Bingley's big sticks

     "Speak softly and carry a big stick."  (Teddy Roosevelt)  
     Well, we've got a ways to go on speaking softly, but we've totally got the big stick part down pat--

      Bingley picks up sticks constantly--and I mean constantly--on the greenway.  Who knew there were so many sticks?  In all my years of walking on the greenway, I had certainly never noticed such an astounding, staggering abundance and variety of sticks...but trust me, there are. Or at least were.  Bingley's making a big dent in the greenway big-stick population. But if you're looking for a few, come visit our yard where he's got quite an impressive collection. They look lovely piled up on top of all our weeds.  Sigh.
     We've noticed that Mr. Bingley strongly favors big sticks...or better yet huge, ginormous ones!  The one pictured above is actually an example of one of his smaller finds...but he carried it for at least 20 minutes.
     He also likes branches an awful lot.  (Come to think of it, are branches "sticks?"  Hmm.) Here's a branch he managed to nab--

     He hauled this one for a good 10 minutes.  It worked well until we came to a bridge where the stick kept whacking the metal side supports.  The staccato bang, bang, bang, bang finally alarmed Bingley so much that he eventually dropped the stick to try to discover the source of all that annoying racket.  He looked rather puzzled when the noise suddenly ceased.  I explained to him that some mysteries in life remain unanswered this side of heaven.  Might as well pick up another stick and keep moving.
       Actually, a pretty good rule for life, don't you think?  Reminds me of a quote I once heard from author Samuel Beckett: "I can't go on; I'll go on."  Sometimes we just have to trust that even if we don't understand, God does.  And since He's both perfectly good and also completely powerful and in control, our job is to pick ourselves up and keep on going.  Even when we're confused...or exhausted...or discouraged.
     Because, I've learned, there's always another stick.  We may think we've found the very last one, and who knows how we'll manage without another one...but then, low and behold, if we'll just keep on going, there's always another stick on up ahead.  Sometimes just around the bend.  Sometimes we just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep our eyes pealed.
     And, by the way, there are all kinds of sticks--on the greenway and in life.  Boy, here was a nice fat one that lasted virtually our whole walk--

    I think Bingley held onto this stick until we got home...then low and behold, what's that?  Another stick in the Worth's yard? O my, that one looks even fatter!  So this one gets dropped in favor of that one...and another one...and on and on.  The dangers of comparison--it's never ever enough, is it?!
     So that's about it for now on Bingley and sticks.  Clearly I'm desperately looking for a diversion--anything to focus upon other than the Christmas mess all over our house that needs to be cleaned up.  But maybe it's time to hitch up my britches and get to work...just go pick up another stick and get going!
     "Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." (I Cor.15:58)
     Thanks for reminding me, Lord.  To God be the glory.