If I had my choice, I'd own a small farm... my husband and I would be very healthy and able to do most of the work... my son would want to be a farmer instead of a computer scientist... and my grandchildren would live close enough to visit the farm on weekends.
I pass gorgeous farms when driving on the highways and byways of my county and I covet. Especially those with white farmhouses and red barns... tall fields of corn... cows... horses... more cows... and a large veggie garden near the house.
Long ago I made the decision to live life as it is and not as I want it to be... to a certain point. For there are plenty of options within the parameters God has ordained. Edith Schaeffer talks about this a lot in her books... that we are not to complain about what we do not have while doing nothing with what we do have.
I cannot sit at home longing for acres of produce and a John Deere tractor while letting the sunny section of my yard remain as grass. In one year... with a severely limited budget... we built and planted the small veggie and herb garden.
All it took was a little research online and in books, setting aside a portion of money my husband earned working the usual two weeks at the bookstore last winter and this spring, building the fence and two small beds last spring, and building another two this year... and planting.
All done a little at a time when circumstances and budget allowed. The hardest part of the entire process... making the decision to "go for it". God does give us the desire of our heart, we only need to not look at the perfect dream but what part of that dream is available right now.
A basket of herbs waiting to be dried
This morning I enjoyed checking the garden after yesterday's soaking rain. I gave the herb garden a haircut while chatting with Stephanie on her way to a Connecticut beach.
There was some puttering around on the deck on the way to the house to put back what was taken down before storms hit yesterday... and time was taken to cut back the sweet annie (which surprised me by coming up again this year near the house) to dry with the other herbs.
Just enough for now with what is given in time, energy, and finances. Not perfect by any means.. but good. I must admit to a constant struggle between the perfect desires of the heart and what is available at the time. But I think that is common to mankind.
The difference faith makes... the knowledge this world is not all there is. Our hearts long for Eden but we are to do the best we can on this sod called Earth.
10 comments:
Wonderful post full of wisdom! And what is "sweet annie"--I've never heard of it. Love, love, love your photo of the chair with the herbs on it. Beautiful!
wonderful post! I planted herbs for the first time this year.... can you dry all of them or just certain ones? And which ones are getting haircuts? I know, I know... I should do my own research. :o)
Your words zinged straight to my heart. How I've longed for "something else." "Something better." "Something new to wear." Differenct circumstances are not necessarily better ones to be sure. I think I could've enjoyed being married to a millionaire, but I sure do love the man who came along at a time most unlikely. Thank you for pointing to the possibilities. That Edith is a smart gal and you are a good student.
Such truth and beauty in your post.
Thank you!
I, too, long for a little farm, but God has other plans at least for this season of life for my family, and I am learning to "bloom where I'm planted" a little more each day.
Blessings,
Catherine :)
A lovely post, full of wisdom.
Gorgeous photo of the herbs. Looks like it should be in a magazine. Good for you to use what space you have to enjoy a beautiful herb garden. I should do that too. Deb =^..^=z5
Oh my gosh, do you see my tears? This went straight to my heart. Very clearly, so many times, I have heard God telling me to wait when I have prayed for something. And what do I do while I wait? Apparently not enough. I have wasted so much time. Thank you for the slap to the forehead, so to speak. God reveals himself in so many ways to us. Your words did that for me today.
Great post! If you lived on a farm, you might not have time to keep up your blog and that would be too bad because it's an inspiration to a lot of people.
Thanks so much for sharing...this is what God has been speaking to my heart...thanks for putting it into words.
I was blessed by your words
My husband lost his job suddenly back in late April which brought about a whirlwind of changes for us. He was old enough to semi-retire and we moved back to our hometown where my work actually is located. In other words, we simplified like crazy and still are. Reading your blog daily has certainly helped to "ground" me. We're slowly getting to the other side of this and seeing all over again that Romans 8:28 is for all of us. Your steadfast example pushed me to restart my blog and to keep going.Thank you for daily encouragement.
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