A Bouquet of Hurry-Me-Nots

God was up to something.  How else could I explain the sequence of events that unfolded this week?  On Tuesday of this week, at my ten o’clock Women’s Life Bible study, one group re-capped their discussion as having been about living relaxed in the knowledge of our righteousness through Jesus Christ, and not living stressed anymore.  After hurrying home from my women’s Bible study, I ate lunch. 

That afternoon, hubby surprised me with, “Would you like to go to Skyline Drive tomorrow?  We can see beautiful scenery and maybe even some wildlife, and get a bite to eat for lunch.”

 

When Dave asked me the question, I was smack dab in the middle of making a big batch of “Butcher’s Sauce” that I hoped to have done in time to serve over pasta for dinner.  As I chopped, fried and stirred, I saw that by the time I got everything into the crock pot, and with the four hours cooking time needed, even on high, I would need to make something else for dinner.  My mind scrambled to think of what to make for the three of us (our son lives in the downstairs and eats with us several nights a week). 

In considering Dave’s question, I thought of my plans to make applesauce the next day from the one and a half bushels of McIntosh apples we bought at Hilltop Fruit Market in Grantsville, Maryland, last weekend.  But the idea of an unexpected “date” instead of making applesauce, quite appealed to me.  Surely the apples wouldn’t spoil in a day.  I took a deep breath and said, “Sure!”  I didn’t realize how much I needed the diversion.

That evening, with a different menu, we ate dinner early so we could attend our Tuesday evening Bible study at church.  I was very tired from the stress of hurrying through the day’s work, and I sat down for part of the worship.  As I sat there, I realized how good it felt to just relax and not have to hurry to get things done.  Our pastor taught on being established in righteousness and resting in the Lord (a reminder of what I’d heard in Women’s Life Bible study just that morning.)

The next morning, I called my chiropractor and changed my appointment to nine o’clock so we could leave earlier in the day.  As I waited in the treatment room for Dr. Tara to come in, a sudden knowing filled me as to one reason why I had knots in my upper back and shoulder muscles, and why my mid and lower back muscles may had been so tight and painful all summer.  I had been a “hurrier!”  I wouldn’t have had to make that “Butcher’s Sauce” recipe on Tuesday (copied from Dr. Tara’s bulletin board in the waiting room on Monday.)  But because I was eager to try it, I shopped for all the ingredients yet on Monday.  I gave myself a silent lecture: “Elaine, you make extra work for yourself when you don’t have to!”  I was stunned by my flash of insight.  

As I told Dr. Tara my revelation, she said that, yes indeed, stress makes the body core muscles tighten, causing muscular aches and pains.  I knew God was talking to me through her, too.  It was like a switch had turned on inside me when I saw the truth.  I thought of John 8:32: “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

On our drive, I shared my revelation with Dave and about my mission to slow down and de-stress.  I drew deep breaths and enjoyed the puffy white clouds scattered across a deep blue October sky.  I drank in the sight of nature and trees in the first stages of changing leaf color as the miles and stress melted behind us.  The applesauce-making, my writing, cleaning, and laundry could politely all wait their turn when I got back home.

There's nothing like cool green trees to aid relaxation!

Our first stop was the Shenandoah National Park Association visitor's center, where we made some purchases.  We played the wonderfully relaxing music CD, The Sounds of Shenandoah -- Beautiful Music & the Natural Symphony of Shenandoah, on the rest of our "date."  I read "Moonshiner's Son" by Carolyn Reeder when I got home.  Took me a few days to finish it, but I enjoyed it very much.  So much so, in fact, that I ordered some more of her books from Amazon; her most popular is "Shades of Gray," NOT to be confused with "Fifty Shades of Gray!"  The "Everything Bug" book is delightful reading as well.  I love everything we bought!

Skyline Drive has many overlooks; I think we stopped at each one!  I like the cloud shadow patterns on the mountains.

I got out of the car lots of times to take pictures.

Dave was so thoughtful; before we left the house, he researched rest stops and eating places.  I enjoyed the rustle of soft leaves under my feet as I walked from the car to the restroom.

Just beyond the restrooms was the Elkwallow Camp store, gift shop, and a grill room where we bought some lunch.

The day was quite breezy, but warm enough to eat at a picnic table outside.  Dave enjoyed his cup of chili, grilled cheese sandwich, and corn muffins.  I had a hamburger and fries.

One mountainside with some colored leaves; such a pretty view!

Lots of hiking trails in the Shenandoah National Park, but we didn't go hiking.

I plan to write more blog posts about types, causes and effects of stress, and how to have peace instead of knots in your stomach or back.  God bless you, dear reader!

Copyright © 2014 Elaine Beachy