Girlhood Innocence

     The blissful days of childhood are sweet and fleeting, particularly in retrospect. At one point during the last summer, my friend and I planned a backyard sun day. Her son was busy elsewhere and my eldest daughter was at horse camp for the week. So we were evenly paired, she and I, our "swirty sisters," (The "swirty sisters" are an entire post in and of themselves.) and the "puppy sisters." It occurred to us at one point that a stroll down our quiet, dirt road and through the wooded trail near our home would be ideal. We gathered on the front lawn for a fun footie photo before embarking. 

 

     I am continually amazed at the quiet, unassuming, and thereby often unnoticed, beauty found in creation. At times the pairing of striking beauty and intricate oddity grab the attention like nothing else can. 

     It was this that drew my notice as we walked along the our oft travelled wooded path. As my friend and I chatted and the girls skipped along ahead of us, I looked around and absorbed the glorious day.  I suddenly spotted what looked like a large brown flower and a bright orange (fairytale-esque) mushroom.  It turned out to be two mushrooms, the like of which I had never seen.  They were both so unique I had to stop and photograph them from several angles.  What was more was that they were so close together. Had they been farther apart I might never have

noticed them. It reminded me of the infinite planning, power, and creativity God displays in every aspect of creation and life. When I walked that same path a few days and then again several days later, the small fairy mushroom had fully "bloomed" it's appearance transforming into an entirely different beauty. This reminded me, yet again, that "in His time, He makes ALL things beautiful" and to Him all are precious and cared for (even the fungi) and if He cares for these so perfectly, how much more He will also care for me (Matthew 6:25-33).

These thoughts stayed with me as I looked back at the photos of our walk.  I thanked God for His provision and care in our lives and His continual work to work at making me more like Him. 

Our walk continued through the woods and back around to our quiet dirt road. Our girls walked and ran hand in hand, content to be in the sunshine and each other's company. I found it soul satisfying just to observe them in their sweet girlhood innocence.