I grew up in a simpler time and because of that, I feel
forever free. I was allowed to roam through the neighboring woods at an
early age. I knew where the first spring flowers grew, Trilliums with
their white delicate blossoms; and bleeding hearts; their sweet pink
faces bringing color to the earth. Each spring, I waited to see the
woodland floor blanket itself with green after it's long winter nap. As I
grew and life presented it's increasingly complex patterns, I often
sought the comfort of the forest, to hike, rest and think. I knew the
rough bark of my favorite trees; the deer paths through the woods and
the places where ferns grew in waving green seas.
In High School, I became a 'troubled soul.' it was a label of
sorts that in hindsight somehow fit the confusion of my soul. My
father, a good compassionate man, saw this struggling and spent many
conversations with me, trying to help me find a way out of the pain. My
love of the woods surfaced more as increasingly and I would take off
after school for hikes up the hills behind our home. One spot in
particular I loved. There, larger trees towered over draping vine
maples. The morning sun found patches to spread it's golden warmth. I
loved it there, it was my "chapel in the woods."
A reader, something in a book I read fostered the desire to "homestead" and I became interested in building a cabin in the woods.
My dad, not a youngster by any means sat with me over the kitchen table
helping me draw my plans. How excited I was as my small cabin came to
life on paper. We designed it to be, 8' by 16'. It was to have two
windows and a door. My patient father allowed me to buy the supplies,
2x4's, concrete pier blocks, nails, plywood, the list seemed endless.
Piece by piece the materials made there way to our garage. There they
sat, waiting for their transport up the hill, through the woods. Most
of the things I dragged through the woods by myself; at 16 it's
surprising how strong I was for a girl. Somethings, things were too
heavy for me and he had to help me as together we struggled up the deer
paths to the cabin site carrying the awkward plywood sheets between us.
On days my dad could squeeze time out of his busy schedule,
he showed me how to build. My Dad taught me how to use a L shaped metal
tool to make my marks to cut the 2 by 4's. He showed me how to use a
hammer to drive in a nail. He showed me the right way to hold a saw, and
how to make a cut. I tried, and away I sawed using a old hand saw that
challenged me to make a straight cut. Piece by piece the cabin came
together. On the days dad couldn't help me, I built an outside fire pit
and many afternoons found me sitting beside my fire, enjoying the
warmth of it's heat and dreaming of my future. Often I would take
"camper's stew" wrapped in tinfoil and tuck that into a bed of coals.
How wonderful those meals were!
The day came the windows went in, the tar paper went on. My
cabin was complete. What a wonderful experience planning and building
that cabin was. A cherished memory of a father's love for his child.
Today, many years past, my own heart aches for all the children who have
never known that special kindness; that special father's love. For
me it has made understanding the love of my heavenly Father a much
easier journey. As my earthly father had compassion; wanting to help me
find happiness, so my heavenly Father wants the same things.
Today I will attend church. I confess so often it's easy for
me to go, sing songs, listen to a sermon and forget the realness of a
God who is alive, and who cares about who I am. It's not so much
unbelief but just being caught up in all the details of life; the
worries, the obligations, the challenges. Today, I will try to keep in
mind the memories of my earthly father's love; a father who took time to
try to reach his troubled teenage daughter and realize that my heavenly
Father is always there, wanting to help me just like my own dad. To
encourage and strengthen me in this last stage of my journey; the last
chapter in the book of my life.
Today, may the love of your heavenly Father
surround you with His compassion, caring and purpose. May your faith and
trust be renewed and refreshed in the knowledge of His care.
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