Day Six- Manito

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

This evening after a long day of church, family pictures, and a short nap for the two year old; Jacob and I decided to take the whole family to Manito Park.  I convinced Jacob that we should take the dog too, that we were going out as a whole family.  We took the time to pack the double stroller, the kids, blankets, extra clothes, snacks, water, and had to stop on the way for a new dog leash.  It was an effort just to make it to the park.  Once there we strolled along paths high and low, enjoying the mild heat and time together.  After a while of walking we decided to go to the playground area and let Wyatt blow off a little more steam.  Keesa (our sweet but very hyper chocolate lab) had finally settled so the playground seemed to be the perfect place to spend our last few minutes at the park.  We arrived to the wooden castle of wonder (aka the play toy) and Wyatt jumped out of the stroller running full blast to the sleek blue slide.  For a few minutes he was the only one on the play toy but soon a mother walked over with her two children (a five year old boy and three year old girl).  The mom was cradling her three year old and asked us if our dog was friendly (for any of you who know keesa you know she is beyond friendly), our response was, "of course, just watch out she may lick you to death."  The mom quietly talked to the little girl then asked if they could pet her.  The boy jumped at the chance, the little girl was hesitant at first but put her hand out with her mothers coaxing and recieved a big sloppy kiss from keesa.  In the next few minutes this mom proceeded to tell us that she is not from this area and only visiting because her mother had a stroke two weeks ago.  She started to share details of her stay and how much of a stretch it was  to have her mother over here (they are from bellingham but because of Sea-fair the mom was medi-vac'ed to Sacred Heart). 
As people we love the human connection, that sweet gentle smile from a stranger in the grocery store saying hello, the genuine "have a good day from a neighbor," or the listening ear from someone in your time of need.  I love that because of my family, Keesa included we were able to help listen to this lady in her time of need.  We were available to be a shoulder to lean on.  I think sometimes it is easy to let people be the ones we turn to in our times of need instead of God.  But he tells us and reassures us in life, daily.  He makes it clear that he has the ultimate comfort and he is always there to listen.  I am so appreciative that we were at the park when we were today, that we were able to comfort that woman in her time of need as a family.