Shot or Stretched?

Do you ever feel like you are being "shot" with trials, unkind comments, frustrations, or other stresses?  This last week there was a day when I felt like I was being shot with difficulties.  It was frustrating!  Later that night I woke up with the thought that I needed to be grateful for the "stretching" rather than focus on the feeling of being shot with difficulties.  It's a little like a balloon.  In order for a balloon to get blown up to a nice beautiful round shape, it needs to be stretched.  Have you ever shot a rubber-band?  In order for it to go, it needs to be stretched.  I'm grateful for the reminder to look at the trials as opportunities to be stretched--learn to depend on God through it and have my character be a little more refined.  I can decide whether I'm shot or stretched.  I can look at a situation as an opportunity.  Praise the Lord!

Pleasant Picking

Experiencing the joy of fresh blackberries is like a splash of cool water on hot, playful kids.  This afternoon I was grateful for a tidy house and ready to get a break outside.  I put on my boots, grabbed a big bowl, called the dogs, and headed to the creek.  Juicy blackberries were awaiting me.  Splashing up the creek brought back memories of when my kids were younger.  We don't go to the creek quite as often now.  Instead, I end up coaxing them to go blackberry picking by the creek.  This time I heard the sounds of nature instead of my children's cries of excitement or needs.  It was so peaceful to listen to the gurgle of the water, the wind in the trees, and the dogs feet plodding through the water as I picked.  There were cobwebs here and there, a few bugs, and I've even seen a snake right up by the blackberries.  It looks like a popular spot for critters other than myself.  After a short while I had a nice amount of juicy berries, lightly pricked fingers, and messy hands.  I felt satisfied and eager to make a pie.  I'm grateful for blackberries and picking them in the shade and peace of the creek.