Running through the woods was one of my favorite childhood delights. Out the door I would go to explore and be free. It seemed I spent hours just wandering around in the vacant lots around our home.

As a preteen I would storm out to get away when I was upset or angry. I would walk to the end of a cul-de-sac and just think and be alone. Eventually I would return, better.

As a mother of 6, I long for that freedom just to runaway for a bit. To breathe in the fresh air and let the sun renew me. I’m surrounded now by 25 beautiful, wooded acres. However, I spend most all my hours indoors. I stare out at my trees longing to escape. Somedays I don’t go outside at all. Why? Because it’s hard and I’m busy. It’s difficult to find the socks, the shoes, and the shirts for 6 kids. It’s difficult to carry the baby around outside and stop every few minutes to get a rock out of someone’s shoe or drag someone along who has a sticker and can’t walk. It’s tough to deal with the freezing cold or the scorching sun with kids in tow. And when I return the work is still there. Always, the work.

But somehow if I don’t escape from these walls I worry I’ll be swallowed up somehow. This school year I determine to stop doing and go out.  To walk free, to breathe, and find a bit of freedom in the woods again. No matter how difficult- because it’s worth it. It’s necessary for me, and that means it’s good for my family.

So stop.  Go out!  Breathe.  Soak.  Think.

Return….Better.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” 

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭6:24-26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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