Some of you might remember a stroll we took together down the road of my old neighborhood, over a year ago now. My, how much has changed since then. Much that I could never have imagined, nor been able to bring to pass on my own. Much that I never would have chosen myself, knowing all the waiting and wondering amidst uncertainties, stretching and challenge and weariness, that would ensue during the transitional period of getting there. But, God knew, and He knows, what is best. Not just for the here and now. No, He sees past, present, and future. He sees us, and every single one that our lives will affect. His thoughts and ways are higher than ours. He is able to work on the inside--where we, or no one else, can truly touch, and on the outside--amidst our circumstances, however difficult or painful or confusing, or even seemingly hopeless they may at times be.
Also, sometimes, in answer to our very prayers, He, in his lovingkindness, works at warp speed--again, as only He can, in our lives and situations. When He does this, about all we can do is hold on (to Him) for dear life. While He takes us down the road less traveled things can get pretty topsy-turvy and discombulated (from our perspective) for a time. Things might not make a whole lot of sense to us (if we try and figure it out with our human reasoning) during this season, and may make even less sense to everyone else--this is most likely a given. It can be pretty lonely, but it's during just such times--when God is actually doing some of the most beautiful things in our lives, yes, answering the deepest cries of our hearts and preparing us for days ahead--that we may feel like anything but good is happening, and highly doubt that anything good could ever come out of our present difficult (painful, confusing, possibly seemingly hopeless) situation.
May I just draw you close and whisper in your ear, a few simple thoughts that I believe (and pray to, by His grace always believe) with all my heart? Things that He has faithfully proven to be true throughout my 26 years of walking in best friendship with Him.
He is in control.
He loves you.
He only desires good for you.
He allows us to hurt that we might heal and grow and change. And, He hurts with us and for us while we're hurting (and healing and growing and changing). Far more than any other could ever hope to.
If He is allowing it, it is all for good.
Don't try to figure it out.
Don't try to wriggle your way out or numb yourself, to make it go away.
And trust, that if you never in a million years would have chosen to be in the place that you find yourself in, that you don't need to try and change it (or any of the other people involved) but are free to accept it, and rest in and walk in, the peace that passes all understanding, that will surely come--supernaturally--for you having done so, by His grace. His love is allowing it.
Talk to Him--in the simplest terms. Be honest. Be real. Ask Him to show you what He's trying to teach you (which goes so much deeper than your circumstances, and will be in time, though perhaps not until the one day of eternity, simply understood without even trying to understand, by His Spirit). Read your Bible--looking for Him amidst it's pages. It's not like any other book. Ask Him to be your life. Like the air you breathe. Like the food you eat and water you drink. Ask Him to be your everything. All of life changes when He becomes so.
Trust me, it's so worth Him revealing our great need for Him--though whatever circumstances He allows--for us to finally come to understand how very much we need Him (and needed Him all along) and that nothing or no one can take His place in our hearts and lives. He is near to the broken hearted. When you are hurting He is there--always, in all ways. He knows that we make mistakes, and doesn't require us to try and make things right before we give them over to Him. It's okay. We can simply stop at any point, let go, and rest in Him. He can make sense--even of our biggest muddles, where we tend to, I believe, in our fixing of things, merely get ourselves muddled all the more.
It's in the waiting and the resting and the trusting, amidst what He is allowing; this (in large part) inactivity on our part (because, if you notice, He kind of gets us situated so that we ourselves are for the most part powerless to affect change--I think this is where the blessing lies, but what is also what induces the fear and panic factor), that opens the way for His superior supernatural activity. What He's allowing (if we'll allow Him to allow it) is going to get us where we want to go.
Amy Carmichael, has a saying that has been such a comfort to me over the years. I believe it's in her little book, "IF", which is a treasure. She said, "In acceptance lieth peace". I find it particularly helpful to grab onto when I am in the throws of some particular situation that's turning me inside-out and upside-down, and threatening to throw me head-long into a state of disaquilabration. Like the placenta previa, and subsequent hospital stays and the grand-royal-treatment-c-section birth of my precious youngest treasure, after seven beautiful home births. Like Big Papa losing the job that he'd held his entire adult life (which is also when you and I went for that walk, just down the road, in my dear old neighborhood, remember?) and selling our home in a topsy-turvy, unstable housing market. Him gone all week, every week--for three months, during the entire process while we completely renovated that cozy old home that we were, then, praying that He'd sell.
These are but two recent examples, to say, that if/and as I focused on my situtations--things that I would have absolutely never chosen for myself--I would find myself drowning. Preoccupied and unable to love and care for those that needed me--in the present moment. Fearful. Worried about many things. And there were many things that could have been, and at times were, deemed worry worthy. The needs were very great and very real, to the point where I could feel obligated to focus on them and worry about them. Since I was in many ways unable to do anything about them, to affect change, which was something that in my discomfort and uncertainties I would have brought about immediatley if I could have.
My only choices were to worry,
or to rest and trust.
And believe,
that since
I never
would have chosen
my present
difficult,
stretching,
painful,
confusing,
circumstances,
that God
who was,
and is,
far bigger
and smarter
and more powerful than I,
whose hands
each and every thing, and one
that was,
and is,
allowed
to even touch my life
must fist pass through
before even getting near to me,
was
allowing it
and using it
not only for my good
but for the good of many.
And to remember, as Amy said........"In acceptance lieth peace".
We are not being irresponsible, by not worrying, or feeling bad about, or striving against, the things that we cannot change, no matter how hard and out of control they may seem to be. It is absolutely legal, and we are free, in Him, to tell our cares and concerns, needs, struggles, hopes, dreams and desires, to Him--pour them all out--and walk away from them, leaving them in His care, knowing we have not only done something, but we have done the greater thing. We have placed our life and times in His hands--in childlike faith--and walked away to do the next thing, however small or simple, or seemingly insignificant in the scheme of things, that may seem to be at the time.
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication (*being supple, bendable, pliable while waiting) with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4: 4, 6-8 King James Version (*inserted thought, mine)
Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!
Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
For the rest, brethren, whatever is *true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
Philippians 4: 4, 6-8 Amplified Bible *God's Word is true
God is there. He is always at work, most often in ways that we cannot see, nor could we entirely understand, even if we could. I do believe that He is getting us exactly where we want to go, but in His way, in His time. The very same way and time that we, too, would choose, IF we could see and know and understand, evey thing and every one, and had all the power, as only He does.
He loves you and He is always for you. You really, truly, needn't fear, today or tomorrow. You needn't try to please people, or live up to their expectations. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Give Him your cares and then ask Him to show you the next thing to do. If you find that your eyes are taken off of yourself and you are seeing the most basic needs of those around you and are drawn to meet them--even if it is with the little or nothing that you might have, physically, materially, it is Him. Let go of the cares (to Him) and leave them there, and let Him love--you, and those around you.
If you can, put in some worship music (or any music beautiful to you to create an embracing atmosphere of beauty and peace) and focus on Him--the hub of the wheel--and turn away leaving the cares, the heaviness, the concerns, with him, as you choose to let go and turn to do the next practical thing, as best you are able. He will be faithful to tend to those "spokes of the wheel", as you trust (knowing that he cares tenderly for you, just like you do for your own children--just think about that. It's amazing) that He'll be pleased--so pleased--with your sweet offering of yourself, to Him, just as you are, right where you are, with what you have to give, or have not to give. He is so easy to please. He takes our little or nothing and transforms it into something of immeasurable value and worth. Priceless jewels. We are always free to leave our cares with Him, accepting where we are, without shame or fear and go on to do the next thing.
Set a pot of simple soup to cook on the stove or in the crockpot. Let the children help you make it.
Make yourself a cup of tea, and read a story to your children. Give them some tea, too.
Hang out a load of laundry. String a simple line along somewhere and let your children hang some of the smaller things on that--right along beside you.
Make a list of all the things you have to be thankful for. Have your children help you. It will so bless your heart to see life through their sparkling eyes of wonder. You'll feel your burden/s lifted, just knowing that what matters most to them, is simply that you love them, and are so thankful that they're yours and not someone else's. God is so good.
Take your precious children--however young or old they are--alongside you, throughout the moments of each day, as your dearest, closest friends.
Talk to them.
Sing to them.
Read to them.
Explore the beauty and wonder of nature with them. Endless delights.
Praise them. Praise them. Praise them.
Thank them for even the smallest things they do for you, receiving their sweet, small kindnesses as the gifts that they are.
The relationships are what matters, most, most, most, of all.
Your house may be messy, your laundry piled up, you may not have been able to do this, that, or the other thing, but no one can do everything.
Do the first thing, and let the first thing be to just love and care for the people in your life.
If cares or extra commitments or certain relationships are hindering you from doing so, cast them (the cares) aside, or set them (extra commitments or certain relationships) aside, until things are running smoothly and you feel able to reach out a bit further.
You may not have much money, or many things, but you have the greatest of treasure, in your family. Love and serve them, from your heart, with whatever you do have, living to please no one, but the Lord. And He will be most pleased, and mulitply what you do have, in His way, in His time. You just trust, and rest, and love. Let go of anything that threatens to steal away that love in the moment. Give it to Him, and leave it with Him. That's His concern, not yours. He is far more than able to take care of people and situations, and He will, if you will give it over, wait, and let Him. Trusting that He really is one who can be trusted.
If you have to face a difficulty today (and you may and will at times) breathe deeply, send your simplest prayer of childlike trust-- with all it's fears and/or concerns of inadequacies and possibilities--up to the Lord, and then go in, or out, to face --knowing that He is not surprised by or afraid of, anything.
Perfect love casts out fear.
He wants to love--even the big scary people, in the big scary situations--and when we allow ourselves to get fearful about today or tomorrow, or this person or that person or situation and begin thinking about it, dwelling on it, trying to figure it out, worrying about it (and we really don't need to. It's entirely legal not to......remember that :o) we clog up the channels of His love and what He's got in motion, on our behalf--today. Right now. We fail to walk in the wonder of this very moment, this very day, that he is calling us to. The little things. The simple things. The things that add up to the big things that our heart is truly desirous of and longing for.
And, as always, by all means, when they well up and begin to spill over, do let the tears flow......out to Him. Tell Him everything. He loves you. To Him you are a precious child. Thank Him for your difficulties and what He is doing in and through them, that is too big for you to fully comprehend. And, let Him walk you through, carry you through, them. He wants to, and He will. Let Him love and care for you, right now, just where you are. Just as you are.
He's using the circumstances of today to set the stage for, and prepare you (and those you love) for, tomorrow... and the day after that... and the day after that.... God not only sees the past and knows and understands us from conception to present, but He sees the future--our future, which is why His love is allowing what it is allowing, today. Though it will not always seem so to our human understanding, He is always love, always kind, always deeply caring, and always at work on our behalf, and behalf of our precious families, causing all things to work together, for good. In the difficulties, the losses, the sorrows, the pain, there is growth, change, beauty--preparation, for what is to come--for us, for generations.
"In acceptance lieth peace".
May He give us the grace, to accept what He allows and softly allow Him to walk us, and/or carry us, through. May He tenderly lead us through any and all seasons of the inevitable weeping/s that endureth for the night, to the joy that (will surely) cometh in the morning.
So, all this said, what do you say we take one of our old time rambles, together, saying farewell to one of the loveliest of summers I've ever known--as she willingly gives way to change, once again. The colors come--preparation for the falling of the leaves of autumn, who will likewise accept her coming end, as "she closes her eyes in surrender", to the "sweet sleep, and long, quiet rest", of winter.
'To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.'
This time, let's head down and around and back on this old country road, where God has seen fit to tuck us in, for this present season of our life's journey. It's a mile and a half long. A dead end. There are six houses on the road, and we are the second to the last. Our house was actually the first farmhouse on the road. It was built 175 years ago, and all the land that you'll see along our hike to the end of the road and back, at one time belonged to the family that first lived in this delightful old farmhouse. Then, the only home on the road. It's got quite an interesting history. If only the walls could talk, yes?
All right, get your littlest one/s tied on. 
And, your little bit bigger one/s snugged in.
The links above the two photos of Claire carrying Maggie, will take you to a couple of wonderful newborn wrap carriers. And, the one just above, will take you to the best of the best of workhorse carriers, the Ergo (which Wesley is carrying Josie in, and Julia--Celeisa, and Big Papa--Sophia in, in the photos below). You can actually do your to all that needs doing at home (inside and out), go for nice long hikes, and lug your babies and toddlers just about anywhere, in this, without your back and neck hurting, when you're done. They're great. Our family's favorite of all (the many) that we've used over the years.
Julia--16, and Celeisa--2. Best of buds.
One of my favorite shots--ever :o)
Pop a few in your wagon or jogger, and/or let some happily skip along beside us or ride their bikes, and let's go :o)
We'll head out from my house and make our way down to the end--the main road--and back, okay? A nice quiet stroll, we'll most likely not meet with a single car the entire way.
The first photo , above, was taken at the top of the hill that you make your way up to soon as you get going--straightaway. You'll see it from the other direction and down towards my house, on the way back. Our very dear, kind and caring neighbor, Pete---who's 92, lives in that old farmhouse down on the right. I love him, and so enjoy spending time with him. Doesn't his place look a little bit like the grandfather's house, in Johanna Spyri's, "Heidi"? This is such a lovely view. I always pause to take a deep breath--drinking in the beauty--every single time I come up over this hill.
These, are another one of our neighbor's, horses, out to pasture.
Shyly friendly.
Inquisitive.
Oh. Wait. We've only just made our way down and around the corner from Pete's and here comes a vehicle. Well now, it's only the relatives. James--20 (with his yet to be trimmed --after getting a bit torched when he got burned--beard. His nose got scorched, too. ;o), and Joseph--18, stopping to sing us a song (in it's entirety). Love it.
Love them. Could not imagine my life without them. Scruffy looking buggers that they are ;o)
Waving the boys off, as we continue on our way, and they head out around the bend.
Nearing the end and the main--country--road.
A farm, off in the distance, across the main road--which is a good ways beyond the water, there. The farm is right on the main road. So, let's keep going.....C'mon :o)
Now we're at the main road and looking down---in the direction of Wesley and Claire and the girl's home. They're about five minutes away. There's that farm that you saw in the last photo.
Now, turned around and headed back towards the homestead.....Are you ready to mosie back on up that bit of a hill? Ahhh, the wind at our backs and that warm sunshine on our faces. Sure feels good doesn't it?
This is the hill to the left, in the above photo. It's way bigger than it looks and in the winter it can be covered with over 50 deer at a time. Actually, probably more like 100. Honestly. It's really an amazing sight.
Up and over this little knoll
And around and down past Pete's. Pete still cuts his own grass--huge, beautiful yard--on a ride-on lawn tractor. Isn't it artistic, the way that he mows in this soft sweep around the pine tree? Another one--of those many--things that are far more lovely in real life.
Pete's behind us, now. Up and back, past our neighbors on the left and our other neighbors--with the horses--on the right. Our home is just over and down that hill, and off to the right. Remember that hill? The one we first made our way to the top of? Let me just (honesty--pause here to catch my breath) say, that the hill, from this direction is a good deal grander in real life, than it looks here, especially, when you're making your way up it, on foot. Everything is considerably minimized in the photos. But, don't get too winded, cause we're not home, yet. :o) 
I know things have been pretty quiet so far. Just wait 'til we pop over to the other side. As always, things are hoppin' in our little corner of the world :o)
And, the welcome back home, begins.....
Oh, how I'll one day miss seeing shoes and boots on the wrong feet.
Giddy-up.
Too cute. Doesn't Sophia look like a flying squirrel?
Home.
And family.
And lots to do. You can stay and help, too. :o)
A big turkey's in the oven slowly baking 'til supper time. Oh how we'll all enjoy that with lots of great stuff--fresh from the garden (ours and Eli's). Potatoes--mashed, with gravy. Sweet corn. Beets. And, nice full glasses of freshly brewed Kombucha to top it all off.
Thanks so much for taking the time to come by. I hope you enjoyed our stroll as much as I did. And, thanks a million for helping to take the laundry from the line and folding it, doing the dishes, gathering in the goods from the garden and milking the goats. We'll take care of the supper dishes. You just relax and finish your Kombucha before you go ;o)
But, do come again ;o) and I'll look forward to seeing you, then.
To each precious one that wrote and shared your heart, thank-you. I'm so glad you did. What a privilege it is to be able to carry our burdens, together, in His love. I am praying--with you and for you, and sending you much love, in Him.
Jewels
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