Heat Relief

Mary’s Monday Musings to Quilt Encouragement
Heat Relief

Two little girls interrupted their wide-eyed visit to the intriguing zoo animals at the sight of an inviting row of flowing waterspouts set at just the right height for little children. One used the opportunity to cool off on a hot summer day by washing her feet and the another let a swallow of cool water run down her throat before adults warned it might not be meant for drinking. In very short order our group of ten little children were laughing, splashing, and pretty much soaking wet from head to toe. What could be more fun than cooling off in readily flowing water? With their temperatures lowered, the sight and sounds of nearby animals drew them away for more exploring. The hot sun dried them off long before they visited the rest of the unexplored animal exhibits.

We, adults, watched with no little envy their utter abandon to get wet and then explore some more. No one worried about how they looked or how their hairdos were affected. On the other hand, we adults knew to be wary. We reasoned it was highly likely the water wasn’t pure enough for safe drinking. Isn’t that a lot the activities that attract us as adults? We need to be wary about the possible consequences of many tempting and attractive activities at the same time utilizing unexpected possibilities to our advantage and welfare. How do we sort out what not to do (for example: drink impure water, walk alone on unsafe streets, or cheat on our taxes) from what is quite welcome and beneficial? A good place to start and to teach children to start is to ask someone who is older and more experienced than we are for wise advice. And best of all to begin any new activity with prayer. We can ask for God to direct our recreation as well as our duties. He can alert us to hazards and show us what is safe to enjoy. He can warn us of dangers to avoid. As we grow and mature, we grow more able to discern His ways to alert us to caution. We never outgrow the value of listening to our elders and the protection of consulting our God as we make our decisions.