Friday Foto Friends - Lazy Bones Sleepin' in the Sun

Lazy Bones Sleepin' In the Sun

Lazybones, sleepin' in the sun....how you spect to get your day's work done?
You can't get your day's work done......sleepin' in the noon day sun.

Lazybones, layin' in the shade....how you gonna get your cornmeal made?
You can't get no cornmeal made....sleepin' in that evening shade

When taters need sprayin', I bet you keep prayin'
The bugs'll fall off of the vine
And when you go fishin' I bet you keep wishin'
Them fish don't grab your line

Lazybones, loafin' all the day.....how you spect to make a dime that way?
You won't make no dime that way.....loafin' in the shade all day

Songwriters: CARMICHAEL, HOAGY / MERCER, JOHNNY  Lazybones lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

Howdy Friends! I feel like it's been a long time since we last communicated...but it's really only been a week...It's just that last weekend was such a "wash-out", with Hurricane Matthew passing by and the loss of power, and absolutely no communication with the outside world for 36 hours.   But then I look at what the poor people up in the Carolina's are still suffering...with flooded homes, towns, roads, and many unable to go back to their homes, and I feel a little bit guilty that we were spared so much...but so very, very humbled and thankful. 

Yesterday we met with our family at a restaurant for lunch up on the St. John's River.  It's one of my favorite places to go because we can sit out on the deck overlooking the river while we eat. These "lazybones" baby alligators were totally unaware of the world around them as they snoozed in the noon-day sun.  I say they were unaware, but I am certain they would have sprung to action if someone had jumped in the water nearby...something I was not about to do even if I could have...because you can be assured where there are baby gators, mama gator is probably not far away.

While we enjoyed our lunch on the deck, we couldn't help but notice this houseboat floating by on the river.   I imagine the people on that houseboat are a lot like the baby gators...just "sleepin' in the noon-day sun"...not a care in the world it would seem...enjoying a day on the river...which is a wonderful way to spend a beautiful fall day after the stresses of last weekend's storm.

It has occurred to me that "sleepin' in the noon-day sun" is probably not a bad idea...perhaps not literally in the noon-day sun, but the idea of resting after a week of unusual stress is actually a very good thing.  When we go through the trauma of a bad storm and all the extra work that goes along with the preparation and clean-up afterwards, our bodies suffer more than we realize. Add to that other unexpected issues, whether they be physical, financial, or the environmental stresses and strains...or how about the current political assaults being assailed constantly by the media wherever you look...these are all issues that are overloading and affecting our minds, bodies and spirits.

The Lord gave us a beautiful picture of the rest that He provides for us when we are overwhelmed by the cares of this world. Read along with me:

"The Lord is my shepherd,

I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness 

for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the 

valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, 

they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever."

Psalm 23:1-6 NKJV

This tells me that it is okay to take some time out to rest from the stresses of this old world...it's okay to spend some time just "sleepin' in the noon-day sun" when our bodies, minds and spirits are worn out, overwhelmed, or just plain tired.   Jesus told His disciples (including you and me):

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28

So, if you are feeling guilty about taking that extra nap, or you find that you feel like just sitting somewhere peaceful and doing absolutely nothing for a spell...DON'T! (Feel guilty, that is).  This is God's way of bringing healing to your soul.  He knows what you need...and He gives you permission to do just that.   

Thank you, Lord!

Linking up with Deb and friends at Friday Foto Friends today.  Hop on over there and see what others are sharing today.