Fridays at the Fountain

I have discovered a beautiful, quiet place in the middle of the busyness of Springfield.  If you aren’t careful you will miss it; I almost did.  It’s not even tucked away in some quaint corner of a beautiful park.  It’s right smack dab in front of a medical building on the west side.  Over the last few weeks I have found myself eagerly looking forward to my Fridays at the fountain.  It is there I can be still.  Perfectly still in body, mind, and spirit.  It has such a calming effect on my soul.  The running water drowns out the sounds of the traffic, the city, my heart, and even the internal voices in my mind.


My Fountain Place

After settling in our new home, we spent some time researching Occupational Therapy options for Madeline and finally decided upon the one we felt would meet her needs the best.  We started with a new therapist in July.  Unlike Ginger’s privately owned and operated clinic in Evansville, our new therapist was a part of a larger group in a hospital affiliated clinic.    It’s not exactly close to where we live, but as you parents know you do what you have to do to meet the needs of your children.  The fountain area is sandwiched between two entrances to the building.  While it is one of the first things you notice about this building, the fountain is soon forgotten with the busyness of finding the right suite inside, filling out paper work, being on time, or rushing to the next destination. 

 

One day I decided I would walk out to the fountain while waiting for Madeline to finish up her appointment.  I sat on one of the benches.  I observed so many others rushing in and out of the building.  I checked my e-mail.  I checked Facebook.  I sent a few texts since I wasn’t going to be interrupted.  Then I put my phone away.  I noticed a “No Wading in Pool” sign.  I had not even considered wading in the fountain until I read that sign.  Once I read it however, it planted a seed in my mind that began to sprout uncontrollably.  I had this unquenchable urge to take off my sandals and go wading, running, and splashing!  Because in situations like these I always seem to be the one to get caught and into trouble, I had self-control.  Although I may have been sitting on the outside,  I was wading, running, and splashing on the inside!  I was having a lovely time too I might add!  



Silly Sign!

Then I closed my eyes and listened to the moving water.   I felt my body relax.  I was able to sift through thoughts in my mind and “organize” them.  I was able to actually “hear myself think”.  Then I even found those thoughts quieted down.  In the stillness I felt God’s presence.  I began praying and pouring my heart out to God.  I began communicating with my best friend in a way I can’t in the busyness of my life at home.  Back home the distracting dishes in the sink, the piles of sorted dirty laundry in the foyer, the pile of clothes needing ironing, the hungry children waking up, the other fed children asking multiple questions, the school schedule calling me down to my desk, etc… all battle for my attention and fill my mind with multiple “to do” items screaming to be checked off the list!  In the silence of the moment, I was able to think, empty my mind, and something so wonderful happened.  My heart began to sing a song of praise and I was able to worship my Savior in the quietness of that fountain.  It was an unexpected treasure. 

 

I hope you have a “fountain” place, a place to get away from everything and just be still.  In today’s fast paced rat race, we all need a fountain.  If you don’t have a special place, keep your eyes open.  It might be right in front of you the whole time like mine was.  Scripture states in more than one place that Jesus went alone to pray and be still before God.  My special place used to be our patio in Newburgh.  From the table under the gazebo I would be able to watch the deer on the back tree line, listen to the insects and birds, relax, read my Bible, pray, and worship.  I have tried hiding out in our bedroom at the new house, but it's not working very well.  I have missed having a quiet place.    



My special place in Newburgh.  Beautiful early morning or evening.

Fridays at the fountain are special.  I find myself eagerly looking forward to them.  I don’t even bother taking my phone out of my purse while I’m there anymore.  I just sit down on “my bench”, still myself, and enjoy the moments.  I still struggle with that silly “No Wading In Pool” sign.  I also struggle with letting Brad help me out on Fridays.  Brad has offered to take Madeline to O.T. a few times, but I don’t want to let him.  That would mean missing my Friday at the fountain.  I am getting a little possessive of it.  I love my quiet place.  It’s a highlight of my week.  My only complaint…..now I have to wait “seven more sleeps”!