Sabbatical Day 18

I just stepped in our camper. I'm a little soggy from today's shower. I can hear the pitter-patter of raindrops on the roof. But if you could see what I see outside my window, you'd be certain it's been snowing. 

White fuzzies have overtaken, floating overhead and swirling beneath my bike tires. They flit about the camper and have made the wooden bridge their pathway. It's not snow though. We're surrounded by sailing cottonwood tree seeds. 

It feels and looks as if we've taken up residence in a snow globe; nestled safely between mountains.  I'm quite certain if a giant took us in its hand and shook us, we'd stay  firmly in place just like the small fir tree fixtures and plastic snowmen in snow globes. 

It's seldom that I feel so secure. 

I didn't yesterday nor did I earlier this morning. 

Yesterday was "clothes washing" day. With the offer of a chili cheese dog, I got Hallie (our fifteen year old) to help with laundry. (The snack shack is a hop, skip and a jump away). 

Laundromats can make for deep conversation. Somehow our talk turned to the issue of sexual assault. It's no wonder with the Stanford and Baylor cases in the news that there's a heightened sense of danger. 

I switched from being light-hearted to serious in tone. I instructed Hallie (for the one-hundredth time) on how to keep herself from a situation where she might be taken advantage of.  

 It's not just Hallie I talk to concerning this matter. Hayden is near nineteen and still finds himself the victim of my lengthy speeches concerning the avoidance of pitfalls. 

 Hayden's headed back to Texas with my sister today. Monday he'll travel to my moms and then back to Nederland. I get anxious when he's traveling. Really, I get anxious anytime I'm separated from any of my chickadees ...or Jason. 

Geography and changing circumstances have a way of removing the cozy feel of snow globe life. 

Rylie just finished reading A Smart Girl's Guide to Middle School last night. I found it at a thrift store here. My pristine summer lifestyle is being interrupted by thoughts of challenges that lie around the corner...

Scary things, foreign things, lurk outside my delicate glass dome

Bad drivers Hayden may share the road with  

Upcoming situations that will distract my kids from their integrity

Unavoidable Heartache

Possible middle school bullies

Invitations to leave the snow globe

...these are things I'd like to keep out

This sabbath snow globe won't last forever, but it's provided a break, making the distressing and pressing more "light and momentary". Possible future troubles are in proper perspective. 

Like the winged invader that made its way in my sweatshirt this afternoon on my bike ride, we're not able to "keep out" all that's undesirable and frightening. We can just learn to put on our breaks and remove the unwelcomed the best we can. 

We can carry on, then, mindful that the big hand that holds this snow globe is the same that carried us through trouble before. The same strong hands hold our future days. 

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snareand from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge... Psalm 91