70 X 7...ALWAYS AND ALL WAYS

It was 25 degrees when I awoke yesterday morning. Too cold to walk according to me. So I told Ruckus that we'd go out, but we weren't doing our 20-minutes. (Ruckus could stay out in minus degrees and be happy.) I know very well that both Ruckus and I benefit from our 20 minutes, and it occurred to me that instead of predetermining that we would just go out and back in, I would stay open to what happens.

Then I started to get dressed in my usual dog-walking get-up...flannel pants, turtleneck, long socks, wool neck scarf, down coat with fur-lined hood, gloves. My blinding flash of the obvious was when I realized and admitted to myself that we'd never stay out 10 minutes in just that...and I'd be telling Ruckus and me that I woulda if I coulda but 20 minutes must not be God's will. It occurred to me that if I did my part...dress warmer...God would do his, and if we couldn't do 20 minutes, so be it.

So I wore my stirrup pants under my flannels, anklets over long socks, the turtleneck under a boiled-wool jacket, wool neck scarf, earmuffs, headscarf, down coat with hood, and two pair of gloves. Ruckus has a little sherpa-lined coat that he hates but, through serious bribery, he wears.

We did our 20 minutes...could've down 10 more but I don't want to raise the boy's expectations.

Now, here's my reasoning mind kicker: I awoke this morning, and it was 15 degrees! I felt betrayed. I was so incensed that I told God, "We took this test yesterday, and we aced it! We proved that we're willing to do our part. I hoed the dimdam row of potatoes...let 'em grow already!"

And that's when the still more spiritual growth needle jabbed me in the butt: Seventy times seven. For everything. Forever. For all ways and always.

Rats.

OBTW, thank you.

Oh...I did my two pair of pants, etc., and once again, we could've done 30. Once again, thinking only of Ruckus, we did our 20. And right this minute, I am sooo grateful. But tomorrow....