Muddy Legs

Me, Robin, Renee, and Mike

Our family is enjoying the last weekend of summer before school starts next week. Child #1 is in Georgia with a church group tubing down the Chatooga River. Child #2 had a sleep over last night. They spent the night in a tent in his friend's back yard--the dog slept with them! Hubby is finishing up a 60 plus mile bike ride in NC. And I just finished a trail run with some of my buddies in a nearby State Park about 40 minutes away. We are an active family!

The trails that we covered today were great! They were all runnable-woohoo! No rocks to climb. We did share these trails with horses. Lots and lots of horses!! Not only did I have to watch my footing for roots and rocks, but I had to be on the lookout for surprises from those gorgeous creatures!

Today, there was an equestrian event at the park. There were horse trailers everywhere! Each time we completed a loop of running, there would be more horses and riders. It was really cool!

After the run, I was extremely sweaty, muddy and dirty from the trails. I went into the ladies room to try to clean up before getting back into my sweet little friend's car!


Look at the mud on our legs--gross!

Well, there were no paper towels or soap, so I made do with water from the sink and my bandanna as a washcloth . Y'all, I must have looked a sight! I had one leg in the sink scrubbing off the mud when a little boy wearing a huge cowboy hat walked in. He looked at me and didn't say a word! He went straight to the other sink beside me and began to wash his little hands. He never glanced at my face--just my dirty legs! I finally made the first comment. He answered---with more of a southern drawl than I even have! He was getting ready to ride his horse in the competition. He had been riding for a VERY long time. I inquired as to how old this darling child was. He was 4! Y'all, he is still washing his hands--no soap either! I asked him the name of his horse. He replied, "Awesome!" Is that just not precious?? I did ask if his mom or dad was going to lead him around the corral when it was his turn to perform. His mom was. He's still washing those little hands! I finally told him that I had been running and was trying to get some of the mud off of me before getting in the car and going home. He gave me an"Ohhh!" while continuing to wash his hands. I am sure that he had been told to never speak to strangers, and I was definitely a stranger! And even stranger was that I was scrubbing my legs in the restroom sink at a park! I've never seen a 4 year old wash his hands for that long--the water was still going. I was afraid that his mom was going to come and check on him to see why he had been gone as long as he had! Well, he finally turned off the water--after 5 minutes or more and walked out the door. He was just precious!

I thought about his comments after he left the ladies' room. He was so confident in his riding skills. How many times are we able to boast that we are able to accomplish this or that on our own? Adults tend to do this more than children. We want to do it our way, our timing. We need no outside assistance. This child boasted in his skills as well, but.....his mom was still in control by having a tight grip on the reins of the horse. She would never let them go for fear of what the horse might do if it were stung by a bee or scared by a loud noise. She was there in case her child needed her. That mom would never leave her 4 year old alone on a horse. As a Christian, I know that although I want it my way, it might not be the best way! I know that God is in control of my life. He's holding the reins tightly so I won't fall off either. He is there to keep me safe. Hebrews 13:5 says that "He Himself has said,' I will never leave you or forsake you'." I have that confidence in which I can boast--He's always going to be there just for me! He loves me that much! And He loves you that much, too!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!

Blessings,