The familiar smell of old wood and mothballs greeted me even before the morning suns rays cracked my eyelids. I recall many childhood summer mornings that began in such a way from the spare room off of the kitchen at grandpa and grandma’s house.
The clatter of kitchen utensils and hum of the kettle on the stove just outside of the door announced the beginnings of breakfast. Grandpa and grandma had risen with the dawn and he was probably already out at the barn doing chores. Hopefully he’d waited to feed the cats so I could go back out with him after we were finished eating-and oftentimes he did wait; even though he’d had ample opportunity on the first trip he’d taken to the barn. Just knowing I’d ask he would place priority on my desire.
There were many things I could not help grandpa with, but when I could he’d usually let me. When he wasn’t in the field or working on some project around the farm he might be in the garden. This was one of the places I knew I’d be put to work. I learned a lot about gardening from my grandpa. As we planted, hoed, weeded, and picked he’d give instruction. Sometimes we worked in silence and at others he’d look up to scold because I was stepping in the rows or pulling on the plants too hard. He was mostly patient. Always kind. Stern at times, but kind.
When the sun would get too warm after lunch we found a lull on most days. Many times I convinced the hard working man to give up his short nap for a game of checkers or marbles, or my favorite – a story. I had a few favorites in their Little Golden Book collection that I never tired of. I treasure them to this day. “Puffy Plays Baseball” is about a little steam locomotive that just couldn’t keep up with the new powerful diesel engines. He began to feel very low about himself until one day he discovered he could play baseball by shooting the ball out of his smokestack. Big diesel couldn’t do that because he had no smokestack. Yay for the penant winning underdog in the glory days of baseball. I have no idea how many times I convinced grandpa to read this book to me!
These are some of my fondest memories and I replay them for you now as today is the 8th anniversary of grandpa’s passing. Commemorating these losses isn’t typical of me. The years just keep going and the memories do not fade. They need to be shared and enjoyed.
Grandpa had no ‘retirement’ years. He simply worked until he could not. He was faithful to God, family, and his farm. Even at his last the smile on his face remained little changed and his memorable laugh still replays in my mind when I see an old photo or remember a funny story. These are the things I celebrate today and wish to share in honor of a man small in stature but large in my life.
A couple of weeks ago I ordered a new pair of glasses and ever since I have been awaiting their arrival. My old ones still ‘work’. The prescription hasn’t changed that much in the few years that I’ve had this pair. Though not terribly old, the coatings on the lenses have gotten small scratches…just enough to annoy me.
Being new full-time glasses wearer at the time I ordered that pair, I thought it would be great to get transition lenses for outside wear, and various protective coatings for moisture, screen time, yada yada. It didn’t take long for me to realize I personally am not a fan of transition lenses or misc. coatings that easily scratch with daily wear.
Add to that the fact that they didn’t fit my face very well. They kept slipping down the bridge of my nose. They felt too heavy and a bit bulky. But I was stuck with them for a short while before I ordered a better fitting pair. They were more colorful, lighter, and fit my face like they were made for me. Having learned my lesson about what I do and do not like, this time I ordered a basic non scratch/non-glare finish on them. Wow! What a difference. I loved them until this summer when somehow I got a very deep scratch right in the middle of my right lense while cleaning them. My heart sank. Not that the timing is ever good, but the timing wasn’t good at all for scrounging up funds for another new pair of glasses.
So, out came the old ill fitting ones. For over half a year they’ve worked just fine I suppose. In the fall I had my eyes rechecked in hopes I’d be able to soon order something different. I waited some more…Christmas ya know. Lots of outgoing finances just didn’t afford me the luxury yet. After Christmas though, I seized my opportunity and reordered that pair that I really liked.
Yesterday when I got the mail, there was my package: a day early. Like a child I ripped open the package and eagerly pulled them out of their protective case. The very moment I positioned them on my nose and looked through them a sigh of relief inadvertently escaped. Perfect.
I had forgotten the difference of how the two pairs felt on my face. I had become accustomed to the poorly fitting and often smudgy lenses. This new pair are so light and sit perfectly on my nose. I don’t have to adjust them constantly! With only a slight adjustment to the prescription it’s amazing how much better I can see now as well. I had no idea how much I’d really been straining the last several months.
Why am I droning on and on about a simple pair of glasses that I waited too long to buy? As I sat here at the kitchen table this morning reading my Bible I was reminded of a few verses.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.11.28-30.NLT
Compare this version to the Amplified Classic:
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. [Jer. 6:16.] For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good–not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne. Matthew 11:28-30 AMPC https://bible.com/bible/8/mat.11.28-30.AMPC
That last phrase is the one that rung in my head. “My burden is light and easy to be borne.” So often we go through life bearing the weight of our burdens for so many reasons. We want to do it our way. We feel it’s necessary to carry the load our own way. Maybe, like my eyeglasses, we feel it’s okay to just get by until it’s easy or convenient to do what we know we need to do. In the meantime how we make ourselves suffer…mostly without even realizing there is One just waiting who’s saying ‘Hey, My way is so much better! It’ll be a better fit!”
Anyone who’s read my past blogs knows my rural upbringing. In my grandpa’s barn there used to be an old yoke used years ago for a team of cattle. It hung on wall covered in dust and cobwebs. When I was young I would stare at it and one day asked what it was. The thought of putting such a bulky wooden piece of equipment on cows to make them trudge through fields kind of mortified me until I was older. Then I learned more about matching up teams and the difference between a poor fitting yoke and one that was made to fit the beasts of burden well. The yoke was a good thing if worn correctly. The work was the same, but without chaffing, and an equally yoked animal shared the burden.
We have other believers sharing our load and a Master wanting to correctly fit us for the tasks ahead. He so longs to make it easier!!!!
It almost sounds cliche’ to talk about how fast the year has gone…yet, here we are. Thanksgiving only weeks away. If I don’t get going on Christmas there will be some pouty faces on December 25th as well. I’m all about planning ahead, but I want to just freeze frame this week. Take a breath and enjoy the brief fall colors while lifting thanks for the beauty of creation and the end of a valley.
October was…..a strange month around here. Not just for us, but for others that I know as well. I could say it has been difficult. There were moments it sure felt that way. It was also extremely busy. Some of the pressures were good at their roots, others were truly obstacles that were designed by the devil himself to steal, kill, and destroy. So from that standpoint I write today that on November 1st we’ve passed through those hardships victorious on the other side.
I could write about the illnesses, the sense of exhaustion that seemed to surround so many, the endless cloudy days and rain which threaten to steal crops, yada, yada….it all happened. What I will write about today are two events that will make October 2021 stand out in my memory forever.
There was a wedding celebrated toward the end of the month which brought my dear friend from Alaska. If you’ve been a reader you already know these visits are precious and few and far between. This visit also brought the majority of her family, including the grandbabies. I haven’t been blessed with little grandbabies yet. I have older grandchildren whom I love, but I didn’t get to experience their early years. Having these little ones around was such a treat. Seeing what my friend gets to experience on a regular basis, all that she talks about during our phone conversations, was truly a joy.
I also was able to spend some quality days with my friend. Catching up. Just her and I. Even when I do get to see her it’s very rare that our time is one on one. It worked out perfectly that while my in-laws were vacationing this month they were so kind to let us stay at their home on the lake. Their location just happens to be close to several antique stores. This is one of our favorite things to do together so it was an enjoyable time. Meander, talk, pick things up only to set them down again, laughing several times at some event or something said. Though I am not an overly social person, we are at our cores social creatures designed to have confidants and deep relationships. For me, that includes a spiritual core connection from which to draw. She is one of the few that I can share this with. For it, there are bonds that cannot be broken.
Bearing one another’s burdens amidst the laughs during this tougher month is one of the things that has brought us through to November intact. Better actually. We are meant to support each other. Especially those of like faith who will stand with you against the largest of obstacles.
Now for item number two: one of those obstacles this month was my dear grandma who at age 101 was diagnosed with COVID. According to the world this should have been a death sentence for her. But…thank God for people in her life who at the first mention of it said “NO!” The declaration that this curse would not be her end made all of the difference. Prayers, true prayers, for her health and well being lifted on her behalf and I knew she’d live through this and not die. Though it was difficult to not be able to see her, to not be able to encourage her in person, I had a peace in knowing I’d see her healthy again after her quarantine. She almost immediately turned for the better after her diagnosis. The positive reports at how well she was doing left doctors, nurses, and all who know her in amazement. But that’s the God we serve. She was never admitted to the hospital but for that initial diagnosis. After those few hours she was sent home…to live or die.
Two days ago I visited for the first time in over a month and there she sat. In her favorite chair by the window. Smiling. Right as rain. Not a trace of what the devil intended for her demise. We chatted for over an hour.
Yes, I know we all have an end. I am a firm believer however, that while our end is ultimately in God’s hands, our mouths have a lot to do with it. God created the world with speech, why do we think our words do not create and destroy as well? My Bible says that life and death are in the power of the tongue.
And so, today I am thankful for life. I am thankful for those in my life who speak life with me. I am thankful for the reminders this last month that God’s Word is true, trustworthy, and and a solid foundation for all worthy relationship.
As if the day knew it’s name…October 1st, even at it’s brightest the autumn sun held it’s lengthening shadow and dust hung in our air all day long. Like a timer went off most the crops have chimed “ready” so the hum of combine engines, semi haulers, and tractor tires whirring by have sung a melody from mid morn until now- dusk. And what a beautiful evening it is. The kind a country girl kinda lives for.
Forget the crazy world. For this moment I sit on my homemade swing with a slight chill on my arms. In front of me an orange orb is setting into it’s bed of lavender and pink swirls for the night. But tonight a dust cloud hovers like a fog machine has lent mystery and a unique beauty to the view. Add the crickets to the background noise and I hear: peace.
Neighboring combine working hard to bring this fields corn in.This is the haze. The harvest haze.
Alright. Alright. I apologize to the allergy sufferers out there. But it is pretty, if not easy on your other senses. I’d take this any day.
Today is also bow opening for deer season in our area. I have four family members enjoying the woods this evening. So it begins. Late dinners and early breakfasts from now until January 1, 2022. It’s worth it. Even if we don’t tag out the solitude, the peace, the freedom to just be in nature getting back to the things that really matter in life is worth it.
Sow the seed, watch it grow, harvest always comes you know.
In fields, in the woods, in the world at large this is true. Just look around.
Tonight I am breathing this country air deeply. Thankful, I have good things here to be harvested. In the natural and in the Spirit.
It has been on my heart to share a story from our past. When negativity in the world abounds going back to a victory bolsters my faith. Yes, God is currently working so I am mindful of the here and now as well. He has never stopped working.
Throughout scripture God tells us to rehearse what He has said and done. Remember. Archive…. Those past victories that will bring strength in a current situation.
So whomever this is for, besides myself, may it bless and encourage you today.
About fourteen years ago now our little family was ‘complete’ in a little rented house on the family farm. We were fairly content. Things were starting to shift in my heart. I wanted to grow. My husband did too…just not in exactly the same way. We had two sons and a daughter. The youngest at this time was six and the oldest a new teenager. Looking around at the typical family I knew it was a bit late to add another child. The idea was planted however, so I just asked God about it. I told Him that if we were to bring another baby into this world it had to be all Him. I didn’t ask my husband about it. I didn’t say anything to anyone for a very long time. Interestingly though, other people started to say things. Things like:”You have such a handsome crew, you need to have another one”, or if I was holding someone else’s baby, “A baby looks good in your arms. Any plans for another?” I’d brush it off or laugh.
As a year passed my talks with God became more serious. We didn’t have room for another person in the home we were living in. The two boys already shared a room and our daughter’s room consisted of a decent sized landing upstairs. I asked God if He intended for this new person to sleep in our bathtub. This had to be a package deal. New person=new house. Debt free.
That’s right. I said that. I could either believe for the miracle of finances for mortgage payments or for the miracle of a debt free home. The first choice seems a bit more doable in our minds because we have this take it as you go approach. ‘If God doesn’t come through somewhere along the way we could make a payment or two on our own. He would ‘provide”. Right? Isn’t that our tendency. Give me the initial way forward and I can take it from here. No. I wanted to know without a doubt that He was in this. Like David and Goliath. Like Abraham. Impossible odds only God can show up in.
Let me clarify one thing. I didn’t place a demand upon God of what He must do. I knew He was aware of our situation…and what it would take for us to add another life to ours. I asked Him to provide all of it. If He was guiding us in this direction, He would also be faithful to provide the way. One night when praying I was led to Jeremiah 29:5-7.
“Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”
The children of Israel were exiled in Babylon at this time and wanted to return to their homeland. They were crying out to God and we know verses 11 and 12 much better:
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” Jeremiah 29:11-14 NLT
Reading on into verses 13 and 14 we see that the requirements for this promise we so often quote were prayer, and looking for God wholeheartedly. Then He would be found. Then He would restore. Then He would bring them home. In the meantime, abide. Plant a garden. Raise your kids. Pray for the place you’re at.
So that’s what I did. I planted my garden in the spring of 2008 not knowing that by years end it would no longer be mine. That summer as my husband and I were cleaning our garage he out of the blue said he kept hearing one word over and over again in his spirit. “Baby.” I smiled. I knew. Okay God, now what?
Not too many days had passed and we had gone for a visit to my in-laws home. Again, out of the blue, they told us that they’d like to invest in a house for us. 💣🤯…like right now, find a house you like.
By fall we had found our house. By Christmas we were moved in and I was four months pregnant. I won’t go into all the details of the purchase, all of the prep work (it had been foreclosed on and needed some work before we could move in), and all of the ways God provided every. little. thing.
It was my miracle. Many of them all tied together actually. One thing fast upon the heels of another.
“Yes indeed, it won’t be long now.” God’s Decree. “Things are going to happen so fast your head will swim, one thing fast on the heels of the other. You won’t be able to keep up. Everything will be happening at once—and everywhere you look, blessings! Blessings like wine pouring off the mountains and hills. I’ll make everything right again for my people Israel: “They’ll rebuild their ruined cities. They’ll plant vineyards and drink good wine. They’ll work their gardens and eat fresh vegetables. And I’ll plant them, plant them on their own land. They’ll never again be uprooted from the land I’ve given them.” God, your God, says so. Amos 9:13-15 MSG
These verses come to mind when I reflect on this time period of our lives. It’s exactly what happened.
On days when I’m discouraged I can look at my boys face and know he was a special gift to us. To me. I mean, children are a blessing. All of them. This one was God’s hand in my life. And this house: it’s been a road. As all home ownership goes there have been ups and downs. We have no mortgage, but the bills are still here along with good and bad times. I can look to God and remind Him that He gave us this place. It’s His. I thank Him for His continuous provision for it.
These very personal miracles are reminders that God cares. Every detail. He hears. He knows. He wants us to ask and to listen. To trust Him. In every circumstance.
Let the world spin. I know the One who is it’s foundation. No matter what has you held captive in a foreign place, like the Israelites, you live in peace. Trust in Him. Trust His plan. Don’t back down from that dream in your heart no matter how outrageous it seems!
I heard the hum of katydids announcing their return for the first time a couple of weeks ago and though the suns’ shadows haven’t seemed to lengthen yet, I’ve noticed that the Japanese anemones have begun to bloom as well. I feel the tipping point of summer beginning to spill over…into what comes next. Within a few weeks time scholars will head back to their books. Farmers will bring in later crops and try to squeeze in that last cutting of hay. Fall will descend with it’s cooler temps and it’s change of pace.
Late summer. Can it be? I remember these nights from years ago when I was still in school. I treasured the last of my summer break before heading back to the books. The cool nights when the dew was a bit heavier and I could just stare up at the sky and watch meteor showers with wonder. Sometimes with friends. Sometimes in solitude. Always with the future on my mind.
While much has changed in these almost thirty years since my school days, there are those thoughts that remain the same. I still sense the seasons with intensity and still wish I could read into my own future as easily as I can predict the katydids return.
Summer. Here in our northern Midwest region it lasts about a full quarter of the year. I guess that’s a fair amount of time compared to other areas. It still seems to go so quickly. It reminds me of the prime of life in many ways. There is much we plan to do only to find time quickly gone. It’s not too late, but you’d better re-evaluate what exactly you’d like to accomplish as the days grow shorter.
How important is that camping trip? Those memories? The things you said you wanted to do …..
So my daughter, my youngest son, and I have spent the last couple of nights at Bay City State Recreation area on Michigan’s Eastern coastline. Saginaw Bay lacks the clear clean shore of the open lakes, but it has other features we sure have enjoyed. The sound of endless waves rolling in is the same. My favorite.
There are bountiful trails to enjoy. Wildlife abounds here too. Tobico Marsh is home to many bird species, beaver, and fish that my son has enjoyed trying to catch. We’ve spent hours hiking, enjoying the bay, and waiting for that one “bite” the would land a big fish. It has been a nice couple of needed days.
As I walked the shoreline last night I watched a family of eight enjoying the roll of the waves. They jumped, ran, giggled, played…then I overheard one of the youngest begin to complain a bit over something. The dad asked if he’d rather go home and do chores? This brought a big smile to my face and apparently I was close enough that he noticed. So I spoke up. “No. I’d rather not be at home doing the chores”. Laughter. He then acknowledged the hat I was wearing…Farm Girl. I guess that gave it away. He even knew where I’d bought it. His daughter owns the same one. Obviously we shared a common bond. Of course I’d felt drawn to this crew from the moment I’d noticed them. My kind of people. When you do get a chance to get away from the pull of rural life you just make sure to enjoy it. And they were.
Today we’ve packed up to head home. It was short lived, but I’ve got beans to can. Something about that chance encounter breathed some fresh life into me. I can go back reassured that I’m not the only country bumpkin who wishes to return to the rural life.
This fourth of July weekend I see things trying to get back to some semblance of “normalcy”…there are fireworks displays, parades, gatherings, and people everywhere. Underneath it all it things are still very off kilter, but I’m happy to see flares in the sky and hear the rumbles in the distance.
I could go on about the state of the world. The good and the bad. There is much that should be said. As I sit here in my grandma’s kitchen it all becomes a temporary blur. She is on the phone talking to her sister. I am not trying to eavesdrop. Her last remaining sister lost her husband this week. A path my sweet grandmother has already walked, she is able to shed light and knowledge on this new circumstance of life. How does one continue on without the person you’ve spent the majority of your life with? You just do. Like this last year of craziness and losses, you press in and on.
As their conversation continued, and I tried to focus elsewhere, I happened upon the realization that I was privy to something rare and beautiful. Two remaining sisters, each having reached milestones and markers in life that most do not, sat talking about the future. What now? As one poured herself out the other listened offering support. They have each other. While there is a decade between them, together they contain a century of experiences and memories. After the phone was hung up grandma shared with me that a visit was in the works for the two of them to talk about that issue…”what now?” Little sis will glean from the elder intimate details of losses and hope for future gains yet to be had.
I’ve since gone home, then joined couple of my kids and husband for a fireworks display at dusk. Sleep evades me as thoughts explode like the ramparts in the sky.
To live lives like my grandma and great aunt; this is what battles have been fought over. Independence. Freedom to live a century in relative peace. Oh they have had plenty of wars and much division in their time. Read your history from 1920 to 2020. A bigger picture to live outside ones self also existed during most of this century. God.Family.Country. This priority list brought peace despite conflict. We fought government control by seeking God’s control first. It is what we were founded on. That is what made this nation unique in it’s greatness.
We stand on the brink of loss because we cannot see the beauty of what we have or the cost of what we’ve laid down. There is a price being paid for our current state of self absorbed existence. I do not mean that we are to give up self, our identity, for country (communism, socialism ….most other ism’s) I mean the ability to see we are not entities unto ourselves. If our divisions will be bridged it must be because we have equality, balance, wisdom, strength in God alone. He is the Great equalizer.
This is why, though we are regaining some facade of normalcy, I still feel the underlying unease that not all is well. Until the rotten core is exposed it doesn’t matter how we try to patch up or polish the exterior appearance. If I want to see 100 like the ladies before me….if I want my kids and grandkids to not succumb to the mind numbing insanity we are calling freedom right now….then we need to not just spend time on our knees praying, we need to be the ones God uses as voices of what is right. I’ve not read a single Biblical account where the battle fought in spirit was not met with some action as well.
After writing that paragraph I took a moment to read my morning devotions and today they began in the book of Jeremiah. How timely. He was called before birth..(may I plead against abortion at this juncture as well)…to stand up against some nations and make a stand of support for others. Whether or not a nation was to succeed was based solely on their decision to exist for God or against Him.
“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, “Look, I have put my words in your mouth! Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow. Others you must build up and plant.” Jeremiah 1:5-10 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/jer.1.5-10.NLT
Every generation has a time to choose. My grandparents generation as a whole stood for righteousness on many occasions. My parents generation, sadly, let quite a bit slip. What will ours do? How about our children’s? Will they continue to celebrate old age treasuring each other until the separation of death? Will they watch fireworks displays with pride or take them for granted and let them be taken away (like our Mt. Rushmore celebration)? Or celebrate athletes who show disdain for all that’s been won through history for their arrogant status. (Too many to mention here)?????
If we want to continue on in our “freedoms” we must look at how we attained them in the first place. They were not just given. We cannot just expect them. From sea to shining sea people have got to grow some brain cells, a voice box, legs to stand on, and then use every one of these God given things to say no.
Other countries, like Australia and Canada for example, are actually threatening freedom at the cost of mandatory vaccination. Will we let our land go that far “for the greater good”, or will we put a stake in the ground to maintain the freedoms of choice on so many levels?
So many questions to ponder. How are we going to answer them? I want to sit on the phone with someone in about 50 years pondering a good life mostly behind me. A life filled with freedoms and choices, not demands. The only demands I honor are those made by God Himself.
Of all of the months of the year, this one may be my favorite. Oh wait, I may also have said that about May. Both rank right up there. Where first blooms fill my imagination at the beginning of May, they come to full bloom filling my vases in June.
June in southern Michigan also brings kittens. Thirteen of them for us this year. They are not a favorite for a couple of the men here, but those of us who can’t resist the little furballs have enjoyed their arrival. We cannot keep them all…
….word on the farm is that we already have too many animals.
Another June activity around here has been garden planting. Yes, it should have been done in May. With the recent heat we have been quick to catch up. The garden is a bit more limited this time around. I’ve opted only for the basics: sweet corn, tomatoes, summer squash, some pumpkins, green beans in raised beds, as well as cukes, and peas. These are what we love to eat fresh and what we cannot I put away in jars for winter. I used to grow more…I’m over that.
It’s strawberry season as well. I was gifted several years ago with just a few plants and now they have occupied the whole west side of our barn. For the last five days I’ve picked a quart. Shortcake, fresh ice cream, and loose nibbles are the first tastes of produce this late spring. Next will be some jam.
Amidst all of this we’ve had birthdays to celebrate, visitors to host, and work to juggle with play. Thank goodness our last day of school was a couple of weeks ago. I had envisioned a quiet morning book in hand, a coffee in the other, to celebrate the end of the school year. It hasn’t happened yet.
What has happened is life. Good life. I find my time hanging laundry on the line, petting kittens, picking strawberries, all great opportunities to speak to God who created all these moments. That’s right. In the middle of June and all it holds is always the perfect time to be thankful for the first half of the year, and the other half yet to come. Whatever the summer holds I plan to find these blips of time and use them well.
This morning this song was running through my head before I even crawled out of bed. It continued to play as I went outside to do the morning chores. I didn’t think much of it…just sang.
Let me tell you..it’s true. God’s goodness never fails. It’s running after us. It is constant, whether we see it or not. To those who conscientiously choose to serve Him; the benefits are even greater. There is a reason I pray Psalms 91 over our household most mornings. It reminds me of His promises to us. I have a constant hope and reassurance that no matter what happens around me, I am held.
“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord : He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” Psalms 91:1-16 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.91.1-16.NLT
I begin this post this way today because the last couple of weeks have given us opportunity to see firsthand the protection and provision of God.
A couple of weeks ago my husband, who is an independent building contractor, faced the task of setting the largest wooden trusses he and his crew have ever handled. I do not exaggerate. These things are huge. For those reading who may not know what I’m referring to, these are the structures placed on top of the walls which will hold the roof. Typically they are triangular in shape. They must be lifted, placed evenly, and adequately fastened one at a time the whole length of the structure in the case of this barn.
As the day approached to take on this task I had a heaviness, a wariness, resting on me. It could have turned into fear, but I kept lifting this whole thing up in prayer each time it came to mind. I know God holds our lives and well being.
The day the crane arrived to set these trusses my in-laws picked my youngest son and I up and we made the trip to the job site just to watch. It’s not everyday we get to see a crane swing feet upon feet of wooden structure through the air to each ones resting place high upon the walls. Once heavily secured, the team works in tandem, a dance almost, to get another one hoisted and do the same. They made it look easy. I breathed a little lighter, but still mumbled prayers as we drove off after about an hour or so, leaving them to their task. They had so many more to do.
As we headed home it was impossible not to notice the clouds on the horizon. This is not what they needed. The forecasts slim chance of rain decided to materialize. Our home is about thirty minutes south and west of the job site, so it hit here first. Not much wind, but short lived hail and rain hit us pretty good. Once again I lifted a prayer for the safety of the crew as I sent a text off to my husband. I could see the storm split in two…one half headed southeast and the other northeast-directly toward that barn. He called me, I reassured him there hadn’t been too much wind. It should be okay?
As their horizon also darkened they decided to play it safe and shut down much earlier than they would have otherwise. Everyone headed for home, but before reaching it a phonecall came to say winds had taken down the trusses. Only a short time after their departure those trusses had become twisted, broken, falling pieces of wood. On one hand it was devastating news. On the other, they hadn’t been there. Nothing was harmed that couldn’t be replaced.
The first miracle was that still small warning…and we all heeded it. I prayed, they left.
The next miracle is that within two weeks time the insurance claim has been settled and paid out so work could rapidly resume. Anyone dealt with insurance companies before? This is a quick turnaround for such a large claim.
So today was truss day attempt number two. I still had reservations. We prayed this morning as always. And that song….it played on repeat in my head. God would watch over them all.
Miracle number three: Shortly after lunch time today I got a phone call. My husband. Had I heard what happened? Um no. During the resumed dance of placing a truss a coworker “just happened to see” the cable on the crane fraying. That’s right. Before his eyes the cable that held thousands of pounds was fraying. I shudder to think what catastrophe was once again avoided. Crises averted yet again. I see it only as the Divine Hand of protection over these men, despite the adversity obviously attempting to stall the construction of this barn, or harm those involved.
I’m not sure when truss day number three will happen, but when it does I will be on my knees confident my prayer is heard in heaven. I praise Him in thankfulness.
Some of the salvaged pieces that stood for only a short amount of time
In 2008, two weeks before Christmas, we made the move into this home. Days and nights of hard work lasting for over a month and a half had brought us to the point where this old place was somewhat remodeled and ready for our comfort. What had been left unfinished would be a work in progress. All houses are works in progress I suppose. From little fixes and basic upkeep to roof maintenance and large repairs it seems there is always something on the “to do” list.
I hadn’t imagined the largest item left unfinished would remain so for almost another twelve years. If I had only known I’m sure that I would’ve pressed harder for our kitchen to be finished before moving day. As it was, wallpapering was being done by family members at the same time boxes were being moved in and shuffled to various locations. The cupboards were painted and clean. The table set up. Wallpaper was crisp and new. The two different floors that met in the middle were left unfinished..but we’d get to that.
Fast forward through the birth of our last son, three graduations, many other home projects and alot of life. Each year began with the question in the back of my mind of whether or not we’d get the floor done by December 31. Each year the answer was a resounding no. Something else would come up. Legitimate, pressing things, would take it’s place. And so, at the end of 2019, when most of our appliances took a dump at almost the same time, we decided to replace them in one fell swoop. At least we had new matching stainless steel appliances to brighten our mismatched broken floor and now peeling wallpaper. Then 2020. There is nothing more to say about that. Dawn 2021- and the government’s desire to pass out stimulus money like candy. Fine. Thank you for the reality of an oak floor that will now outlast the span of many presidents to come.
Half of this kitchen floor was original to the best of our knowledge. That means the tight growth rings of white oak from 1886 have seen quite a lifespan here already. They are nearly impossible to replicate and the 2″ width isn’t even factory made anymore. Despite the fact that half of the floor would show minor differences it was our feeling that the old floor had to be kept. Truthfully, the richness of it’s age brought out by a good sanding and a few coats of polyurethane makes it outshine the new wood. Years of wear have worn deep into the layers. It will take just as many for the new portion to catch up.
The nasty linoleum which covered half of the floor where an old entry had been.Ripping it out! A thousand nails held it down. The old isn’t always easily removed…it can take effort.Refinished old oak. The picture doesn’t do it justice. Here is the new oak. Similar in color and size, but lacking every ounce of character the other side has developed over 100 years time.
My heart sees many lessons in this. Namely, the beauty that time and life can bring. I say can.
Even though scrapes, spills, rough wear, and little upkeep left the wood ugly and dirty.. to the point that some of it was splintering…it was always our desire to refinish it. Bring it back to life. Leave it shining. Some of the scars are still visible, but they’ve been cared for and ultimately add beauty to the finished work. Other marks were gently sanded and sanded again until they faded to extinction.
Here’s where the word “can” comes in. Oh when we let the master carpenter, the chief architect, the finisher of our story go to work He will take our rough dirty lives and transform them into shining examples of His handiwork. He longs to ‘refinish’ us. If we will let Him sand us, polish away the wounds, take care of our scars, and cover it all with a coating that stands the test of time: His blood. Rather than looking like old split wood, rough with wear, He wants to restore to beauty.
Through all of the life that has occurred in my waiting maybe this project holds a correct focus for me now that it might not have had those years ago. I have a deeper appreciation for the parallels an old floor holds. New is beautiful. Old refinished character cannot be rushed or replicated. This Easter embrace Jesus who sacrificed everything to recreate you. On a tree of His own making He took every one of our flaws with the hope we would allow Him to refinish us. Make us complete. Finally finished.
creatingalovelyhome 