View From The Front Porch-Stan Hitchcock-February 23, 2013

Hauling hay for my horses, then walking the creek and watching the clear, clean water wash over the creek rocks and gravel beds is a soothing and calming affect, every time. The horses are out of the pasture, eating the grass in the yard, which I save for them for late winter treats. They stood and watched me bring the hay and position it in their field, so they know that they are taken care of for another good period of time. Horses don't demand much, just their obvious needs, and the knowledge that we love them. A nuzzle from the nose of a horse, and the gentle chuckling sound they make when they are showing their affection, is a pressure settler in anyone.


Walking along the creek, watching the swift moving water as it moves against the bank, where it has undercut the packed earth, and where it will finally cause the bank to cave in to the water, is a picture of life. The worries and cares of life, constantly working against you, erodes and eats away at your solid core, undercutting you and your lifestyle, finally causing you to cave in a little more, until finally there is nothing left. But, God, can shore up the bank, give strength to your solid core, divert the pressure of the flow into another channel, keeping you together and strong. This is my prayer for all of us caught in the flow. Lord give us strength to stand, to face the current and not be undercut. The result of God's plan for our lives will bring peace of mind and a better understanding of the blessings of life, sheltered from the flow. Here is a simple truth....Sorrow looks behind....Fear looks ahead....but Faith looks Up, and therein lies the answer.   Stan