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The thinking chair

July 22, 2009
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from theDesk of…

by Susan Harfoot, Colonel –

It has been a year since our arrival to the USA Western Territory. The Harfoots have been in every division, and we have fallen in love with the good soldiers and outstanding officers of this great territory. It has been quite a journey, and we are looking forward to some “r & r” in July. Every summer we make our way to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to our cottage “just this side of Paradise”—Paradise, Mich., that is.

We always arrive with a long list of “projects” to accomplish while there. A few years ago, one project was to assemble and paint an Adirondack chair. We had purchased the chair a few summers before, but failed to find time to put it together. When I found the boxed chair kit under the cabin, the packaging was showing signs of mold and mildew. It was obvious that if we didn’t put the chair together soon, it would be our loss. My husband helped me assemble the chair and I set about sanding and painting. It was ready for testing. We placed it on the beach in front of the cabin and I claimed it as my own.

As I worked on this project I thought about parenting days when my children needed a “time out” or “thinking chair” moment. Usually discipline was involved, or cause for some serious contemplation. For one of my children the “thinking chair” was torture. This child could never sit still and those moments in the chair were agonizing. For another child the thinking chair became a “retreat” center and it didn’t matter how long he sat, he happily entertained himself and was content.

I find I am much like son number two. For me, the Adirondack chair is a wonderful place from which to do some serious “thinking.” From this chair I have watched the sun rise and set. I have been entertained by many a speedboat whizzing by toting happy children on inner tubes. In the quietness of the evening I have listened to the loons call their mates. Early in the morning I have watched the mist rise and burn off the surface of the lake as the sunshine warmed the waters.

The first moment I sat in my chair I realized it was my “time out” chair, my “thinking chair” my place of “refreshment “and “retreat”. It is a place where I can read and discipline my mind and nurture my spiritual walk with my Savior. It is in this chair I can pray and listen for God, and contemplate the days of my life.

I am glad that my Heavenly Father sends me to the “thinking chair” often. It is in my chair I share King David’s thoughts when he says, He [God] leads me beside the still waters, he restores my soul. It is in the “thinking chair” I can Fix my thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable…things that are excellent and worthy of praise. It is there I can keep putting into practice all I have learned and received and believe that the God of peace will be with me.It has been a year since our arrival to the USA Western Territory. The Harfoots have been in every division, and we have fallen in love with the good soldiers and outstanding officers of this great territory. It has been quite a journey, and we are looking forward to some “r & r” in July. Every summer we make our way to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to our cottage “just this side of Paradise”—Paradise, Mich., that is.

We always arrive with a long list of “projects” to accomplish while there. A few years ago, one project was to assemble and paint an Adirondack chair. We had purchased the chair a few summers before, but failed to find time to put it together. When I found the boxed chair kit under the cabin, the packaging was showing signs of mold and mildew. It was obvious that if we didn’t put the chair together soon, it would be our loss. My husband helped me assemble the chair and I set about sanding and painting. It was ready for testing. We placed it on the beach in front of the cabin and I claimed it as my own.

As I worked on this project I thought about parenting days when my children needed a “time out” or “thinking chair” moment. Usually discipline was involved, or cause for some serious contemplation. For one of my children the “thinking chair” was torture. This child could never sit still and those moments in the chair were agonizing. For another child the thinking chair became a “retreat” center and it didn’t matter how long he sat, he happily entertained himself and was content.

I find I am much like son number two. For me, the Adirondack chair is a wonderful place from which to do some serious “thinking.” From this chair I have watched the sun rise and set. I have been entertained by many a speedboat whizzing by toting happy children on inner tubes. In the quietness of the evening I have listened to the loons call their mates. Early in the morning I have watched the mist rise and burn off the surface of the lake as the sunshine warmed the waters.

The first moment I sat in my chair I realized it was my “time out” chair, my “thinking chair” my place of “refreshment “and “retreat”. It is a place where I can read and discipline my mind and nurture my spiritual walk with my Savior. It is in this chair I can pray and listen for God, and contemplate the days of my life.

I am glad that my Heavenly Father sends me to the “thinking chair” often. It is in my chair I share King David’s thoughts when he says, He [God] leads me beside the still waters, he restores my soul. It is in the “thinking chair” I can Fix my thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable…things that are excellent and worthy of praise. It is there I can keep putting into practice all I have learned and received and believe that the God of peace will be with me.

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