A Neighborhood Winding Down

The days have been cooler than you would normally expect for the last days of June and the beginning of July. I know folks in Southeast Missouri are praying for rain while we in Northeast Missouri are just thankful it has stopped raining for a spell, nearly 12 inches in the month of June alone.

Cooler evenings give me a greater incentive to go for an evening walk...I know there are people who love to exercise but I'm not one of them. I hate to get hot, I don't like to sweat, I understand the benefits of exercise but it's not what I like to do, so this cooler weather has been a blessing as I make an effort to be more physically active.

It seems the whole neighborhood is releasing a huge sigh of relief that the evenings have been so mild, the rain has ceased and we are experiencing a respite from the humidity that usually hangs thick in the air.

Families are drawn outside after the evening meal to enjoy the last few hours of their day. Children play on the front yard in an extra large box that looked like it may have been for some power tool. Two small heads pop up through the folded down flaps, giggling, faces beaming as they neglect the swing set to play in a box. A mom keeps a watchful eye on the third child running around outside the box as he stops to fold down the flaps on his brother and sister who duck down with squeals of delight. Their dad is mowing the lawn so I breath in the smell of fresh cut grass and smile to myself.

The retired schoolteacher who lives in the yellow house on the corner is out walking her two yorkepoos. We fall into step with one another as she and I walk together for a short distance, getting to know each other. She and her dogs are a common sight so several of the children call out to her and the dogs bask in the attention of small hands. One little boy asks me where my dog is...I tell him I don't have a dog and he looks disappointed...he doesn't either but they have a cat. I can tell the cat is not nearly as interesting in his eyes as a dog would be.

The sights and sounds of evening are soothing...God is in His heaven; all's right with the world.  The croaking of the frogs blend with the hum of the lawn mower.  Fireflies make an appearance among the tall grasses and weeds, their neon yellow/green glow flashing off and on like signal lights.

I slow my steps as I arrive back on my own street.  It's been a relaxing evening.  I've enjoyed this walk, it didn't seem like exercise.  I draw nearer to my house and see the glow of light from my living room window...my man waits inside.  I'm grateful for my life...for beautiful summer evenings...for the friendliness of neighbors in the Midwest...for the sense of community that rests among the people who live in this subdivision.  I look up and see the first star twinkling as evening submits to night. I realize the cares and concerns I've carried with me this day seem less daunting.  I feel peaceful. I breath a sigh of gratitude to the One who grants perfect peace to those who trust/rest in Him. 





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