M is for Meander

I’m sitting at my computer, fingers hitting the appropriate keys to form words, and yet I’m still searching for a “M” word. My brain just seems to be in vacation mode, even though I am not on vacation. It just can’t seem to settle down long enough to focus. It’s meandering.

My meandering thoughts

 

I find that I am a meanderer in much of life. When I shop, I meander through the store, just browsing looking at this and that. Not always buying just looking. When my husband and I go for walks in woods, or down trails, he is set on the course. I meander. I stop and look at moss growing on tree sides or gracefully cascading over rocks. If we visit museums, I can be found meandering. Stopping and reading all the plagues to glean every morsel of information, inspecting each item envisioning those who may have used them. I find myself meandering to other places and distant times.

A couple weeks ago my husband and I took our oldest granddaughter, Taylor, for a walk out on the nature reserve. Tay and I   for the most part were far behind my husband. She made sure to keep him in sight for fear that we would get lost. 

We didn’t get lost physically, but we did find ourselves becoming lost in our fascinating meandering. She marveled at a tree laden with woodpecker holes, some fresh others dried from age. We inspected each piece of moss, each unique rock formation, each feathery fern. My husband had to from time to time remind us that if we didn’t get a move on we wouldn’t have Taylor home at the appointed time. Tay and I meandered a little quicker, but we meandered all the same.

I found myself frustrating over an appropriate “M” word for the time that we are in. Easter. Messiah was top on the list. But I just didn’t have the oomph to pull my brain out of vacation mode. I nearly gave up and just plainly didn’t write anything this week. But as my fingers continue clicking the appropriate keys, and continue creating words, I am discovering that meander is a pretty good word and way of life.

 For it’s in our moments of seemingly idle meandering that we are able to discover some of God’s most magnificent creations which we would have missed otherwise. Meandering allows us to slow our pace and our brains, opening us up to the simplest of wonders that normally go unnoticed. It gives a grandmother and granddaughter time to discover nature and build memories. It may allow us time to notice someone else who may be in need of a hug, a smile, or a kind word.

 I’m a meanderer. This annoys some people who are more focused and impatient. But through my meandering I discover, I feel, I imagine and envision. Quite often it is through my seemingly idle meandering that I draw closer to my Lord and discover new and remarkable things, about Him and myself.

 I think I like being a meanderer.

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