08/02/2024
It’s a wonderful thing when you feel Gods Presence in everyday tasks.
This morning I felt good enough to get our big old zero turn mower out and mow. (Mowing has always been a happy place for me. A time when I can talk to the Lord uninterrupted)
I decided to go over to the camp and mow. I knew it had been a few weeks since I had mowed over there.
As I mowed back and forth I felt a beautiful peace come over me. How many times, how many hours had I cleaned the grounds, mowed, repaired, cooked, cleaned the buildings, sung, played games, listened to youth from all over give their testimonies, or share a burden they were dealing with. How many hearts I’ve seen changed, renewed, saved, encouraged on these grounds. How many tears were shed for lost souls, and runaway family members to come back.
Oh the joy that floods my soul!!
I just had to sit there and praise the Lord for all the hundreds who have been touched by these grounds. Touched by seeing God in His Creation. Encouraged by seeing a tree holding up another one that had come into hard times of storms. That’s how we should be.
Joey always said “No matter where you are in life, there’s a tree or a bush out there telling your story”. I saw that today.
I saw young trees which were vibrant with life and I saw me when I got saved - fired up and ready to tell somebody about Jesus.
I saw some trees that had fallen from a storm and were almost to the point of death but looking closely I saw a small little green leaf sprouting forth from the roots. And I remembered myself many times over the years knocked down with one storm after another. But deep inside there is an everlasting leaf growing inside of me that will never be extinguished.
I saw several tree tops, limbs, branches that have been knocked off during the past couple years of storms. And I remembered all the storms I’ve gone through with Joeys health, my health, and just plain life in general.
And then I saw the trees who have been attacked by a beaver recently. Chewing the life out of those trees. And I thought, yep, I’ve been attacked as well by the enemy. Most times the enemy will attack you at your weakest. (It’s because he’s a coward) Ol’ Stinky Foot as my Brooklyn called him when she was little 😂
And I praised the Lord for it. I’m here today because of those storms. I’m strong today because of the attacks. I’m blessed today because of that little eternal life leaf that is inside of me. I am who I am today because of all the scars, storms, winds, pain, hurt, … and it’s good.
Lord comfort me when the winds howl around me. Strengthen me when the storms come. Make my roots deep so I can withstand. Protect my little leaf inside of me and let it shine forth and bring forth much fruit. And Lord send folk to hold me up when I cannot seem to stand on my own. Thank You Lord Jesus for always speaking to me when I need it the most - even if it’s while I’m mowing. 😇
