Who Owns These Cows?

I grinned (a really, really wide grin) today when I looked out and saw the cattle on the right side of the fence. (You can click on the photo to see that those 'spots' really are cows!

Because fencing is about the least favourite chore around here, the Cowboy just put up a solar powered electric system to keep the cows back from the “barely hanging on” contraption we call a fence. 

But glory be, we now have a new Cow Boss (aka our son) and while he doesn’t totally love fencing, he likes it more than chasing ornery cows. 

The huge bonus for me is the ever-growing pile of old cedar fence posts that the Cow Boss brings back to my woodpile. 

 

It was Wilf Carter who put these posts in – a long, long time ago.  They don’t owe us anything.   

I'm going to enjoy this cedar next winter.  It's the best kindling for my woodstove.

AND,  I’ll have plenty for a craft project I have planned, too. 

Yippee!

 

Now, back to the cows:  Looking out on this herd happily munching on the wonderful new green growth,

 

 

I remembered a line from a chorus we sang when we were kids:  
 

“He owns the cattle on a thousand hills…” 

I just had to look it up – it’s Psalm 50:10. 

 

"For every beast of the forest is mine,

and the cattle upon a thousand hills."

 

Once again, I am reminded that everything belongs to God.

I often say that we don’t really ‘own’ the land; we just borrow it for the time we're here and then leave it for someone else to work.  Everything we say we ‘own’ really belongs to God.  He gives and He takes away.  

Some 35 years ago, my friend, Val, helped change my perspective on ‘stuff’.   “It’s all gonna burn anyway,” she told me.   

 Yikes – that might sound harsh, but if you are a believer, prophesy indicates that this world and everything in it will someday burn up.   

I don’t want to be too attached to things that are destined for the burn pit.  How about you?

In the meanwhile, I've decided not to share this blog entry with the Cow Boss.  Pretty sure he'd have some crack about, 'whoever owns the cows is responsible for the fencing!'

Different...

I giggled – really it was more of a howl -- when I read the fabric care instructions on the cowboy’s new T-shirt: “Wash in warm with like colours”

I mean really – where in the world would I find ‘like colours’?

Do you have anything in this fluorescent green? What do they even call this colour? It’s like nothing I have ever seen before – not even in the 80’s when we all dressed in those crazy peacock shades.

Where in the world did he get this shirt anyway?

Pretty sure I didn’t buy it – I’d remember that shock, for sure…

Hmmm…what to do?

Being just a tad frugal, I could not run the washing machine for only one t-shirt. So I stuffed it in with a load of jeans and other dark pieces, singing all the while…

One of these things is not like the others,

One of these things just doesn't belong...

…and fervently hoping that crazy shirt wouldn’t wreck the rest of the load.

Much later, with that image still burned in my brain, and that song still rattling around in there, too, I thought about differences…

Deuteronomy 14:2 says,

 For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God,

and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself  

I don’t really like the idea of being peculiar. I’m long past ‘peer pressure’ but nobody likes to be considered weird, and sometimes just identifying myself as a Christian, has put me in that category.

But when I checked the translation, I learned that “peculiar (cgullah pronounced seg-ool-law) means wealth, jewel, peculiar (treasure), proper good, special.” (Lexicon)

Ah, so it doesn’t mean Christians are weird. We’re just loved by God. We’re His treasures, jewels.

Woo hoo!

I know a few Christians who use that phrase ‘peculiar people’ to justify obnoxious behaviour. Oh, boy, are they ever going to be disappointed.

And to get that crazy ‘Sesame Street’ song out of my head, I started singing the chorus:

 For we are a chosen generation

 A royal priest hood

 A holy nation

 A peculiar people…

A peculiar people indeed.
Not to ‘be like the others’ but instead to: 

 

Show forth the praises of Him

Who has called us out of darkness

Out of darkness

Into his marvelous light

Into his marvelous light.

 What a marvelous truth.

Now back to the shirt in the laundry...

My eye socket pain has all but vanished, and the ‘peculiar’ shirt is back in the cowboy’s dresser drawer, waiting to be treasured another day.  If you see a certain ‘glow’ in the sky near ‘the end of the road’, you’ll know the treasure is out once again.

WHEN IT'S ALL BEEN SAID AND DONE

The desire for personal ‘fame’ is greater now than ever. In fact, it seems that no one wants to slip through ‘unnoticed’.

Do we link ‘fame’ with acceptance? Maybe it’s because we think that only the ‘noteworthy’ count.

Whatever the reason, in a world where most people desire ‘fame’ more than anything else, I was delighted to read about Gordon Phillips in my most recent university alumni magazine.

You know the kind of reading…articles of alumni doing interesting things…and then a column sandwiched somewhere between the covers with short snapshots submitted by each graduate. I read through looking for someone I might know, and didn’t find any. (not sure what this says about my class...but...)  For the most part, these entries involve three areas: career, publication, and awards.

Here is a sampling:

1. assignment as political counselor to the Canadian High Commission
2. appointed Judge of the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta
3. presented his school’s work at the International Conference on Learning in Barcelona, Spain, last year and has co-authored five textbooks
4. chairman of the Calgary Police Commission
5. contributed a short story to the anthology evolve: Vampire Stories of the New Undead. It’s the first anthology of its kind and her story can be found on page 101

But, back to Gordon Phillips, who painted a very different picture:

Gordon Phillips, BSc’69, has received no awards, honorary or otherwise. He has been granted no titles and belongs to no major organizations. He has never been elected or appointed to any position. You will probably not have read anything that he has written. He lives in Vancouver with his patient wife Diane and some of their five children, practices law and is as happy as a clam.

A huge grin  broke out on my face; Gordon Phillilps, you made my day.  Thank you for this breath of fresh air. Thank you for validating the lives of countless others who, too, are happy as clams, despite their lack of awards, publications, and the noteworthy career movement.

But then, I thought about what really does matter.  It isn't awards, publications, or careers.  But it isn't just being 'happy as a clam' either.  So I turned to God's word: 

“The Lord says: Let not the wise man bask in his wisdom,

nor the mighty man in his might, nor the rich man in his riches.

Let them boast in this alone:

That they truly know me,

and understand that I am the Lord of justice and of righteousness

whose love is steadfast;

and that I love to be this way.”

Jeremiah 10: 23,24

Indeed, when all is said and done, only one thing matters.
Click on the play button on "Joey's Tunes" at the top of the page, to listen to Robin Mark as he shares…

When it's all been said and done,
there is just one thing that matters:
Did I do my best to live for truth?
Did I live my life for You?

When it's all been said and done,
all my treasures will mean nothing.
Only what I've done for love's reward
will stand the test of time.

Lord, Your mercy is so great
that You look beyond our weakness,
and find purest gold in miry clay,
making sinners into saints

I will always sing Your praise
here on earth and ever after.
For You've shown me Heaven's my true home,
When it's all been said and done.

You're my life when life is gone.

When it's all been said and done,
there is just one thing that matters:
Did I do my best to live for truth?
Did I live my life for You?

Lord I'll live my life for You.

Welcome Spring!

Spring is my favourite time ... especially after a long winter.

The sun’s warmth coaxes new life from the barren land…and everything looks cheerful once again.

Here at the end of the road, the crocuses have gone to seed...

but the buffalo beans are out…

The spring storms are out and about…

greening up the pasture quite nicely…

The creek gurgles more than its usual trickle…I can hear it from the verandah if I listen closely.

A new little filly arrived last week…

These parents have their hands full…

The Saskatoons are blooming…

And even the tulips opened their sunny faces…

Welcome, Spring, I’m so glad you’re here. With your presence, I am reminded that all things become new…

II Corinthians 5: 17 says, “…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

Thank you for the wonder of your creation, Father...

The miracle of new life, both in the world, and inside me.

One Minute Sermon

In a world filled with distractions, sometimes it's hard to hear the still, small voice of God.

In this short video, Tamara Lowe reminds us about the only thing that really matters.

A Time to Grieve and a Time to Dance

GG came to visit not long ago, sporting a lovely necklace – the first ‘girly look’ I’d ever seen on her. Immediately, I thought about my locket from long ago.

The one with pictures of my two boys. One lives in a city 45 minutes away; the other lives in Heaven.

I showed her how the locket opens...

and explained that the picture was her daddy when he was a baby. I didn’t mention that the other one was her uncle…the one who lives in Heaven. She’s too young to understand, but she will…one day…

Many years ago we suffered the worst loss – our 18 month old son. Our first-born.

It was a very black time in our lives, but I held fast to my faith…and slowly – very slowly, the shadows lifted, and life resumed.

Each year, though, on little Jay’s birthday, my heart broke once again, and I started over. When the calendar showed the approaching date, I remembered, and dreaded the inevitable: a sorrow-filled day. We’d make it through that day. Life resumed. And then, again the next year, it would happen again. I wondered if I would ever face that day without such heaviness of heart.

One year, several years after our loss, we received an invitation to my cousin’s wedding. My heart dropped when I read the date. May 2nd. Of 365 days on the calendar, they had choosen our little Jay’s birthday. I just knew it would be a very hard day for us, but we decided to attend, anyway.

The second of May dawned brightly, and I was so busy getting ready to go, I didn’t look at the calendar. We dressed in our finery, drove to the country church, listened to solemn vows, and prayed for the bride and groom as they began their lives together. From there we travelled to a little community hall, enjoyed a wonderful dinner, joyously danced in celebration of fresh new love and new beginnings. We visited with family members we don’t see often enough, and others who are now gone…

Exhausted with that ‘good kind of tired’, we arrived home. It wasn’t until I was getting ready for bed, that I glanced at the calendar and remembered the date.

I’d made it through.

It hadn’t been the day I’d dreaded. In fact, it had been wonderful. It was at that precise moment, I knew I was healing. There truly is

a time to grieve

and a time to dance. 

(Ecclesiastes 3:4b)

Of course, that wasn’t the end of my grieving. But it was a turning point. It was the re-birth of a long-forgotten joy; a much-needed emotion.

If you are in the depths of sorrow;

an inky black hole you can't seem to escape,

hold fast to the One who

gives power to the tired and worn out, and strength to the weak. 

(Isaiah 40:29)  

The carpenter from Nazareth,

the King of Kings

 and Lord of Lords. 

He knows your suffering; he knows your pain. 

Give your burdens to the Lord.  He will carry them.

(Psalms 55:22)

Happy Anniversary, Bobby and Carol. May God bless you all of your days.

Yesterday I learned that my friend had a new grandbaby, born on May 2nd. Welcome to the world, wee Jaime Paul. May God bless you, as well.

He Has Risen

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body.

Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other,

"Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.

 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side,

and they were alarmed.

"Don't be alarmed," he said.

"You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.

He has risen!

He is not here."

Mark 16: 1-6

Worthy is the Lamb

Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and praise!

To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be praise and honor and glory and power,

for ever and ever!

Revelation 5: 12, 13b

Go for the Gold

Photo credit:  Lifeway Christian Stores

Over the last several days, I've watched with amazement, the outstanding stamina and determination of the Olympic athletes. I've also noticed a common thread in their interviews: they credited their parents for guiding them along their paths...which ultimately led to their Olympic success.

I've also been thinking about our last Bible study. A highly eclectic group of women get together once a week to study the book of Esther, using material from Beth Moore. Last week, one young mom spoke candidly about finding God's destiny for her life.

I could totally relate to what she said -- it would be so much easier if God gave us 'big' jobs and told us very clearly what to do, like 'go save the Jewish race'. I would understand this, and take on the mission with fervor. However, when my goal this day is to catch up on the laundry and figure out what to make for supper, it just doesn't seem that God is using me for any purpose at all.  And I really want serve Him!

Can you relate?

But what if God really is using you right now, where you are?

What if, by your day-to-day actions (like laundry and supper-making), you are touching lives and building into those lives, a faith that will take them ‘all the way’?

What if, in your desire to complete 'loftier' work, you missed this crucial calling?

Would it keep your children and others you touch, from 'running with perseverance the race marked out for (them)' that we read about in Hebrews 12:1?

If you wonder if you’ve missed God’s plan for your life, think about those Olympic athletes who credit their parents' guidance and support.  Know that your role in your home and neighbourhood is crucial to others. You may not see the evidence from day to day when you are drowning in laundry and dirty dishes, but it may impact not only those you know today, but the lives of those in generations to come. Keep on encouraging everyone in your life in their relationship with God. You are laying a foundation that will stand forever --one worth far more than bronze or silver or gold.

And, who knows, if God hasn't put you in this very place 'for such a time as this?'

Work With a Smile :-)

One of my jobs here at 'the end of the road', is taking our trash to the county dump.

We don’t have garbage pick up, so it falls to us to haul our own.

While we do compost, and re-cycle where we can,

we still manage to gather some garbage,

and out it must go.

Today was ‘dump day’.

I arrived early --

about 20 minutes early.

But I didn’t have to wait,

because the manager arrived right behind me.

He unlocked the gates,

and opened the trash receptacles.

With still about 15 minutes to go,

he was ready for customers.

I thought about that on my way home.

In a world where most workers arrive ‘on the dot’,
this fellow was early.

And I wouldn’t be surprised if he stayed late, too.

In a world where most workers are quick to say,
“That’s not in my job description,”

this fellow has helped me unload stinking, messy trash.

I have no idea if this chap is a follower of Christ or not.

But I know that in this way,

he is following the teachings found in Ephesians 6: 9,10.

“Don’t just do what you have to do to get by,

but work heartily, as Christ’s servants,

doing what God wants you to do.

And work with a smile on your face,

always keeping in mind that

no matter who happens to be giving the orders,

you’re really serving God.”

(The Message)

It’s very easy for me to grumble about menial and messy tasks.
Remembering that I’m ultimately serving God, in all my work,

brings on a smile.

And that makes a world of difference.

Through a Glass, Darkly

The weather here at ‘the end of the road’ has been anything but typical in the last few weeks. Until our recent Chinook, we had lots of white stuff; I was beginning to call this, ‘the winter of the big snow.’
We had even started to plan our annual ‘snow party’ for the neighbour kids. However, I now look out on bare fields and hills and know that unless a big snowstorm heads our way, we won’t be celebrating with toboggans and snowmobiles any time soon.

One of the most unusual things about the weather has been the fog. For several mornings, I’ve looked out into a thick blanket of mist. This morning I couldn’t even see into the coulee.

I know the coulee is behind those clouds, (check the picture at the top of this blog) but on a morning like this, I have to trust that it is because I don’t see it.

This lack of vision reminded me of Paul’s writing to the church of Corinth (1 Co 13:18)

 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:

now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Sometimes, (dare I say many, many times?) I have to remind myself that in this life, I won’t see things very clearly. Some things just don’t make sense. That’s because I can’t see them from God’s perspective. But one day, when I am complete, I will see Him face-to-face, and all the answers I lack now, will be made clear.

Until then, I’ll look into the fogginess, trusting that my Heavenly Father sees it all with true clarity, as He unfolds His plan for my life.

Wood Day

Sometimes I wonder why we ever put a woodstove in this house.  To be fair, it isn’t often; and certainly not when I’m sitting in front of the fire toasty warm enjoying my tea.  But I have to admit, when ‘wood day’ comes when the high is -25 C., I do wonder at the benefit of heating with wood.

Our wood supply lasts for a week.  And I try to pick good weather days to replenish the supply.  In fact, I did that just this week.  I chose the best day, as well as the best time of day.  It got up to a balmy -12 degrees.

But I hadn’t realized that last week’s blizzard had rearranged the snow.

I had to shovel my way in first, just to load the Ranger.

The good thing about snow shoveling, is that it helps me keep warm.  And loading those heavy birch logs helps, too.  Another good thing about snow shoveling and loading firewood, is that it’s a mindless task and I can think about other things (like Mexico, for instance!)  Actually, I thought about what I could share in this blog. 

In the book of Ruth, we read about an exemplary young widow who moved with her mother-in-law (also a widow), away from her own family into a foreign land.  Chapter 2 verse 7 tells us that Ruth ‘went into the field and worked steadily’. 

She, too, had a menial task, but she did it anyway.  If you go on to read about Ruth, you’ll learn that she had all kinds of great qualities besides being hardworking, she was loving, kind, faithful, and brave.  Oh, that I could be more like Ruth.

In less than an hour, I was loaded and on my way back.

And for a whole week, I’ll be able to sit in the warmth of the fire’s glow and forget about the chore on ‘wood day’.

But there will be other menial tasks; and I need to remember that it’s easier to tackle them with a thankful heart than a grumbling one.

Besides, maybe the next time the snow is re-arranged, it will be done by a Chinook.  I can hope!

Whoa...what a ride...

I can hardly believe December is here already. November just flew by.

Part of the blur was the cowboy's heart. It didn't want to work the way it should, and he landed in the hospital for 9 days.

There's nothing quite like an unexpected health scare, to cement some learning in my brain. Through this time, I learned:

1. To be thankful. I have some wonderful people in my world who helped in many ways (like feeding horses and cows, praying for us, and keeping in touch).

2. To trust. (in doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers, and mostly in my Heavenly Father.)

3. To cry. (when I forgot to trust)

4. To pray. (when I needed help to trust)

4. To laugh. (whenever I could) "A cheerful heart is good medicine" Proverbs 17:22

After the cowboy was home for a few days recuperating, he had an appointment with a dietitian. I tagged along to learn more about the food he should eat and what he should avoid. Like many Alberta ranchers, the cowboy loves his beef. I was relieved to hear the dietitian say that he could have steak, but the cut should be the size of the palm of her hand.

After we came home, we discussed the good news.

"She said," he exclaimed as he extended his hand, "I could have a piece this size. But she didn't say how thick." He laughed as he placed his other hand six inches above his outstretched palm.

"That would be called a roast," I giggled, "and you'd have to share that!"

I'm thankful the cowboy is feeling better.

And I'm so thankful for my loving Heavenly Father who meets all our needs.

Old Nature -- New Nature

“It’s not me who wants to wake up this early,” he claimed, “It’s my body.”

Ah, we’ve just had our ‘fall back’ time change in Alberta, and here at the end of the road, we’re still getting used to it. The cowboy, who always wakes up before the chickens, is now waking before some people go to bed! When I groggily tell him that it’s still the middle of the night, he apologizes, but insists that it’s not what he wants to do, but rather what his body does automatically.

This morning, I chuckled as a thought about this blog post. The cowboy would chuckle, too, if he knew that I was linking his words with portions from Colossians 3 (although he’d prefer I looked further down the page to that part about ‘Wives, submit to your husbands’... I don’t think I’ll tackle that one for awhile !)

But when that wide-awake cowboy confirmed his desire to sleep longer if it weren’t for the fact that his body wanted to wake up, I thought about Colossians 3, and what Paul had to say to his reader about

The earthly nature (verse 5)
The life you once lived (verse 7)
The old self and its practices (verse 9)
and
The new self being renewed (verse 10)

This morning, I am reminded about my desire to do good, but my human nature to do wrong. Sometimes I feel quite alone in this struggle. Others seem to be way beyond it and living victorious (not to mention what appears to be ‘perfect’) lives. Then I read Paul’s letter to the Romans, (chapter 7: 15-25):

“So I find this law at work:
When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.
For in my inner being I delight in God’s law;
but I see another law at work in the members of my body,
waging war against the law of my mind
and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.
What a wretched man I am!
Who will rescue me from this body of death?
Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

I can totally relate. On my own I am helpless to do what my mind wants to do. My old nature takes over and heads its own way. Only when I yield to Christ, and only through His power, can my new self act.

Thank you, Lord, for understanding the war that wages within me. Thank you for loving me so much that you provide the power to win that war.

Note to reader: I’d love to hear from you on this or any other topic. Grab a coffee and drop me a line in the comment box. If you’d prefer that I not post it, just mention that.

From Mexico to Montana...

Last month, the cowboy and I made a quick trip down to Montana.

We did a little sightseeing, visited some relatives, and had a great time.

While we were in Helena, we toured the Cathedral of St. Helena,

a gothic-styled church complete with stunning stained glass windows.

While we strolled inside,

I remembered our last vacation in Mexico

and the small Presbyterian Church we saw there.

Two very different structures -- but their message is the same:

The risen Christ!

In Paul’s second letter to Timothy (Chapter 4:2), he directed Timothy to,

“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season;

correct, rebuke and encourage –

with great patience and careful instruction.”

These words ring true for the church today, as well.

I pray that in Mexico, Montana, and all other parts of the world,

God’s Word is shared with clarity and love.

Before I close, I have to tell you about another church we visited.
A Wesleyan church in a small town nestled in the rolling hills of southern Montana.

The cowboy’s cousin, who is the new pastor there, gave us a tour.

After the tour of the building,

we took a tour of the town in his restored Model T Ford.

What fun!

God bless you all today and every day!

And may God bless Lee and Linda in their new town,

as they share the same good news that Timothy shared

two thousand years ago.

New Tune...

I 'discovered' Jane DesRosier, of Gritty Arts Studio, several years ago. Although we haven't met in person, I have spoken with her on the phone. And from that brief interaction, and what I read and see on her blog, I know she's a gem.

Three of her paintings found a home in my living room. I grin when I look at them. Her art makes me happy.

Although I knew we shared a love of bluegrass music, I didn't realize what a talented musician she is.

Cowboys and Jesus...what a concept...Here at the end of the road, that makes me grin, too.



The words, "Will Jesus wear a cowboy hat when He comes to take us home?" make me chuckle. But if we're gonna be doing a two-step when we get there, I'd better take some lessons here first!

Matthew 24:51 reads, "They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other."

Won't it be something!

We Make the Path by Walking

A Spanish poet, Antonio Machado, is credited with these words: "Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar." which translates to “Traveler, there is no path; we make the path by walking.”

These words (the English ones!) ring in my brain each time I see a path. It wasn’t there until someone started to walk and others followed. With each subsequent use, the path became more pronounced.

Our pasture has many, many cow paths. Each year, the cows make a new one – right beside the one from the previous year. By midsummer, the path is well-worn. There is no doubt that it is this year’s path.

Many verses in the Bible that talk about paths, but today, this one stands out for me -- Proverbs 4:26 “Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.”

Sometimes it’s not until I have walked for quite some time on a particular path, that I realize I shouldn’t be there. Who needs the grief that comes from trying to navigate a difficult or even treacherous path?

This summer, I’ve been working on a very difficult job. It will take several months to complete, and I can get quite cranky about it if I let myself ‘walk that path’. Daily (sometimes many times a day) I have to remind myself that because I make a path by walking, I am in control of where that path will be. I have to refuse to ‘walk’ in that territory that leads me to “Crankyville”.

The Bible also has good advice for this in Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

Thank you, Father, for these reminders. Help me to choose my steps and thoughts according to your Word.

Clearing Out

Since moving out here to the end of the road, I’ve found that I don’t get to town very often. It’s not that it’s a great distance, but it seems a bit of a nuisance when I’m busy. Very often, meals are based on what I have on hand rather than what I’d like to serve. After a couple of weeks without groceries, the combinations can be very odd.

Often, I’ll be in the middle of a recipe only to discover that I’m missing several ingredients. Now, good cooks would know how to substitute, but I’ve never claimed to be accomplished in that department. I remember once substituting pancake flour for regular flour in a bread recipe. I won’t try that again!

Last night at 10:30, I was putting together a sauce for a slow-cooker rib dish. Two cups of barbeque sauce shouldn’t be too hard to come by – especially in this house. My husband loves to barbeque and tries new sauces all the time. I opened the fridge and started pulling out bottles of sauce. They were everywhere – in the back and the front, on the top shelf and on the bottom, and even some on the door. I giggled when I saw the 6 bottles lined up on the counter. No two the same!

Some were 1/4 full, but most had just a couple of spoonfuls. No way was I going to be able to get two cups of a single variety.

I had two choices: I could make a trip to town (1/2 hour each way) to the 24-hour grocery store to buy even more barbeque sauce to add to our growing collection or I could 'make do'. I chose the latter.

“I’ll just use ‘em all and hope there will be enough, ” I thought. (My mom would be so proud!) I have no idea how much of each one I used – I just kept pouring until the last bottle was empty and I had the required 2 cups!

I tried it just now and I'm happy to report that it is delicious --even though (perhaps because?) it is made up of 6 different varieties of barbeque sauce! The down side is that I’ll never be able to replicate it. I have no idea how much of each one I used.

But the real bonus is that I have room in my fridge again!

This morning I was thinking about that extra room in my fridge and hoping I can keep it.

How often my life is that way. I fill it up with bits of this and that, lots of busyness and things that don’t really matter. I can feel packed and cluttered and gasping for air before long. How about you? Are you managing balance in your life? Do you have room to hear the Master’s voice?

In Luke 10: 38-42 we read, “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.”


Thank you, Lord, for this reminder to clear out the distractions of my life so that I, too, can choose what is better.

Life's Storms

When we decided to build our home, and set about choosing a site, we carefully considered many things: the cost of bringing water, gas, telephone, electricity here; and the fact that we’d have to build our own road. However, we loved the privacy and the view, so we began…

You’d have thought that we might have noticed the wind.

Apparently not.

Although we spent many days out here at the end of the road imagining, planning, preparing, not once do I remember discussing (or even noticing) the wind.

But it hasn’t stopped blowing since we moved in…

The delphinium will have to put down deeper roots…

And I may need to grow larger feet…

The other day I looked out and saw this niger seed sock waving around in reckless abandon…(the picture doesn’t really show how strong the wind was. At times, it was horizontal!) …but the finches seemed oblivious to the hurricane in their midst.

I marvel at their trust.

Pretty sure I would have taken cover in that blast, but they just kept about their business as if all was well.

And, all was well in the greater scheme of things.

This morning I read Luke 8 about Jesus calming the storm. Verse 24 says, “The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.

Very often, I want Jesus to calm storms in my life. Make it all better – or make it go away…and sometimes He does…but sometimes, instead of the storm (situation) changing, He calms my internal storms…gives me a peace inside and the belief that in His presence I can weather the storm on the outside.

The study notes for Luke 8:25 in my Bible say this: “When caught in the storms of life, it is easy to think that God has lost control and that we’re at the mercy of the winds of fate. In reality, God is sovereign. He controls the history of the world as well as our personal destinies. Just as Jesus calmed the waves, he can calm whatever storms you may face.” (Life Application Study Bible NIV, Zondervan)
When we trust in this same Jesus, we can ride out life’s storms, just as calmly as those finches.

Thank you, Lord, for peace in the midst of storm.

Fresh Start

Our Golden Elm finally sent out new leaves.

It’s always behind the others; and every year I wonder if perhaps the winter was too hard for it.

But there they were:

beautiful new leaves in that gorgeous new spring green colour.

Spring had certainly arrived.

Then…a killing frost...

the tender new leaves turned black and died.

I wondered if it would leaf out again...

Nothing happened for weeks,

until...a long-awaited rain...

followed by the warmth of the sun...

New leaves formed just behind the ones killed by the frost...

and the new leaves are more abundant than the original!

The elm tree got a second chance.

As I considered this 'miracle' today,

I thought about the ‘second chances’ in my life.

Aren’t you glad we all get second chances?

Ours is a God of second, (and many more) chances.

He doesn’t stop loving me when I mess up.

I can go to him in my brokenness, and get another start.

How marvelous to know this truth.

The Bible is filled with stories of many who received

‘fresh starts’.

Moses, Paul, the woman at the well,

are just a few who come to my mind.

I love the way the Message puts it in I John 1:9

If we admit our sins – make a clean breast of them –

he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself.

He’ll forgive our sins and purge us from all wrong doing.

Wow, that’s what I call a ‘fresh start’.