Sometimes the only way around a problem is right straight through it. Much as I would like to be relieved from some pressing issues or hoping they will simply vanish into thin air, pressing through them is often the only way out.
I have often sadly wondered how folk go through the many trials in life without Jesus. My life would have fallen apart years ago had Jesus not held my hand and walked through with me. Precious Jesus, hold my hand I have called out to Him over and over again. He has never let me down.
I thank God for our great-Aunt Margie who spoke and lived her life dependent on Jesus as my example. The Scripture she quoted to me so long ago have borne me through many a heartache:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, Lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path. Psalm 3:5-6
He will go every step with you. Upholding you, comforting you and strengthening you. Do you know Him? Have you called to Him? All you have to do is ask. He is waiting to hear from you today.
“You call yourself a horsewoman, but in your heart you’re a cow woman.”
So said Mr.White, one day while working on new iron railings around our house recently. I laughed but I have had fun thinking about his observation.
I recall my Aunty Bliss telling me years ago as a little girl I would sit under the fences in our cow fields with my hands and face resting on the bottom fence board watching the cows in the field. I do not remember this.
I do remember getting up on cold winter mornings, peering out the window into the dark looking for the light in the barn. The little glow of light told us our farm hand was loading silage for feeding time. Jumping out of bed and warmly wrapped, we walked in the dark toward the little light. We never felt the cold while feeding. He kept the truck cab good and warm for my twin sister, our best friend and me while feeding.
I think cows are beautiful. Watching the young 4-H kids handle those big animals in the show rings at every summer County fair fills me with wonder. They work so diligently, and the cattle are so well kept. And besides all that, I love the sound of a cow mooing.
Later, much later, in life a good friend asked me in a rather disgusted tone why do I like cows? “They are stinky and have flies all over them!”, she said. I laughed, thinking she was right—at least on the flies all over them point.
I don’t think cows stink.
We have three Miniature Hereford steers on our little farm. I agree with my cattle-loving brother-in-law, ” It isn’t much of a farm without cattle on it.” There is a bucolic feeling of cattle out in a field. I suppose as the tree is bent so it grows, and I am just bent that way.
Though I would never say cattle rank above horses in my mind, they sure are hot on the heels of them. Mr. White just may be right, deep in my heart I am a cow-woman.
Hanging around after feeding time.Though fuzzy, they are rough-housing around!They always stick close together.Our farm looks complete with the cattle.Mr. White made this for our railing. Made of horseshoes of course!The grass is so long and beautiful, the steers are very nearly hidden!
Someday never comes. That is what my mother used to tell me. But Scripture tells me that a desire worked on diligently will come. I have chosen to believe Scripture, though I have known the truth of Mom’s words too.
It has helped me to write down goals for my someday. Sometimes I get them, sometimes I do not. So I suppose the question I have to ask myself is this: How badly do I really want that someday to come? It must come from actions done by me. I am thinking if my someday never comes, I probably never really wanted it begin with. Dreaming is free and easy.
John Denvers’ song “Some days are diamonds, some days are stone, sometimes the hard times won’t leave you alone” came straight to mind when I read the writing prompt for this week—some.
I was young when this song came out, and though it is about a broken relationship, the chorus were words than rang in my head during some long hard days that plague us all at times. Singing them over and over in my head helped plow through those times.
Funny this is, the other day my daughter phoned. Just the way she said “Hi, Mom” told it all. A new momma now trying to figure out her new lifestyle with a new little baby. Just having someone to vent to is a huge help, so I listened. Finally, I found myself saying to her, “Well, honey, some days are diamonds, some days are stone. Sometimes the hard times won’t leave you alone.”
She got through it, she’ll have more, she’ll get through them. By God’s good grace we all will.
I have borrowed Bilbo Baggins title of his book of adventures in the classic book The Hobbit, for this post. I think it is a great title for a book of adventures. Which is just what we recently returned from. We being my husband, Bill, our daughter, Helen, her husband, Jon, and their little five month old baby boy, Francis.
Our adventure was not across the worlds but was across our country. We spend 9 terrific days on a 725-mile road trip in Northern California. The main reason for the trip was threefold; for Bill and me to meet Jon’s family, and for them to meet their only great-grandson for the first time and to see the Redwoods. Jon grew up in California. He knows the area well, and he planned the whole exciting road trip. There were places he wanted us to see. This is my most favorite kind of travel. All the plans are made, routes are figured out, wonderful old hotels were awaiting our arrivals. What a grand road trip he gave us!
I have never been to California, everyone else, except baby Francis, has. So it all was a thrilling first for me. We landed in San Fransisco. Rented a big SUV, the smallest person had the most stuff! First stop on Jon’s agenda; burger and fries at the In n’ Out Burger restaurant. Oh my goodness, wish we had them here. Crossing over the Golden Gate Bridge was surreal for me, as I have only seen it in photographs. We toured around on the park side of the bridge, picked up Rt 101N. We bid the big city farewell as our sights were set on the ‘Lost Coast’, the name given to N California.
Jon’s grandparents live in a wonderful cabin home in a tiny town called Hayfork, CA. Next door Jon’s great-Aunt Shirley has a cozy cabin as well. Other family members flew in. We were there for Easter. Words are not able to explain how special it was meeting these delightful extended family folk. Spending Easter with them made it doubly special.
Two beautiful towns, Hopland, where the old Thatcher Hotel gave us a warm welcome and overnight stay. Next was the historic, logging company town of Scotia, where we lodged for two fun nights at the Scotia Lodge. Spending two exciting days among the Avenue of the Giants. Those incredible Coastal Redwoods are beyond description. Living testimonies of a great and mighty God.
Rt. 36, off Rt 101 carried us East to Rt. 3 where we met Jon’s lovely family. They were thrilled at meeting their only great-grandson, Francis. The air B ‘n B, Ivan’s Lookout, near Weaverville accommodated us perfectly for the three nights there.
Jon completed our circuit by driving through the absolutely gorgeous, fertile Sonoma Valley. California raisins and almonds will never taste the same to me. The land was gorgeous, the wine country stunning, the people friendly, and now I know where the dinosaurs and BigFoot live—in the Coastal Redwoods!
To see this famous icon in person is thrilling.Hopland, Ca. Simply gorgeous vineyards all around.The Thatcher Hotel where beautiful olive trees grew all around!Scotia, CA. Originally a company logging town. The Scotia Lodge was where we stayed. This photo is town office.Crossing over the Eel River on a redwood for more exploring.The Redwoods dwarf Bill……and me!Spending Easter with family—a special treat.Family was thrilled to meet their only great-grand-baby, Francis.Herbert, the neighborhood piggy.Outstanding view from Ivan’s Lookout.California raisins and almonds will never taste the same. Now I know what the California sun feels like. What a trip Jon gave us! There and back again.
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