Pinchin'

Yep, silly as this picture is -- there is method behind the maddness. When my son was in high school, he served as a marching band manager. His disablitiy refused to allow him to play an instrument so the band director was wonderful to allow him to be a part of the band as best he could.
One weekend the band attended a Marching festival in Virginia. Struggling to keep up with the band as they marched down the street, my son put his best foot forward. Another manager continued to scream at him to keep up. Before long we saw this big smile come across Chase's face as he did exactly what you see in this picture. We all laughed wondering what he could possibibly be doing. After the parade, a friend asked him, "Chase exactly what were you doing squishing your fingers together as you marched?" He grined and said, "I was pinching his head!" We just roared. In his mental retardation, he'd found the perfect way to "vent" his frustrations and remain as sweet and kind as ever.
We all become frustrated and tired at times. The world tends to overwhelm us when we least expect it. So finding a way to vent without hurting others verbally or physically is important. I have often found we've learned so much from our disabled son. His childlike wisdom amazes us, but he is right so much of the time.
When we find ourselves overcome with the daily rush of life we find ourselves leaning back in the recliner and pinching anything that fits between our fingers. It's not only good for a laugh (which by the way, is an amazing and restful thing), but it's a stress reliever as well.
Just another way to find rest when you're tired.
God blesses us -- even through our disablitiies. I hope I never grow to old to learn.

Moooove Over

We had a dalmatian lovingly referred to as Jaws. It's not as bad as it seems...he was called Jaws because as a puppy all you experienced were those razor sharp puppy teeth. When Jaws was four months old, we started him into basic obedience classes. The lady who taught these classes lived on a farm which really kicked Jaws' ADHD into high gear. He loved the cows. He'd romp along the fence line and bark at the cattle as they grazed. One day he took off and ran beneath the fence line, right up to the nose of a momma cow laying in the field.
His butt went straight into the air and the tail did 180's as he bounced around in circles. The cow never moved. She just batted those big eyes and flicked her ears. After a short time Jaws finally decided it was fruitless to bark so he nudged his way under the side of the cow. It was really kinda sweet. She must have been an experienced momma because she seemed to understand the playful antics of a puppy. Once Jaws had squirmed his way next to her, she lovingly leaned around and gave him a sloppy cow lick right across the face.
Jaws was content. He'd found a nice comfortable and safe place to lay. Nuzzeled next to this momma cow, he found comfort and security.
Upon occassion I love to nuzzle next to my mom. It seems we never outgrown the warm arms of our mothers. Regardless of our age, there is still a sense of calm, a place of comfort, an expression of peace that can only be found in a parents embrace.
I feel the same way about my heavenly Father. There are times when only His embrace can bring me rest. You feel it in the warmth of the spring sun, the gentleness of a soft breeze, in the smell of freshly cut grass, or in the scent of the ocean air. It's that moment when you know, without a shadow of a doubt, there is a greater power.
On those occassions, I can only say, mooove over world. There is peace to be found.
(Now, let credit be given where credit is due...Thanks to Karma Shuford for beautiful cow picture. Visit her blogspot at www.karmashuford.blogspot.com for some very UNIQUE photos.)