Some days are simply do nothing days, but enjoy the season and the people you’re with.  This week is teachers’ convention time in Minnesota, so for the past couple days, we’ve been doing just that. Yesterday our adventure took us to an apple orchard, where Paul and his plein air painting class had set up for the morning. This is why there was no post yesterday.  Sometimes you simply need to be in the moment and forget about stuff like that.

Granddaughter, Kaeli and I started the morning with a trip to the local coffee house, prior to joining grandpa and his class. There was an opportunity for hayrides, pumpkin toss, corn maze and a spooky nature hike.  The air was filled with freshness and a brilliant blue sky showcased the colors of autumn.  A slight chill in the air made it all come alive.  Kaeli and I opted for garage sales after taking a quick peek at the orchard and pumpkin patch.

As I looked at the mounds and rows of pumpkins, I started thinking about days when we would carve the orange orbs with our own children.  Cutting through the top was the critical thing.  Making sure that it would refit again, once all the crud was removed from the insides.  Then going through the yucky ordeal of pulling out the squishy part, washing the pumpkin seeds and later roasting them.  Being an artistic family, our creations were always pretty amazing.

Our lives are kind of like those pumpkins.  There are times when things begin to rot inside of us.  We need to get the crud out.  We need to empty our innards of the confusion, anxiety, stress and daily responsibilities. We can scrape away at the surface things, but only God can get in there and really clean up the gobbledy gook that stagnates within.  He has provided a free cleaning service to us through His Son, Jesus – through His Holy Word – through His everlasting love.

The afternoon topped off our day as we took a drive through a wildlife refuge north of the city.  We didn’t see a lot of wildlife, but what a lovely way to spend the day with our granddaughter.  Sometimes you just have to ignore the routine of daily life and live it.