Linking up today on http://www.fiveminutefridays.com
The prompt for 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes/Five Minute Friday is “discover”. I’m looking forward to seeing where that leads!
Time starts now!
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.”Psalm 23:1-2 (NIV) The Big Muskie Bucket
I used to be a “take the shortest, quickest route to get me there” kinda gal. Life was busy. My schedule full. I didn’t want to meander my moments away. Funny how time changes things! Now, you’ll find me on a quest to discover every two-lane back road to travel on, not worried about the minutes or miles it adds to the trip.
To visit my family in Michigan, we’ve driven on the highways through Ohio many times, but not long ago, my husband and I decided to take a jaunt on the country roads instead. Was it a slower trip? Yes! Take longer? Yep! Did we enjoy every minute? Most definitely! On that relaxed journey we delighted in the fall countryside, the pristine farmland, and quaint small towns. We also discovered two extremes: the smallest church in Ohio and the Big Muskie Bucket! To this day, that leisurely , scenic drive is one of our fondest memories!
My grandparents always told me that the older you get, the faster time goes by. They weren’t kidding! Life still get busy and my schedule full, but I’m learning to slow down in the midst of it all to discover and savor the gifts God is presenting me in those moments! Maybe it’s as simple as the smile of a stranger, light reflecting on the dew, a leaf twirling on the breeze, or as precious as a grandchild’s touch: things we easily miss when we focus on our shortest, quickest route to take us from one day to the next. We can’t go back but I wish I’d realized sooner that discovering the little things tucked inside the big things are much more important than the tasks on my to-do list. So now, big or small, I’m anxious to discover all God has in store for this “take it slower, enjoy the scenery, soak in the moments” kinda gal!
Oh I am learning to slow down as well…and, just like you, am finding it exciting and so worth the extra time!
Jennifer, I sure wish I’d learned to slow down long ago but glad I am able to appreciate the ‘back road’ kind of pace now. It is most definitely worth the extra time! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it more than you know, Cindy
cindy, i enjoyed your post:) this was fun to read and remember some of our trips. our drives to grandparents usually were rather long trips…from FL or TX to WI or NC. as much as my husband would have enjoyed riding the back roads, we wanted to spend as much time with family, so only got to spend time on back roads while we were visiting in WI (where he was from) or NC, where my mom lived during some years and FL (when we lived in TX!) It was always fun seeing what was there on those backroads however…same, went for TX. we never knew when we would come on an interesting sale or shop. occasionally, we had time to shop.
nice to meet you today neighbor:)
Martha, we were just like your family and in a hurry to get to our destination and to visit as long as we could. I think growing older has helped me slow down a bit and find joy in the journey. It’s a lesson I wish I’d learned long ago! Thank you so much for taking your time to comment! It means more than you know, Cindy