Hurry Up and Slow Down

by Michele Boy | June 18, 2025

It’s Tuesday morning. Juneteenth, the day commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, is a federal holiday. It snuck up on me like everything else lately. So I had to knock out this paper rather quickly. It is mid June, wheat harvest is here, the fourth of July is a couple weeks away and county fair is right on it’s heels. 
 I feel like I am running on a treadmill and someone has turned up the speed! 
There is a lot I wanted to cover, but some of it will have to wait until next week. 
Watching the weather at harvest time is concerning. There is some beautiful wheat out there. High winds and chances of hail could take some of it down. It can be a helpless feeling. 
 So I pray. I haven’t been in my bible much. A friend mentioned she read the bible in a 90 day study group. As cool as that is, it doesn’t fit my life right now. Once in my early thirties I did a reading challenge like that but my ego and pride decided it was more impotant to finish the challenge than actually get something out of it. 
  I decided to modify it this time, I am reading one chapter most days. Without a stringent timeline, I am slowing down and trying to read every word. I find it interesting as I discover more and more. Even lineages which I admit I have scanned in the past, I am taking my time with. 
  I guess slowing down is my theme. Is there something in your day to day routine where you can slow down, catch your breath and make sure you are on the right path for you? 
  There are a number of people in my world who are doing things that I am jealous of. Vacations, achievements, and even mastering household chores!
  I seem to be behind everyone when my focus is on people. 
But when my focus is slowing down, listening to God, and remembering I am in the right place, I am more at peace. 

I spent Saturday morning stressing over having to drive my pickup with a trailer to a new location. Would I get there on time? Would I have to back up? Would I have enough fuel on the way home? What if I let my daughter down? 
  I asked a friend to pray. I left home early to give myself time. When I arrived, unsure of where to go, there was a single trailer there. I smiled, thanking God, that I could park near them and know I was in the right spot. 
  We got the lambs out and took our time. While my daughter had dreams of doing well, my dreams were getting her there and home safely, hoping I wouldn’t have to back up the trailer. 
  As I stood outside the ring, the judge announced he was going to shake the hand of the Grand Champion. He walked up and shook my daughter’s hand. Her eyes looked at me and I looked at her. It was magical. I suddenly forgot my worries about fuel and trailers and all the things that go along with it. 
  She walked out of the ring with her lamb and a Grand Champion Intermediate Showmanship banner. 
It suddenly made my worries and stress worth it. Watching her achieve something she has wanted and worked for was awesome. The bonus was returning home safely, and having several people in the community congratulate her. 
Do you stop to do that? Do you find the good in someone and let them know? 
 Those moments meant so much to her. 
As I am racing around from here to there, I took a 15 minute break and cooled off at the swimming pool. I noticed a guard doing a great job. While I don’t have his mom’s phone number, I am going to make a point to find it and tell her in person. I appreciate all the guards who keep watch of the little kids! I just happened to notice this one.
 As I circle back to my concerns of harvest, I hope you take the time to slow down, pray, and find the good. Seek it out.
And may it return to you tenfold!