"Self-sufficiency does not mean 'going back' to the acceptance of a lower standard of living. On the contrary, it is the striving for a higher standard of living, for food that is organically grown and good, for the good life in pleasant surroundings... and for the satisfaction that comes from doing difficult and intricate jobs well and successfully." John Seymour ~ Self Sufficiency 2003

Thursday 4 July 2013

Thought for Thursday 4 - Simple pleasures

When last did you enjoy a simple pleasure?  Something that costs nothing.  Something that everyone, if they are still young at heart, can enjoy?

I loved this e-mail which I received from a friend this week.
Heavy, dark, ominous clouds don't necessarily
mean that your day is going to be clouded, nor
need they be  potent sign of disaster -
they can also signify the potential of life giving water
spilling down from the skies above, and a chance
to have some innocent fun :)



NEED WASHING?

A little girl had been shopping with her Mum in Woolies (Woolworths / Walmart / Tesco).


She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence.

It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth that it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there, under the awning, just inside the door of the Woolies.

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day.

I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world.  Memories of running, splashing, so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

Her little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in, 'Mum let's run through the rain,' she said.

'What?' Mum asked.

'Let's run through the rain!' She repeated.

'No, darling, we'll wait until it slows down a bit,' Mum replied.

This young child waited a minute and repeated: 'Mum, let's run through the rain.'

'We'll get soaked if we do,' Mum said.

'No, we won't, Mum. That's not what you said this morning,'the young girl said as she tugged at her Mum's arm.

'This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?'

'Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, He can get us through anything! '

The entire crowd were completely silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one left. Mum paused and thought for a moment about what she would say.

Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

'Darling, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just need washing,' Mum said.

Then off they ran.


We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles.


They got soaked.

They were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.


And yes, I did.  I ran.  I got wet.  I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health.  But no one can ever take away your precious memories...


So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday.

To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.


I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN (OR WALK) THROUGH THE RAIN.




Take the time to live!

Keep in touch with your friends, you never know when you'll need each other...

 ...and don't forget to run in the rain! :)

And, to all my American followers, Happy Independence Day.

4 comments:

  1. Love it! And I guess we got "washed" last night too as most of us had wet bum's from a sudden shower.

    And we laughed too...

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    Replies
    1. Tami - isn't it funny how a simple thing like walking / running in the rain can lift one's spirits - even if one ends up wet :)

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  2. teehee Dani. thanks for sharing. i'll share this with you - i have always gone running in the rain. many years ago when i was living alone in my apartment, my next door neighbour, phil, knew i always went running in the rain. after i ran up and down the street for a good 20-30 mins i would come back and there would be a towel hanging off my doorknob - how sweet eh?

    then when i met jambaloney, i got him into running in the rain. whenever it rains we run around outside laughing, jumping in puddles, screeching like children, getting washed by God. it's almost like getting re-baptized, isn't it?

    anyway, the great thing about being here is that we run around in the rain naked. with no shoes on. it makes for some slips and spills and then you need to get washed again. we love it.

    your friend,
    kymber

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. kymber -LOL - have also jogged and walked in the rain, but never naked. Guess it makes sense though, that way you get washed all over... ;)

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