
  17. Elizabeth (Blue Clear Sky) says

    January 16, 2012 at 12:49 AM

    Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos and story! So very well written.

    Reply
  18. JOY 2 JOURNEY says

    January 16, 2012 at 2:18 AM

    Amen!

    Reply

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Yesterday on the way home from school I had the ra Yesterday on the way home from school I had the radio tuned to my daughter's favorite station and a song that was playing had a line in it that really stood out to me. It made reference to a 'season of the sticks' which I think its safe to say must mean winter. I thought that was such an accurate, albeiet kind of depressing, picture of this time of the year.

While we definitely have more than our fair share of evergreen trees here in Oregon, we also have plenty of trees and bushes that are reduced to sticks during the cold months. But, this morning as I looked out my kitchen window, greedily sipping from my mug of coffee, I marveled at the beauty of the winter sunrise. The sky was all pinks and oranges with frost on the rooftops and a little bit of fog. And, I realized that part of why it was so amazing is because I could see it more clearly through the sticks. The bare branches allowed me a view that I wouldn't be able to see if those same branches were covered in leaves. Being stripped down to almost nothing revealed something magnificent.

We have seasons of the sticks in our lives too, don't we? Times when we feel as though we've been stripped bare and left exposed. It's easy to think that this is a place where all is ugly and dark. And yet, just like the winter sunrise was more visible because of the bare branches, the vulnerability we feel in the winter season of our souls allows us to get a glimpse of beauty that we wouldn't see otherwise. In the lush, warm seasons it's so easy to become comfortable. But in the bare, cold seasons we recognize just how much we need to rely on the One who placed the stars in the heavens and is sovereign over all.

If you feel like your soul has been stripped bare and you've been left exposed and vulnerable, may I encourage you today to ask the Lord to help you to see the beauty in this 'season of the sticks'.

“Answer me quickly, O Lord! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:7
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It's honestly fairly representative of my state of mind these days as I can't seem to make the date on the calendar match the date in my spirit because it feels like it should be January 45th. Every year this month drags on and every year it seems to surprise me for some reason. In addition, my heart just feels heavy as I witness a lot of darkness and sadness around me. So, I'm choosing to control what I can control by making my house feel as cozy as possible, relishing the sunshine whenever it dares to peek through the clouds, gathering inspiration for warmer weather projects and, most importantly, resting in the comfort of the sovereignty of my Father.

“God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ So that everyone he has made may know his work..." Job 37:5-7
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The day after Christmas I found myself laundering The day after Christmas I found myself laundering and folding all of the linens we used the previous night as we hosted my husband's side of the family for dinner and other festivities. As I laid out each cloth napkin and folded them one by one, I couldn't help but be struck by what a simple, yet meaningful, task it was. It's such an honor and privilege to be the hostess and, at this stage of my life, I realize that this has almost one hundred percent become my role now. Our parents are in their 70's and have either downsized significantly or simply don't have the energy to take on hosting duties for a large group. I could resent this. I could feel overwhelmed by it. But, instead, I'm choosing to embrace it knowing that, someday, I too will pass the hosting torch and I hope that I will be welcomed with love and attentiveness. So, I fold the linen napkins, taking pleasure in the way all of the creases line up and how neat and tidy they look in the drawer of my dining room buffet. These seemingly simple chores are part of the lifeblood of homemaking and my attitude towards them can either be one of gratefulness or grumbly-ness (yes, I'm making up words now). 

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Here’s to beginnings. Happy new year friends! May you experience the majesty and sovereignty of the Lord in 2023 like never before! ✨
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