The Smell Of Tassels

After a couple of rain showers last week the country side is covered in corn tassels. In early mornings and late evenings you can smell the tassels and silks as the corn plant starts the process of making an ear.

 The smell of corn tassels is a gift, announcing things are happening. And it is a promise that we are another step closer to harvest.

 Every year we worry about whether or not we will have a crop. Will we be able to provide, to pay the bills, to share with those less fortunate?

 And every year God shows He is faithful and looks forward to taking care of our needs. Yesterday BJ combined his rye.

 I stopped in occasionally at Karl and Kristin's just to keep an eye on things. They and Kurt and Emily get back today from taking some time off in Colorado with the girls' parents. 

 Mike called me on the 4th of July and asked if I had some time to help. My friend Dana tells me, "If your going to make a mistake, make it at full speed."

 We soon had things back on their wheels and after a good greasing Mike was back in business.

I spent some time near Huxley this week learning what's coming down the pipe as far as new seed technology for next year.

 Last Sunday evening we enjoyed time as family and friends at the kid's campsite in a cornfield along the Des Moines River.

 Last evening our community got together in the city square for food, fellowship, and a concert. I think this is a benefit of small rural communities and should continue to be promoted. 

 Small rural communities also hurt together when there is a loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Scott and Sandy and all their extended families as they grieve the loss of Rueben this past week.

Yesterday the Family Leader put on a leadership summit where Ann Graham Lotz talked about prayer and Del Tackett talked about loss of absolutes but how God has been keeping a remnant in our country for His purposes.

 I saw this picture of cousins six years ago at Kurt and Emily's wedding. Wow. How time flies.

 These are those same cousins today hanging out and helping Grandpa.

 Since my sister Beth is visiting my family got together at Doug and Ginger's house for supper. These are my brother Bill and Julie's kids, Matt and Hannah. It seemed like just last week they were growing up. Today they have kids of their own.

 The smell of tassels is a promise. A promise that things are happening and God is in control. At times our country seems out of control. We don't know whether we are approaching our final days or our finest days. We do know God calls us to be faithful and part of the process.

Ephesians 2: 10 says that we are God's workmanship and He has created us to do good works, which He prepared in advance for us to do.