The Gift of Rain

In a year when it's flooded more times than ever before in the history of our town. 

Saying rain is a gift, seems like a stretch. 

Roads were washed out in May.

Making travel impossible.

And sending road crews working over time. 

Fields that had been seeded. . .now were flooded

And the funny thing was. . .

we were in drought conditions. 

Grass wasn't growing. .. because it was so dry. 

Water tables were very low. 

And we were concerned. 

How do you survive a drought in farming, 

when things haven't been really that great over the past few years? 

How does parched land yield a harvest?

How do you continue to trust 

when year after year you are faced with; 

economic crisis, death, natural disasters, and then a drought?

What waters your soul?

John 4:14 "but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, 

the water I give them 

will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Funny thing about farming. . . is this is how you roll. 

It is never easy. 

The work is hard. 

Days and nights can be grueling. 

Why do you stay in a job that continues to test and try at every corner?

This is why. . .

and this. . . 

A different perspective changes your view.

Even when there is drought there are lessons to learn.

And each day dawns with a new hope.

New hope, and new life. . .

(So proud of my boy!)

Adventures that you didn't even know were headed your way.

 (those darn heifers)

And this. . . this is the result of hard work, 

of joy, of loss and heartache.

The drought ended. 

And it rained and rained and rained. 

And we were faced with a different problem.

But I have learned much from my farmer. 

Sometimes you really need to remember, 

you're in this for the long haul. 

These temporary setbacks 

don't compare with the beauty awaiting. 

Philippians 3:14 

I press on toward the goal 

to win the prize for which God has called me

 heavenward in Christ Jesus