Craftsmanship

I’ve always wanted to make quilts for our children, but after attempting to do so learned; I’m not a quilter.

However, I’ve been very blessed to watch our oldest daughter learn the craft from a professional.

Recently, I had the extreme pleasure of watching them together.

Although both were very busy, they shared  their enthusiasm over a blue ribbon.

Both of them put so much work into our daughter’s quilt.

(She pieced it, the professional quilted it, then Sis did the binding.)

It’s truly a beautiful testimony to their efforts.

Each quilt, in the show, bears a few words as to the story of the piece, and my heart was blessed to read the lines our daughter chose.

She made sure to include the lovely lady who has taught her so much.

To see the gift of a useful and beautiful craft passed on to our daughter causes me to rejoice.

For this is a gift from God.

‭James 1:17 KJV‬
[17] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

In the Old Testament, God gives detailed instructions to Moses on every part of the tabernacle.

God not only gave instruction on what was to be made, He gave wisdom to the heart of those who would do the work.

‭Exodus 31:1-6 KJV‬
[1] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [2] See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: [3] and I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, [4] to devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, [5] and in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. [6] And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;

The Israelites had been slaves for several hundred years,so it’s difficult to imagine that many of them had the education in these areas of craftsmanship.

But God is not hindered by one’s education, and He names two men who had been given the Spirit of God and wisdom for all the tasks at hand.

Matthew Henry had an interesting point as to Bezaleel.

“Bezaleel was to be the architect, or master workman, v. 2. He was of the tribe of Judah, a tribe that God delighted to honour; the grandson of Hur, probably that Hur who had helped to hold up Moses’s hands (ch. 17), and was at this time in commission with Aaron for the government of the people in the absence of Moses (ch. 24:14); out of that family which was of note in Israel was the workman chosen, and it added no little honour to the family that a branch of it was employed, though but as a mechanic, or handicraft tradesman, for the service of the tabernacle.” Matthew Henry

The idea that this man’s grandfather could have been the same one who stood holding up the arm of Moses during the battle brings new meaning.

Hur was used by God to support Moses, who in turn, was supporting, through prayer, the nation as the Israelites, lead by Joshua, fought against their enemies.

How fitting that his grandson should be used to help build the tabernacle where the entire nation would worship.

God supplied all that was needed in both settings and He’s still working in the lives of people through others, today.

He is still putting His wisdom in the hearts of people to grant them incredible abilities for the blessing of many.

God is the Master Craftsman, it is His creativity which mankind has been gifted with.

Psalm 115:15 KJV — Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your Word! Thank You for Your good gifts and the multitude of people You bless through those gifts. Lord, what great wonders of creativity are around us daily, all gifts from You, whether we recognize it or not. Lord, thank You for Your creativity and the creation which testifies of You every day. Lord, thank You for people who are gifted in special crafts. Thank You for those who teach others and pass the craft on to the future generations. Lord, thank You for those who bless others without looking forward reward or payment, but are generous because they have been blessed by Your generosity. Lord Jesus, please continue to help each of those who bear Your name to see the opportunities You give and to serve those around them. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

A bird’s nest

It’s the small tokens of love, added to the large ones, which speaks loudly.

The moments when someone went out of their way to bless, when they could have easily passed on by.

My husband did one of those this weekend.

We have a large lawn around the house.

From the beginning of our married-life-in-a-home-of-our-own he’s said, “I just like grass, nothing in the way, just grass.”

It took time for me to understand what he meant.

(I know it was clearly stated, but my love of flowers, trees, and ornamental bushes couldn’t grasp it.)

He really enjoys being able to just mow the lawn and have a neat and tidy yard without a lot of fuss.

However, he’s also learned that I’m not like that, at all.

I enjoy the work of gardening and the flowers, fruits, and veggies which come from it.

So, he’s given over parts of his lawn to a veggie garden, orchard, berry garden, flower beds, and recently to a play structure for the grandbabies.

As he was moving the play structure to mow, he found a bird’s nest built on the ground.

Thankfully, nothing was in it.

It couldn’t remain where it was, both the nest and future young would be in danger from the dog or the grandkids or the mower.

I happen to love old bird’s nest and have a small collection.

Although my husband was not a third of the way completed with his mowing and the rain clouds were threatening, he stopped what he was doing to gently carry it inside to give to me.

I was so surprised and responded, “Oh! It’s lovely! I have a collection of bird’s nest too.”

He smiled, “I know. Where do you want it?”

Immediately, I made a place for the nest.

I thanked my husband, kissed him, and he returned to his mowing.

His small gesture of love warms my heart.

Not because he doesn’t do huge things that say, “I love you” but because he does both.

And I know where love like his originates.

My husband loves me through the little things as well as the monumental, because Jesus loves that way.

1 John 4:19-21KJV — We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

Mark 12:29-31KJV — And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

John 13:34-35 KJV — A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

I pray that I can love as I am loved.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word! Thank You for helping me understand what true love is and where to find it: in You! Lord, please bless my husband for how much he loves me and others. Please help me to love as You do. Lord, help my husband and I to continue to love one another as You love us. Help our marriage to be inspiring to those around us. Lord, thank You for the bird’s nest. I know You are watching over them. In Your Word You said not one falls that You don’t know about. Thank You for being God Almighty, who sees all and knows all. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

Moments of opportunity

This week has been dotted with unexpected opportunities.

Bell and Anne both care take for a dear lady in her late nineties.

Bell pulled a double shift on Monday and called near the end of the first shift.

She had failed to pack enough food for herself, not being accustomed to the double shift time.

Since her husband is still not allowed to drive because of his seizure disorder, the request fell to me.

I happily obliged her and soon was knocking on the door.

After giving her the food I asked if the lady she cares for was up for a visit.

I was invited in and sat next to the recliner where this beautiful woman was resting.

Her smile is something undescribable.

We chatted, I shared a video of our two year old granddaughter with her.

She watched it twice and smiled, her beautiful smile.

It was really a blessing.

When she seemed to be growing tired I took my leave.

Her parting words were, “Be sure to come again.”

I’m planning on it.

Wednesdays Jase works first on the ranch and then cleans the church.

I pick him up there when he’s finished.

Our church has two buildings, one is a historic building with a newer addition and the other is the main building, which sits uphill from the other.

As I drove up the road I noticed an ambulance sitting in front of the old building.

I questioned Jase about it, without success.

He hadn’t even known they were there, but we both knew whose truck was parked outside the old building and drove back down to see what was happening.

Just after we got out of our truck, a dear lady from our church, who heads the Wednesday afternoon children’s club pulled up.

She explained that E— was helping at Children’s Club and tripped over a chair, falling hard upon his shoulder.

“They think it’s dislocated. I saw you drive up and thought we could pray for him.”

*Absolutely!”

The three of us joined hands, bowed our heads and began to pray.

When we finished, I was a little startled to hear an unfamiliar male voice saying, “Amen.”

I turned and to my right stood a total stranger.

“I hope you don’t mind. I’m an artist and I saw that unique tree over there and wanted to get a picture of it. As I was walking back to my car I saw you and said to myself, ‘They’re praying,’ so I joined in.”

We told him we were glad he did, asked him where he was from and invited him to visit again.

Another lady from our church, who had remained with E— while the paramedics worked on him appeared following them as they rolled him out of the church and into the ambulance.

The new gentleman asked who he was and what happened.

Answering as best we could our attention turned to S—- as she left the ambulance and came over to talk with us.

“They’re pretty certain his shoulder is dislocated but have to run X-rays to be sure it’s not broken.”

I hadn’t noticed the absence of the man who had joined us in prayer until he returned the children’s books.

“I wrote and illustrated these and wanted to give you all one.”

Before long he was leaning over the car hood writing a note in each.

S—- left her book in the care of B—-, our Children’s Club director so she could head to the hospital.

The gentleman told us he needed to go to make it back home in time for a service at his own church about an hour’s drive away.

I again asked him to come back so we could show him hospitality and B—- told him she and her husband had a spare room he was welcome to any time.

His expression was precious, and he drove away with a friendly honk and wave.

I hugged B—- at our parting thanking her for praying with us and all she does.

Much later, I received a text from S—- relating about E—.

His shoulder wasn’t broken and they got it back where it belongs, he would be discharged soon.

My heart is so thankful for these moments with others.

I am truly grateful to God for His moments of opportunity.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for each of these people. Please continue to be with those who are suffering, those who are in so much need. Lord, please keep us from apathy, may we never forget that every person was created by You. Lord, thank You for Your blessings and these beautiful moments this week. Lord, please continue to help me recognize these opportunities and to walk in Your ways as they come along. Thank You for all Your wonderous works! Amen.

Our home orchard

Some of my favorite memories of summertime, when our children were small, was going to orchards and picking fruit.

Afterwards the children would enjoy ripe cherries or peaches for days and I would process as much as possible.

The house we lived in, when our two youngest children were born, had two pear trees, which furnished a great addition to our meals.

Not only fresh, but canned, baked, and sauce.

Even when we’ve not been able to purchase locally grown, fruit is a regular part of our diet.

To plant our own home orchard became part of our plan for this property before we moved here.

Yesterday, we added three more trees to those we planted our first Spring.

Just one tree is wanting and that project will be complete, only requiring seasonal maintenance.

My husband commented on how long we will have to wait for fruit to be abundant.

His tone was rather melancholy, until he reflected that our grandchildren certainly should enjoy the fruits of our labors.

Which caused me to meditate upon a scripture I’d recently heard.

Jeremiah 29:4-7 KJV‬
[4] Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon; [5] Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; [6] take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. [7] And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

God spoke clearly to those who, sparred from death during the invasion, were taken from their homes to Babylon.

Despite experiencing the discipline for their rebellion, God was still speaking life to them, and giving them clear instruction.

God’s instruction was to plant themselves where God had removed them and to flourish.

Then, He continues.

Jeremiah 29:10 KJV‬
[10] For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

God’s plan included a return to their homeland, although not in the near future.

Then God gave them a promise.

Jeremiah 29:11 KJV — For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Even in the midst of extreme disaster, brought on by their own rebellion, God was promising a future of hope.

Although, our home orchard is a sort of future hope, the one God promises is far more lasting.

Lamentations 3:26 KJV — It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your promise of eternal life to all those who believe. Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for Your truth. Thank You that this life and the struggles which are part of it is only temporary and for those who call upon Your name it is an opportunity, lasting but a moment compared to eternity. Lord Jesus, thank You for those things in this life which brings to remembrance Your truth, Your promises, Your love. For great is the love You have towards us, and greatly shall we praise Your holy name! Amen.

Thankful for a goat

Her name is Hephzibah, but Eppie for short.

When she arrived, in the back of the car, I was ready to be as nurturing as required and looked forward to her getting use to me, which she did.

I hadn’t expected how challenging she would be, although I have had goats before.

She brought a new dimension to clever and resourceful.

She became so good at escaping the fence, opening the lids to the feed cans, and in general causing havoc we had to segregate her.

When we purchased another doe kid, I expected there to be some improvement, but Eppie took as much dislike to Tabby as she did of the sheep.

Thus, we again segregated her, because she continually turned up in the neighbor’s hay field rather than remain with the company we had supplied.

In the fall we went to the expense and trouble of hauling her to a buck for breeding.

I told multiple family members, “She’d better have a doe kid so I can sell her; she’s such a handful!”

February came and although she’d been residing in the barn receiving grass hay, alfalfa, and grain I couldn’t discern what was occurring as she had no signs of a bag, which I found unusual.

I spoke with the breeder, who is a wealth of information and help.

My dates were wrong so I still expected her to have babies.

March arrived and it was soon clear.

Eppie isn’t pregnant, just over fed.

Since it’s a lot of extra work to keep her penned up by herself our son began to work at finding her escape route into the neighbor’s field.

He successfully found and repaired the hole in the fence and we were excited to turn her out.

Excited until we received a phone call from our son-in-law that they found her in the barn eating grain.

Extra ties on all the gates, ties on the grain lids, and we put her back out.

We came home to both cans on their sides but lids still in place and several of my strawberry plants gone.

This week our son was determined to find her new route and successfully ended her escapades.

While watching him hard at work, my heart realized I hadn’t been thankful.

Our son heard many words of gratitude, but I’d missed thanking God for this goat.

I’d been focused on the feed wasted, frustration, disappointment, and the like.

The Lord reminded me to be thankful and at first I had to ask, “For what?”, but I knew better.

“Lord, thank You for this goat.”

Then, I began to see all the blessings.

Our shed isn’t set up for milking that would happen if she’d been pregnant, nor do we have the extra right now to get it prepared.

“Thank You for not having us be milking right now.”

Because she didn’t get pregnant, the breeder agreed to save me a buckling so in future I won’t have to go anywhere, just put him with the does at the right time.

“Thank You for the newest breeding stock heading our way.”

Our lambs will soon be in the field with their mother and another praise came to mind.

“Thank You for showing Jase all the places in the fence that were in need before we put the lambs out.”

About this time, our son, back in the house, to report that Eppie was in the fence and hadn’t been able to get out, although had attempted it.

He was as pleased as I, for we both were irritated about her continuing trouble.

No other animal on the property has given us more problems and we’ve discussed the idea of simply selling her, but none of us can get around the fact that we actually like her.

Why are we wasting so much effort on such a difficult animal?

Frankly, I’m not sure, except through her we are learning patience, perseverance, and the joys of success.

Yesterday, I was watching the other animals follow her lead as I called them to the feeding pans.

“Lord, thank You for this goat. We are learning so much.”

Truly, life is teaching me to be thankful no matter the circumstances.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your blessings. Lord, I admit, I have complained about this animal ten times more than I have been thankful. Please forgive me. Lord, I want to be walking in Your ways and faithful to You, looking on all things with gratitude. Lord, please show me what Your plan is for this goat. Thank You that Jase has successfully fixed the fence. Lord, thank You for this buckling we are going to add to the farm. Please help me to choose wisely from the two offered. Lord, please continue to guide us as to what we are to do with the farm. It belongs to You and we want to be good stewards. Lord, we belong to You and we want our lives to be a reflection of You that those who have yet to know You will desire a more intimate relationship with You. Lord, all of this is temporary and we do want to use it for eternal gain, to be a blessing. Thank You for all Your wonderous works. Thank You for Your incredible patience. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

Encouragement for each day

When I was a teen, I knew the Bible was where I should find encouragement, but it seemed evasive.

Now that I’m in my forties I can see my error.

As a teen I wanted to just open the Bible, read a passage and “walla!” all my problems solved!

God never intended the Bible to be a Bingo game, nor is a relationship with Him to be like a once-a-year check-up like the doctor.

He’s not satisfied with a relationship where I only go to Him when I’m in trouble and “do my own thing” the majority of the time.

As a teen I would have quickly stated, “God is very important to me”but what I did with my free time, who I chose to hangout with, and what I looked at to gage my value told a different tale.

Praise God! He showed me the right way to serve Him.

God has also taught me to look to His Word for all things and to take my time reading it.

For it is in the scriptures that I find truth and the beginning of my journey with learning about the Lord.

For He is God Almighty and His glorious attributes are far more brilliant and beautiful than the pale words we use, like good, gracious, merciful, mighty, all powerful, all knowing, righteous, and true.

Yet, the more I spend time reading the scriptures the more I begin to grasp how awesome He is.

And the more I learn about my Lord, the more I realize how much I still don’t know.

Just today a passage I’ve read and reread has blessed my heart in a fresh way and granted me the encouragement I was in need of.

I didn’t find it because I came to the scriptures to “feel better”, although I do that too.

I found this encouragement because I was simply spending time with my Lord and Savior reading His precious Word.

‭Psalm‬ ‭37:39‬ ‭KJV‬
[39] But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: He is their strength in the time of trouble.

God knew I needed to read this passage today and that it’s promises would be refreshing to my soul.

I hope you too find refreshment in the Word of God as you spend time just reading His precious Word.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word! Thank You for showing me this verse today and blessing my heart with it so much. Lord, thank You for teaching me the difference from reading Your Word out of duty and truly reading it from a heart of love. Lord, there is such depth, such beauty, such amazing truth in Your Word! I am so amazed by how You do things and how great You are. Lord, Your ways are perfect and I am so humbled to be Your servant. Thank You for Your salvation. Thank You for Your incredible gift, the Bible. Thank You for loving me so much, I can’t even grasp the depth of it. Thank You, Jesus for all Your wonderous works. I praise Your holy name!! Amen.

Doubled

Earlier this Autumn, I had a disappointment.

The sourdough starter I’d carefully maintained in the fridge all Summer had been “woken up” and was ready for my first batch of bread when I discovered a fly floating on top amongst the bubbles.

Obviously, I had to toss it out and it was disappointing.

However, I decided not to capture more wild yeast until the flies were gone, because I’d done everything in my power to keep my yeast clean, but had failed.

This week I’d decided to capture more wild yeast.

My family knew I had planned to capture more, but not the exact day, so when my husband called inquiring about it I was surprised.

He briefly related to me that a coworker of his had lost his sourdough starter and asked if I’d share some of mine once I got it going again.

“Of course! Please make sure he knows it’s wild yeast and that I don’t use white flour, only wheat or rye.”

My husband was sure this would be fine with the other man and hung up.

Last night I showed the jars of starter to my husband so he’d know where they were.

He called me this morning about the starter.

“Honey, I forgot to jar and he asked if you’d please write down how you do it.”

“Absolutely! I’m glad you didn’t take it, it’s not ready yet. I’ll write the steps down for him.”

As I began jotting down the process, I had to smile.

Here is another example of how God used a mistake of mine.

If my starter had not been ruined I wouldn’t have begun again, instead I’d have just scooped out some and given it away without another thought.

This way I have the process written down not only to share with my husband’s coworker, but for my own recipe book.

I’m so thankful to God for showing me how He’s working in my life.

For I’m beginning to see that I can and should praise God for everything, including disappointments.

It’s a new way of thinking, but I’m glad to get a glimpse of how awesome God truly is.

Deuteronomy 10:21 NKJV — “He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word! Thank You for Your patience with me as I learn to rest in Your promises and wait upon You. You use things I couldn’t possibly imagine to do things I’d never expect. Lord, I love that You are showing me how much You care for people and how great is Your faithfulness. Lord Jesus, please continue to work through the lives of Your servants to reach those who have yet to know You. May Your name be glorified throughout the Earth! I love You, Jesus. Amen.

Green tomato chutney

It’s happened before, wondering what to do with those tomatoes which didn’t ripen in time.

Some will ripen, but others won’t.

After all the work from seed to plant to fruit, it’s not really the goal to just throw them away.

Although our animals love tomatoes, green, red or somewhere in between.

A week ago, we realized we’d better pull up our tomato plants as the weather was predicting so much rain there was a flood warning out.

Tomatoes on the vine split and are ruined when given too much water and we thought it best to pick all the fruit and feed the vines to the livestock.

Which left me with the five gallon bucket of green tomatoes.

Before all this my sister has texted me two recipes for green tomatoes, one being a chutney.

She’d mentioned trying it and not being very pleased, but it stuck in my head and I looked up other recipes and finally settled on one.

This morning I’ll be canning green tomato chutney.

I sincerely hope we like it!

Why go to all that trouble?

There have been seasons I couldn’t, whether from a lack of time or energy or both.

My conviction is to use whatever I’m able to be a blessing and that includes green tomatoes, because I don’t want to miss an opportunity from the Lord.

In the past I would have been disappointed about so many green tomatoes and focused on what I didn’t have, but the Lord has been changing my perspective to see the blessings He gives in the things I don’t necessarily want to deal with.

Therefore, whether the chutney turns out to be something we like and make again or not, I’m thanking God for the chance to do something different and find joy in the opportunity.

Philippians 4:4 NKJV — Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word! Thank You for teaching me how to change my perspective and walk with You in all things with a grateful heart. Lord, I do not know what will come from these green tomatoes, but I humbly request You teach me how to use all the things You have placed in my stewardship for I want to glorify Your name and be a blessing to others. Lord, I don’t want to charge ahead into my own ideas or make plans for my future, because I haven’t the slightest idea what the future holds. Rather, I want to be Your servant and friend, waiting patiently beside You and walking with You wherever You lead. Lord Jesus, please help each of us who are called by Your name to walk in integrity and live for You, not in the futility of our own minds and not being led away by the arrogance of our own flesh to do what pleases themselves, for it’s a wasted effort, a very temporary pleasure. Lord, nothing fills my heart with joy like serving You does. There’s nothing that gives me peace like Your Word and the encouragement from Your Holy Spirit. Thank You. May the whole earth be filled with the knowledge of Your glory. Amen.

Through the eyes of a one year old

Our female rabbit, Velvet, had babies.

We brought one inside for the grandbabies to see and gently touch.

Joy was full of excitement as she kept trying to reach out and grab hand-fulls of fur

When we tried to help her to gently pet it, she responded with trying to hold it.

We thwarted every attempt until she grew frustrated and I took the bunny back to it’s home outside.

Joy couldn’t understand why we didn’t let her hold the rabbit, why we wouldn’t allow her to squeeze it with her hands.

She was so excited to experience this new, but her pleasure was quickly overtaken by her desires which were restricted, unmet, and denied.

She wasn’t mature enough to understand how her desires would lead to harm for both herself and the bunny.

All she could see was the denial of her wishes.

As I was heading outside, she was still voicing her displeasure in anything, but a gentle manner.

How easy it is to look at her and shake one’s head at her self will and unreasonable attitude which robbed both her siblings and herself of a longer visit with the bunny.

Although we caused her to be upset, we refused to allow her to harm herself or the rabbit, because that’s the loving thing to do.

Yet, pausing for a moment to look through her eyes, I can suddenly see myself.

How often has the Lord restricted me, left my desires unmet, and denied my requests?

Often.

Because, I wasn’t mature enough to understand the harm for myself or my loved ones granting these things would have brought.

Sometimes, I can look backwards through these moments and realize the blessings of the restrictions, denials, and disappointments.

Other times, I am left wondering what else was part of these circumstances which I couldn’t understand in the midst of it all.

But either way, I’m learning to check my attitudes and words when experiencing these things, for I don’t want to be robbed of the gifts God is giving me even while He is removing something.

I never want to be counted among those who scorn the blessings of the Lord as common or cheap, but rather to praise Him continually even if I’m feeling disappointed.

My Heavenly Father is good and His ways are trustworthy.

When I am voicing my concerns, emotions, or needs I want to be sure they are flavored by faith, mixed with praise, and spoken in humility.

Psalm 145:3 KJV — Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your blessings and encouragement. Thank You for this moment with our granddaughter which has been a wonderful reminder for me not to waste my time on what I can’t do or don’t have, but instead rejoice in all You have blessed me in and be grateful for those You have placed around me. I am truly amazed by how patient You are. Your grace and mercy are incredible and Your truth is life. Lord, please continue to hone my heart into Your image that I might bring glory to Your name. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Manure

I can’t recall how old I was, but the memory is vivid.

My parents were taking us to a party at a home we’d never been before.

The people hosting were known to my parents, but not to me or my younger sister.

I had secret hopes of playing outdoors with other children, but my thoughts were diverted away from these plans after we got out of the car.

“What is that smell?”

The odor grew stronger we walked down the sidewalk.

We turned into the path to the door and I was puzzled by the stuff which covered the lawn.

Where every other house had green turf, this had a lumpy brown stuff.

My parents cautioned us not to mention the smell, hold our noses, or to make faces as we waited for someone to respond to the doorbell.

The nice lady who answered immediately apologized for the smell with an explanation.

“Well, I don’t know how we managed it, but somehow my husband and I miscommunicated and he ordered a truck load of cow manure to cover the yard today. I’d sent out the invitations for this weeks ago and couldn’t change it.”

She laughed and ushered us inside.

My parents assured her they didn’t mind at all.

The party wasn’t ruined, it was lovely and we left having enjoyed our time.

(And although I didn’t get to play outside nor were there other children our ages, the grownups included us in their game.)

Funny how perspective changes one’s outlook, even upon a childhood memory.

I can imagine, now, how trying that must have been for the hostess.

(Talk about a stinky situation!)

But I’m thankful she didn’t allow the manure in their yard to hinder her from opening her home to others and celebrating.

I’m also impressed that she didn’t, as far as I was aware, hold a grudge against her husband for ordering a load of manure the day of her party.

Which has brought me to a Biblical truth.

In life we can and will experience moments where someone has dumped a load of manure on us.

And…

I’ve found my faith often grows best when I’m wading through some stinky situations.

Times I’m working hard to follow Christ’s example are actually exactly what draws me closer to my Heavenly Father.

Times God uses, because He knows what will grow my faith, strengthen my walk, and cause blooms of praise to burst forth.

Not unlike how a plant grows and produces more after being fertilized.

Although manure isn’t pleasant, God can and will use it.

My responsibility is to be humble.

Not hold a grudge.

And continue to open my heart and life to those the Lord brings.

Romans 8:28 NKJV — And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word and the reminder that You work all things together for good to those who love You and are called according to Your purposes. Lord, thank You for reminding me of this moment in my childhood which I haven’t thought of in many years. Thank You for the blessings I can see in my garden when I apply manure and the encouragement I can have knowing that the stinky stuff of life is an opportunity to grow my faith and blossom in praise and thanksgiving. Lord, my life is Yours. I am Your servant and I trust You with whatever the future holds, for I know You are with me and that is enough. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.