God-given friendship

"Real friendship is about showing each other compassion when running late for lunch and encouragement after the it’s-been-one-of-those-days tears. Friendships are a unique form of love, binding individuals together through traditions, inside jokes, and advice. God gives us friends because he knows we aren’t meant to glorify him alone. He is meant to be shared, like Oreos and milk, cute necklaces, and what products work on curly hair in this summer humidity."  -Quote from a beautiful post about God-given friendship on (in)courage.

So thankful for my God-given friendship with this beautiful young woman!

Healing, Living as Children of Light

For those times when it feels like the world is trying to pour smear on your head... forgiveness is the only option that brings healing.

Those times when a friend says something about you behind your back (I've done it, middle school for example)... forgiveness is the only thing that brings healing.

When you feel like you've been burned by everyone and everything... forgiveness is what brings healing.

If you feel like you've messed up too many times for God to accept you... forgiveness is the first thing you need in your relationship to bring healing.

Forgiveness is the first step to healing.  Forgiving others, forgiving yourself.

Unforgiveness leads to bitterness.  I've been down that path in my life, and I don't want to go back.  It is a miserable state to be in, and very difficult to pull out of.  It took many years for God to draw me closer to himself than to bitterness.  But it always seems like I'm one step away from jumping into that darkness again.

Paul reminds the church in Ephesus what living as Children of Light should look like.  It is a good reminder for our lives today:

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."  ~Ephesians 4: 29- 5:2

Recently, as I was steaming about a certain situation, I realized that healing was what I really wanted.  I wanted healing for the relationship, and holding on to bitterness or anger will not bring that healing about.  Only forgiveness will.  And after I had made that declaration, I felt peace flood into my soul, I was no longer shaking from being so angry or upset.  God gave me peace and I knew that forgiveness was the only option that I wanted to pursue.  I choose freedom and joy and peace over anything that bitterness has to offer.

freedom. joy. peace.

More from Dutchess' Pool

We filled Dutchess' pool again the other day.  She's not afraid to go in by herself any more and she loves it!!

That is one happy, wet dog!

Happy Cow Appreciation Day

Surprise!!

Happy Cow Appreciation Day!!  Have you appreciated the cows you know today?  I have!

Big

Medium

And small... I love them all!

Harvest workers

"Then he {Jesus} said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few'."   Matthew 9: 37

It's funny how a familiar passage can strike you in a way you had never thought about before.  I've grown up on farm of some sort for my whole life.  A crop farm at my parents' home, and now a dairy farm with my husband and his family.

"Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”  Matthew 9: 38

Jesus talks about the harvest a few times throughout his ministry.  When harvest is ready it's important to get the crop in and done.  And in order to harvest, you need workers who are equipped for the harvest.  Without workers, the crops wouldn't be harvested and would probably spoil/waste away in the field.  And without the crops, the animals wouldn't be able to be fed and people would also go hungry (either if they are eating the crop or the animal).

Send out the workers Lord, so the world will not starve or waste away from the lack of You!!

More summer flowers

I love flowers!  Especially flowers that come back every year, don't take much work, and are not deterred by weeds (I don't have a green thumb at all).

The hydrangea bush is bursting with color!

Full-time job

Farming is a full-time job.  Any hour of the day, when the job calls, we have to answer.

This evening when we got home from Bible Study meal night, we were carrying our stuff into the house; out of the corner of my eye, I saw a white blur of movement.  I look over and this little rascal was frolicking on the driveway.

We were both in our nicer clothing and I had nice sandals on, but we had to make sure the calf didn't get hurt or lost so we had to get it back in the hutch as soon as we could.  We had to put up a barricade and then corral the calf back into the space between her hutch and the next hutch over.  Calves are surprisingly fast and much harder to direct than big cows, so thankfully we were able to catch her without too much time or trouble.  And my sandals didn't get too muddy.