"What Rhymes with Toilet Paper?”
Rollin D. Barnard Equestrian Park—Greenwood Village, CO
WHERE: Rollin D. Barnard Equestrian Park. There is parking right off of Orchard Road.
WHEN: Anytime
BLESSED SPOT: Go find Amber’s Bench
Find Amber’s bench, sit down (or stand) and put your feet in her prints
“You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”
—Psalm 16:11
“Capers Rhyme with Toilet Paper” (Not the little green pickled kind)
Bob Goff (you will soon learn how much I love him) talks a lot about going on “capers.” This idea resonates with me to no end. I love adventures, I love when the plot line of my vacation or a my day takes a sudden twist or turn. I have been on a multitude of capers, some I have conspired in and some that just fell into our laps. Some capers were dangerous, stupid, and ill conceived. My BFF Marie seems to be at the helm of many of these capers we end up on. One year we found ourselves in the police department in Italy for bypassing the underpass at the train station and deciding it was quicker to skip across the train tracks—dumb caper. Another time I had the brilliant idea of renting Vespas in Paris and driving out into the countryside, that caper left Marie upside down in a cornfield—scraped up caper. When I turned 50 we hiked an ILLEGAL and desolate stretch of the great wall of China—epic caper. Another year we decided it was a great idea to fly to a tiny island in the Philippines right after a typhoon and naively walk in the contaminated flood waters in our flip flops—that trip ended with me getting so sick I had to have a minor surgery—painful caper. On one trip were told explicitly to not follow the gypsy lady offering housing at the train station in Prague, you can guess what we did there—dangerous neighborhood caper! Another time we drove a jeep, with bald tires, during torrential rain trough the jungles of Costa Rica in search of some town we read about—Romancing the Stone caper. These twists and turns in our plot line is what makes life fun, surprising, exciting, and here and there maybe a little regretful (LOL)? It is what core memories are made of and the great stories we can share and recount with others. I like thinking back on my adventures and looking at old photos but what I love more is dreaming up the next caper.
“You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”
—Psalm 16:11
Psalm 16:10 came alive to me when I was reading it today. It hints at the idea that God will (future tense) reveal our path, but we have to start the walking. The adventure begins when we take our first step, it may not be clear where we are going in the beginning, but guaranteed He has a caper or two for us along the way. Eventually He make our path known and looking back where we have walked will all make sense. The trek could be dangerous, it will be exciting for sure, and it is promised to be full of joy if we stick by his side. “In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”
Hopscotch and Chalk
Our pastor Ron Johnson has challenged us to pray every day at 2:17pm. Today I was on my bike riding around Green Oaks and near the Rollin D. Barnard Equestrian Park when my reminder went off. At that moment I watched a 50-something guy hopscotching down the street as him and his wife took a stroll. I loved his playful attitude—the tiny caper he took part in. A caper doesn’t have to end with you scraped up in a cornfield in France, it can end up with a sense of satisfaction that you cooked something new, or having your jaw drop as you gaze at an amazing sunset. I read on nextdoor.com about a group of moms who are creating social distancing-safe scavenger hunts. What a great way of keeping spirits alive in our kids during this time. C19 does not have the power to diminish our spirit if we don’t let it.
I picked the equestrian park because a couple years ago I was riding my road bike south down Clarkson until it dead-ended into this park. I thought there was a simple way to ride down the dirt path and reconnect with Clarkson. There were several horseback riders who looked curiously at me as I rode through their dirt course—remember I am on a road bike. I don’t know if I was too proud, or too embarrassed to just stop, get off my bike, and walk to the side of the park. I rode right through it—bringing even more attention to myself. Thank goodness I didn’t spook a horse or bite it on a rock.
This is where it gets great
What is amazing about this post is I had written everything up to this point at home, I knew God was telling me to pick the equestrian park as His sacred setting. Today I went to find the perfect spot to pray over and ask God to bless it. I parked my car and walked down the path into the lovely open space. I wandered around a bit, watching the stream babble along and looking at the super blue sky with cloud animals moving about overhead. I knew I wanted to find a good bench to sit down on. I felt drawn to a bench in the distance and headed over. I found Amber’s bench and was immediately brought to tears. I found a kindred spirit. Amber, as the bench reflected: “lived with joy, love, wonderment, passion, and adventure.” There could not have been a better place to reflect on the fun I have had, the adventures I have been on, and the capers I have narrowly escaped. I know if I knew Amber we would have been fast friends. She must have been on amazing human being. While I sat there I prayed for Amber’s family, for their loss (I don’t know them) but I bet they could use it. If the Jones’ family ever reads this, just know your spot is sacred, and you are in my prayers from here on out.
I am praying that as you sit here you are reminded of a time God made you laugh, or got you out of a pinch, or lead you down a crazy road. I am praying you remember funny stories about a loved one you have lost, or the joy they brought you. I am praying you feel overwhelmed with joy right this second—that it takes your by storm.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” —Jeremiah 29:11
There is a plan created just for you, and a path that is being cleared just for you. Take a breath and know that God knew C19 would be a part of our current plan, but our future path will be cleared of it. This will pass, but I pray that we exit this time with unique core memories in tact, stories to tell, and future capers planned. I know I have lists of adventures to go on once I can travel across the pond again, but until then I am on a caper hunt here at home.
Mini Toilet Paper Caper…
So, if you have read this far there is a bit of a caper in your midst. If you are the first one to read this it is your lucky day. A roll of toilet paper has been hidden nearby. If you put your feet in the foot prints of Amber’s and look left and right you will find it—don’t get stumped. If you find it - it is your lucky day…. leave a note behind for the next person who comes by.
This spot on Amber’s bench has been prayed for:
Fun and laughter—maybe a full belly laugh
For joy to coat you fully as you sit here
For you to feel like everything is going to be alright
For God to put a caper in your mind
For a few fun and divine appointments to come knocking
Things you can do:
Post a comment, a thought, a prayer, or a request
Pray every day at 2:17pm
Create a chalk hopscotch on your sidewalk
Write encouraging chalk messages on your sidewalk
Plan your next caper
Read a verse in 10 different translations to see how God might speak to you
Remember God is bigger than C-19 and this too will pass!
“It’s okay to be absurd, ridiculous, and downright irrational at times… Silliness is the sweet syrup that helps us swallow the bigger pills of life.”— Richelle E. Goodrich (thanks bubbles for sharing that quote with me)
My Favorite Meme of the Day
