my dates with the Colonel

I was quiet about it the first time we went on a picnic together,
three weeks ago today,
not because I was ashamed, 
but because after I got home I realized how much I needed that time alone,
to be special,
just me
the Colonel and God.

It wasn't a planned event.
I came out of church that afternoon and my heart was pulled to picnic.
I stopped and bought lunch.
I was hesitant and a little fearful.
This was something I hadn't done before and I clearly remember thinking:
"is it safe to go out to the lake alone?"
"what if it rains..."

what if....what if....what if....

and then I heard a whisper
what if it doesn't rain
what if you don't get kidnapped 
(I know that sounds dramatic,
perhaps I have watched too many crime shows in the past)
and then I heard a challenge:
what if this is exactly what you need today?

so I drove on

and when I arrived this welcoming sight beckoned me:

a new shelter,

a new sitting area with a swing

rain was no longer an enemy or a threat 

the leaves were beautiful

the water lapped against the shore 

and I sat in one spot for almost two hours,

simply enjoying the view

and the company

today I felt the pull again

so I stopped, picked up the Colonel for a second picnic

and without any reservations or second thoughts,

away we went to our special spot

thankfully our seat was vacant

the wind and the rains have stripped many of the trees
but the view was still beautiful and the company was sweet
the leaves rustling
the birds calling to one another
praise songs playing in my head
talking to God uninterrupted
I think I'm going to make picnics with the Colonel a more regular part of my life