This
morning I’m reminded of my “secret of life”. The “secrets,” for lack of a
better word, were given to my brother and me as kids from our oh so loving
parents. Ryan, whose secret of life was knowing when to stop, would yell, “The
secret of life mom is to STOP saying the secret of life!” he would then
continue to pull my hair. When mom would mention mine I could feel my blood
boil and have to fight the urge to jump up and kick things. I’ve never been
good at being told I’m doing something wrong.
Looking
back I am willing to say my parents were spot on with me. Little Jenna would go
from coloring book, to trampoline, to rollerblades all within two minutes and while
forgetting to do chores. Adult sized Jenna goes from bed to TV to work to
cleaning to making dinner to friends to bed. Have you figured it out? “Jenna,”
my mom would sigh, “The secret to life is slowing down.”
I’ve always
felt the need to be unconventional. When people do things one way I want to do
it the other way. I despise routine and laugh under my breath at those who have
one. I’ve always thought to myself why would you get up SO early to have that
extra time in the morning to read or go for a walk? Ok, so it’s your alone
time, I have that…. Right? I’ve recently realized my alone time has been cursed
with screens. That this so called “solitude” is so foreign to me I have lost
the meaning all together. I’ve been cursed with a mind constantly wandering
toward what is next. Queue Simon and Garfunkel… “Slow down, you move too fast…”
Tomorrow is
my birthday. This marks not only the beginning of my 24th year but a
year since Jake and I were engaged. Let me tell you a little about Jake, his
secret to life is defiantly not slowing down. He has that one in that bag. Jake
is the king of simplicity and moment treasuring; he never takes things to
seriously. So naturally this morning when we both woke with the sun I asked,
“what am I going to do before work at 11?” As per usual I pictured myself in my
pajamas watching a movie. But he said,
“Well if it
was me, I would bundle up in warm clothes, walk, and watch the light hit the
mountains.” So that is what I did, and this is what I saw.
Ducks were
plunging into the water with their butts dancing in the air. Fish were kissing
the surface, sending pulses out the water. Squirrels were cackling in the
trees, playing tag with one another. Then there was me, just getting the
privilege to be a part of their morning routine.
How playful
creation is when we slow down. How
captivating the mountains are when the light bounces off them causing you to
swoon. It is through creation we can get to know who Jesus is, and unlock his
personality. John Eldridge in Beautiful Outlaw says “we can learn a lot
about an artist by the work they leave behind.” We must have a pretty cool God.”
“…Feeling
Groovy.”
