A small church in our area asked if I would be willing to come and share my walk with the Lord following a Thanksgiving supper they were having this evening. That's not something we do very often in our church. We should probably do it more but we worry what people will think rather than what God will think. Now since I can sit in front of a computer and visit with you folks no problem I'm going to practice on you if that's alright. I'm planning on sharing ten things God has given me that has had an effect on me.
Parents: I am thankful for Christian parents that raised me in a home where I was taught to love God and my neighbor.
People: I'm thankful I had a houseful of brothers, sisters, and foster kids growing up. I'm also thankful for the people God placed in my life in the right place at the right time to give me guidance and advice when I needed it.
Plan: When I was in 7th grade I made four goals that I wanted to achieve by the time I was 30. God helped me accomplish three of them. The one I did not accomplish I had made for the wrong reason. That goal was that I wanted to receive an Outstanding Young Farmer award. I wanted folks to think I was successful. I learned God doesn't call us to be successful. He calls us to be faithful. When we act justly, show mercy, and walk humbly, success takes care of itself in terms of heavenly awards.
Purpose: I've told you before as a kid I worried God had plans for me other than farming. I am so thankful He has given me a place and a purpose in the vocation I love.
Partner: One of the goals that I made in 7th grade was that I would find a Christian wife that drove tractor. God helped me accomplish that goal. The only problem was Jan drove green tractors and I drove red ones.
Path: As Jan and I started our lives together we couldn't of even come close to guessing the path God had in store for us. We had lots of droughts back then. Interesting enough every time we had a drought we had a child born. Mike-77, Mark-78, BJ-80, and Becky-83. Well, I was getting tired of having droughts and Jan was getting tired of having kids. After that things went along smoothly until 88 when we had another drought but guess what, no one was born that year. We thought we were out of the woods until 89 when we had another short crop and we had twins, Kurt and Karl, to make up for the one we missed in 88. What a blessing today. We did have our first drought in 23 years this past summer but I'm happy to inform you we still only have 6 children.
Pain: Along with those droughts came some mighty short years. On top of the financial strain there was 20% interest rates, sick and dying hogs, scared and unwilling bankers, and a ruptured disk in Jan's back. I was determined I could fix these problems by myself by just working harder. I couldn't. These turned out to be character building years that taught me to lean on God and others for help.
Promise: Late one night during all those character building problems I had put the kids to bed, checked on Jan who had been flat on her back for over a month, loaded the dish washer, did a load of clothes, and went out to mow some hay. Back in the 80's we were baling and selling around 100 acres of alfalfa, all small square bales. Because of the late night heavy dew and tangled over ripe alfalfa things did not go well. Finally after unplugging the mower conditioner many times I had come to the end of my rope. I got off the tractor, knelt beside the rear wheel in the hay, and told God I needed help. Although I didn't hear an audible answer He promised He would help me and He has been helping ever since.
Progress: The last 25 years have been a slow and steady progress of partnering with God and family. In 2009 we were blessed to be able to build a cabin to use for family and share with friends. Many of you have been to StillwatersIowa. It's the reason for this blog. During construction Jan and I prayed that since God had shared with us if He would give us opportunities to share this cabin with others. He has answered that prayer. If you come visit or have visited you may have noticed a path to the top of the hill behind the cabin. On that hill is where I was trying to mow hay those many years ago and asked God for help. I still go up there today to talk to God.
Provision: God has provided for us in so many ways. Even this year was an example of adequate provision despite a short crop. So many of our blessings can't be counted in a bank or measured on a balance sheet. I hope I can take what God has shared with me and give back to Him by sharing with others including His wonderful gift that we soon will celebrate and I hope and pray that I can share this story this evening with Him as the main character.
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