When I was little, on sunny days, I would de-stress by lying down on the grass under the trees. Then, I would watch the trees above me move to the wind. Their dance would captivate me. I loved the way the sun peaked through behind the lacy leaves.

Today, I took the afternoon off to give myself some much-needed down time after traveling to Bolivia. Up to this point, I have been working hard to catch up with the things that I couldn’t get done while on the road. I never really stopped since coming home from Bolivia, and I also had minor surgery this week to remove the bad tissue in my arm. I have a nice Frankenstein incision about two inches long. Steve traveled to Nashville on Monday. Our timing for this trip wasn’t ideal, but this is the life of a traveler.

I finally hit the wall today; tired, feeling weak in myself. So, I took a nap, and then I grabbed my camera, went outside and sat underneath the trees. The sun peaked through behind the lacy leaves. It felt warm, nice and simple. Breath.

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.  Sometimes I have to remind myself of this to move past the discomfort of stress.

Never mind the teenage girl drama that came home from school today. Never mind the busyness that tries to steal the joy of doing something good. Never mind the endless dishes, housework and laundry that every family has to contend with. Never mind the inbox of emails. Never mind the incision on my arm. Never mind the barking dog, or the grouchy neighbor.

In comparison to the suffering of those I met last week in Bolivia, my life is simple.

 Isaiah 25:4,5 (NIV)

a shelter from the storm
    and a shade from the heat.

For the breath of the ruthless is like the storm driving against a wall.

  and like the heat of the desert.
You silence the uproar of foreigners;
    as heat is reduced by the shadow of a cloud,
    so the song of the ruthless is stilled.

Yes, my life is as simple as a leaf on a tree. There are days the sun warms me up and there are days it storms, but I keep hanging on to the branch, because it brings me nourishment. I keep hanging on because it brings me strength and life. I have learned from the poor, that His love is unshakable. He brings shade to the parched and comfort to the weary. Oh how loves.

It’s good to stop and enjoy the simple. I am grateful for a sunny spring day to remind me of the grace of God, and the strength of His love.