Gad-Zukes!

I’m amazed how I felt a little discouraged as this week began. I considered what the garden is actually producing compared to the labor we put into it six days a week. We were all feeling disappointed that we see lots of tiny, little buds, but no cucumbers in particular.

 

Even so, on her “day off” Izzy and I were out there on our knees, enjoying the cool of the morning and pulling weeds.

Imagine my surprise when she blurted out, “CUCUMBERS!”  And then, “Growing in the spaghetti squash. We’ve got cucumbers!”

Sure enough, before I could get over to shoot what to us is phenomenal, Iz had picked four nice-sized cucumbers and found more growing among the astoundingly prolific spaghetti squash. Remarkably only buds are on all the other vines down the rest of the row.

Later, as I packed bags of lettuce to share with friends at our Bible Study meeting, I thought about how the week turned around.

Firstly, I’m glad this week I’m not the only silly soul. And I’m glad to know I’m not the only human that tends to focus upon our understandings, expectations and agendas and we sometimes miss something else God may be doing.

 

For another example, last year I was disappointed that no home groups from my local church meet near our neighborhood anymore. That disappointment is now a sharp contrast to how I look forward to Friday evenings – every week.

Regardless how tired I may be, Former Neighbor Andee texts me from her new home barely ten minutes away to tell me she’s on her way, to start heading down my driveway. She knows what it takes for me to leave the cottage. I’m not proud that usually I’ve splatted against a wall by five and try to talk myself out of going – nearly every week. But every week I climb into Andee’s truck and I’m astounded at all I learn about our study topic and our friends, the people in our group.

This week more than anything else, I’m grateful for God’s eternal perspective. I appreciate the blessed assurance that He likely enjoys much of our silliness between the blessings. And He knows the cucumbers are worth the wait.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

 

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Crowing and Growing

I mostly wake up happy and often amused.

 

It’s Darrell’s fault.

 

An adolescent rooster, he first found his voice around noon one lovely summer day. Then he began some serious practicing.  All. Day. Long.

Gradually he began announcing the new day just after dawn. Now he starts around four a.m.  I once wondered if I’d sleep in without him, but it’s not an issue. Once I fill a mug, I actually like easing into the day as the sun rises. Besides, Darrell’s bio clock will stabilize before winter rears it’s testy ol’ head around here.

Today Darrell got me thinking about how much I didn’t know coming in here and all I’ve learned.  Despite all the changes, and aside from my impressive but minor injuries, we made it through my first year relatively unscathed.

Now that we’ve all settled in, with fewer chores and less distractions I get to concentrate on my relationship with God, practicing His constant presence*.

I don’t know about most people, but for me this is going to take lots more practice.

This morning Sarah Young** encouraged me with her perspective (excuse my paraphrasing):

• All people fail.
• Don’t flip out when you do.
• Keep trying.
• Try seeing yourself as God sees you.
• He sees “the progress we make every time we reach out to him.”
• Celebrate every tiny success.

 

Darrell seems to get this. I’ll keep working at it too.

 

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” Romans 8:38 (NLT)

 

*The Practice of the Presence of God, Brother Lawrence

**Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young, November 01