A picture of love...

Yesterday I witnessed a beautiful picture of how God really loves us and extends His arms/feet to help us either move forward, stand and be still or even back up the mountain.  The picture came as I watched my teenage daughters do something so simple yet very powerful.

A picnic...Grace asks often, "Can we just go into the middle of our backyard (which slops to the community park) and sit on a blanket or even have supper?"  I say, "Let's not go to center of yard; it's too hard for Katie (Grace's twin who has special needs, visually, emotionally, physically) and I don't want to "lug" the  dishes etc back and forth."  The End.

This day was different.  I heard Grace ask Katie to go for a picnic.  They asked me to go too but I was recovering from the flu.  I really didn't have the energy to walk to the center of the yard especially in the sunshine.  I felt a bit guilty and knew that Katie might back out of her "yes" when she heard I was staying on the porch.  Again, this day was different.  I gently whispered to Grace, "You know when Honey Pie (our lab) sees you both, she will bark.  This will make Katie nervous and it might not go well."  
"I know Mom; it's okay."  Grace replied.

I watched from the screened porch, biting my lip and praying that Katie would not disappoint Grace.  This was one of Grace's "things" she wished that they could do as sisters.  The togetherness of twins; not reminded of the array of differences in their maturing selves...this was the goal.  Grace carried her packed basket which contained PB&J bagel sandwiches, juice, fruit and chips.  She had their Ipods and camera in tow.   Down the steps, Katie first.  Dog quiet.

Katie steps onto sidewalk, stops.  Grace takes her hand and helps her step onto grass, an unsure feeling for Katie because it's not firm or stable.  The grass moves and when someone like Katie walks on grass, they simply are trying to "find where they are in space."  It's not easy.  There's no frolicking through the yard.  Honey Pie barks and wags tail.  Katie covers ears.  I hold my breath waiting for Katie to start her "no I don't want this, never again"  but it never came.

Grace ran over to Honey Pie and gave her a treat.  Asked Katie to hold two more treats for later.  Katie held Grace's arm as they maneuvered through the sticks and uneven slope under the giant Oak trees.  Minutes later, dog barked.  Walking stopped.  Grace gave Honey another treat.  Quiet.  They walked to  center of yard and stopped at blanket Grace had prepared them.  She sat down and pointed for Katie to join.  Katie bent over doing her knee drop sitting and plopped to ground.  It was done.  Grace threw another treat to Honey.  All was quiet.

I watched.  Overwhelmed at how difficult it is to be one's friend sometimes, yet saw that it wasn't really.  It just took time.  11 minute short walk to picnic but so worth it.  Girls ate, laughed.  Katie played "pretend" like she loves to do.  Then they both lie on their stomachs...knees bent and feet in air.  They listened to music and both took pictures of the grass, trees, Honey Pie and each other.  Success.

The walk back up was 1.5 hours later.  Couldn't believe it lasted that long?  Same slow routine.  Teeter-totter gait walking; this time up the slope.  Dog barked.  Ate treat.  Katie held Grace's arm and finished the hike.  Grace then went back/forth with dishes and stuff.  By then, the moment was over.  

I reflected;  felt grateful to witness this special act of love.  God does the same.  Gentle touch, calming our fears, giving us courage to move on and then walking the whole way...slow and steady.  Facing our fears and giants even if they are the gentle Honey Pies.  Unsteady as the pathway feels, His hand guides.  Our eyes see unclear or not at all, but we walk.  He talks to us, enjoys the breeze and even captures the moment like a lens from a camera.  It's then His heart sings, I believe.

I am thankful for God allowing me the visual ~  trusting me to see through His eyes for one moment.  Slow and steady, seeing the beauty of being one's friend.  Frolicking is for some but others are able to capture a peace that gently guides our feet to a blanket prepared for us...with milk and honey and rest.