Would I Be A Channel

 

Would I be a channel,

Only a channel for Thee.

Content to set all glories aside

To simply be a vessel for Thee.

Soaking daily in Thy Word

Renewed each morning with Your smile

Resting my head upon Your chest

And waiting upon Your voice.

Setting all worldliness aside,

Sacrificed upon Your altar.

Content to wear the cross You bore

For my sin, it was that it was borne.

Would I be a channel,

A vessel exuding Thy light.

Seeking no honor for myself,

But only for You to be glorified.

A Lesson in Trust

Belle is my cow. After arriving at the farm as our family's first milk cow,  Belle gradually became my particular project and my special friend. That has been over 10 years now and although Belle is a dinosaur in cow years, she still holds such a special place in my heart and life. 

Belle is due to calve soon, any day in fact, and earlier this week I brought her alone to a new pen so I could watch over her more easily, where she had a clean place to calve and so for her to be near to milk when the time came. Belle had grown accustomed to being a part of the herd and the sudden change to solitude did not sit well with her. She expressed this dissatisfaction with regular bawls and she generally acts discontented. I was outside the other day paying her a quick visit and as I walked back to the house, I had a spiritual analogy. 

Belle was standing at the gate, wishing to be released from the "prison" I had placed her in. I attempted to console her with the truth that as soon as she calved she would have the company she desired and would become perfectly content with her situation. In short, after a time, she would understand why I had her in the position that I did. 

Belle and I in 2018

As I turned my steps back toward the house, I made the connection between the physical example before me and z spiritual truth. Right now, there are things in life that don't make sense to me, areas that I wish were different. We all have things like that, but what would the Lord like to say to us? "My daughter, this will all make sense in time, you will simply have to trust Me with today." One day, all the confusion will be made clear, and out of the painful stones placed in our lives will be made into a beautiful memorial unto the Lord's work in our life, Jesus Christ being the Cornerstone. 

So take courage, take hope. His way is perfect (Deuteronomy 32:4) and He has promised to work EVERYTHING for good in life, even our mistakes He uses for His glory (Romans 8:28).

Waiting

"Steadfastness, that is holding on;

Patience, that is holding back

Expectancy, that is holding the face up;

Obedience, that is holding one's self in readiness to go or do;

Listening, that is holding quiet and still so as to hear."

~S.D. Gordon "Quiet Talk on Prayer" 

Family Life - Fall 2022

Is this a rather late post? Yes, it is and although I offer no apology, the numerous pictures below may supply a sufficient reason. The last months of 2022 were full of steady activity and continued opportunities for grace. Christ continues to reign and may we only look to Him in Whom we live, and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).

So, here is a peek at the Smith family's fall season. 

Storing a few jars of saurkraut.

Although our family primarily purchases all our hay, we do a 
a relatively small amount of baleage. There is something nostalgic
about hay season and even though I am not  needed in the actual 
work itself, I still enjoy walking through the windrows and smelling
the sweet smell of fresh-cut hay.

We waved goodbye to Caden in September as he headed to 
Ambassador Bible College. Before he left, the 7 of us
children at home went out for ice cream. 

James celebrating 1 month!

While working for a local business at the Kentucky State Fair, 
I was able to spend some special time with my grandfather (my dad's father).
I am so grateful for those memories. 

We celebrated Grandma's (Mom's mother) 80th birthday with
a special dinner out!

Celebrating Leah's 14th birthday.

In September, I flew to Florida for a prison ministry trip.

Home again! Checking cows with Hope and Peaches.

I spent a weekend with Grandma. 

In late September, Emma, Stephen, and James came up to Kentucky
for a visit! It was the first time that most of the family had the opportunity 
to meet James. Here he is with Aunt Ella!

Although I had been present at James' birth, I was still eager 
to get in baby snuggles.

We went through a corn maze together while they were here. 

In late October, I was able to go over to North Carolina to spend several 
days with Emma and her family. As Caden was headed back in that direction
to college after fall break, I took advantage of the ride. I had a wonderful 
chauffeur and it was wonderful getting all that visiting time with him. 

Love the auntie and nephew time!

I made applesauce this fall and tried my hand at canning for the 
first time!

We surprised Olivia with a high school graduation party! We had 
a sweet time as a family celebrating Olivia, her life, and the 
the accomplishment of completing high school.