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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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June 13, 2017

Tied to the Rock

The wind was whipping around us as we were spinning and twirling through the yard.

Arms spread out, we laughed as dizziness set in before we tumbled into the lawn chair together.

She wrapped her little arms around my neck, snuggled in tight and said,

“Don’t let me blow away mommy!”

It was one of those moments in life where you wish you could stop time. You long for a way to bottle it up so you won’t ever forget how soft her skin feels against yours. How her little fingers played with your hair as we sat quietly together.

And my heart began to ache.

Ached because I knew that this moment would be over all too quickly.
Ached because I knew that soon she would not fit so perfectly in my lap.
Ached because I knew that the winds of life would toss and turn her and that I wouldn’t always be there to block their force as they tried to “blow her away”.

But, there are no magic bottles for collecting moments.

No spells to be conjured up in an attempt to stop time. Just as a strong wind pulls and tugs at a boat tied to the dock, this world will try to pull her away from the security of being tied to our “dock”.

And even the strongest of docks have been known to be pulverized by gale force winds and boats tossed and turned like plastic toys in a bathtub. So I pray for wisdom, protection, guidance.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:5-6

What if instead of being tied to the dock, her boat was tied to a rock.

 

THE rock.
The only One that can withstand those hurricanes of life.
Immovable.
Unshakeable.

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.” Psalm 18:2-3

Because, no matter how much I want to believe that she will find enough security tied to the dock that is our family, I know that there are some things I cannot protect her from.

Things that we can’t predict and are beyond our control.

So, we too tie our rope to the Rock, trusting that He will take care of her.

Protect her.
Strengthen her.
Guide her.

And as we sit in that chair together on that warm summer day, she has no idea of the thoughts running through my head. She just innocently waits for my reply.

So, I tell her the only thing she needs to hear right in that moment.

“I won’t let you blow away sweetie!”

Vanessa signature

4 Comments Filed Under: Devotionals, Faith, Family, Good Thoughts Tagged With: Faith, Family, God

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Comments

  1. Teresa @ LostMuleLodge.com says

    June 13, 2017 at 3:41 AM

    So beautifully stated.

    Reply
  2. Karen Hobson says

    June 13, 2017 at 6:51 AM

    So many storms of life roll through as our children get older. Unfortunately, we can’t protect them from it all – and sometimes shouldn’t. Instead, we need to teach them to be bendable, flexible and able to withstand the gales BECAUSE they are tied to THE Rock. Tethered to the Solid Rock is the only sure way to be tossed and turned but not blown away.

    Reply
  3. Rose L. says

    June 13, 2017 at 10:27 PM

    If we lean on him he will support us. He speaks in whispers and we must be open to hear him.

    Reply
  4. Julie Briones says

    June 16, 2017 at 11:01 AM

    Very comforting post, Vanessa. Thank you!

    Reply

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Welcome June! I’m so glad you’re here! What’ Welcome June! I’m so glad you’re here! What’s your favorite thing about this month? Mind can be summed up in this quote…

“In early June the world of leaf and blade and flowers explodes, and every sunset is different.” John Steinbeck
“No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom “No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.”
General Douglas MacArthur

Grateful today and every day for those who were vigilant to the point of death in the preservation of our freedom and the principles upon which our country was founded. May we honor their sacrifice by being vigilant too. #memorialday
I’ve been on the lookout for small side tables t I’ve been on the lookout for small side tables to pit next to our outdoor couch and when I spotted these plant stands at @walmart from their @betterhomesandgardens line I knew they would be perfect…and they are!! 👏🏻 This is not a sponsored post. I’m just happily sharing this great find and why we should always be open to thinking outside of the box when it comes finding solutions for our decorating dilemmas.

Now we’re ready to head into this beautiful weekend! ☀️
What do you do when you want to use a bunch of boo What do you do when you want to use a bunch of books in your decorating but it can cost $50 or more for just ONE brand new book? Head to the secondhand bookstore of course! I’m so excited about this new look in my family room and this easy, inexpensive decorating tip I’m bringing to you for this #tiptuesday
Today feels like one of those days that is worthy Today feels like one of those days that is worthy of a chef’s kiss. Blue sky with nary a cloud in sight, perfect mid-70’s temps, a gentle breeze blowing through my hair as I walk around my yard to see the status of my flowering plants.

This morning I was running errands and the weight of hard things that are happening in the world, the culture, my own community and even in our circle of friends just felt so heavy.

But, as I was exiting a store, I passed a couple who were in their late 60’s/early 70’s and holding hands as they walked through the parking lot. I happened to glance over just as the husband lifted his wife’s hand up and planted a kiss right on it. It was a moment that reflected such love and tenderness and it was made sweeter by the fact that they weren’t spring chickens. I felt honored that I had been the one to observe and appreciate that moment.

What an incredible thing it is that as humans we are able to hold so many emotions in our souls all at once. To feel sorrow for the pain a friend is enduring, grieve the decline of a culture drifting further from the Lord, ponder how to navigate a challenging school situation, marvel at and enjoy the beauty of creation right outside my door and feel joy at getting to see a tangible example of lasting love while walking through a parking lot.

I truly believe that as we mature in our lives and in our faith, we learn to embrace the tension that comes with the collision of different emotions and recognize that they can all coexist at the same time without one taking something away from another. Simple joys make the hard stuff a bit easier and hard stuff makes us appreciate those simple joys even more.

What’s a simple joy that you are thankful for today?
Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here are some highlights…

*Friday night I joined some wonderful ladies at church for a time of fellowship and yummy desserts. I made a strawberry lemon coffee cake and it was amazing if I do say so myself. ☺️ We are new-ish to this church and have just felt so warmly welcomed and folded in which has been very healing.

*Saturday was filled with getting our outdoor spaces spiffed up and my guys got our new table put together!

*Sitting outside for lunch with a yummy salad and iced tea felt like a little slice of heaven.

*Sunday we went to the iris gardens with my in-laws and then came home for naps and the most mouth watering ribs that my sweet husband had on the smoker all day.

*This glorious weekend ended with some ferocious rounds of UNO-corn (a hilarious version of UNO) and brownies my sweet daughter made for our dessert.

How was your weekend sweet friends? 🌸
I am absolutely and completely a better version of I am absolutely and completely a better version of myself when the sun is shining! Raise your hand if this is true for you too.

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If you’d like the link to order them, just leave a comment with the word ‘bottles’ and I’ll send it your way. They’re even on sale right now! 🙌🏻
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Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka.

Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

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Have the lilacs started blooming where you live?
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