Take Off Your Shoes

Taking off one's shoes has been and still is a sign of politeness, consideration, respect, reverence, and humility. It's a good habit to have. It's a good habit to teach to our next generations.

It's been a boot week around here this past week with continued cold wet weather. We have not been to the field yet and the forecast is not promising. This spring reminds me of 1983. Our daughter Becky was born on April 15 and we had not been to the field that year yet either.

In the Bible I can think of three times when shoes were asked to be taken off. All three times were encounters with God. And all three were during times of troubles, transition, and triumphs after obeying God. In Exodus 3 Moses was a hired hand for his father-in-law tending livestock when he noticed a bush burning. He was curious so he walked over to check it out. When Moses got close God told him he was on holy ground and to take off his shoes. God said that He saw the troubles of the Israelites in bondage and was asking Moses to be a leader. Moses asked, "Who am I to do this job?" God answered all Moses excuses and promised to be with him.

After Moses died, Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan River to their promised land. He told head of households to gather stones and stack them. And then to use that pile of stones to remember, and to make a habit of telling their next generations about God's goodness during a time of transistion, troubles, and triumphs while moving to the promised land. Joshua then went to check out the city of Jericho when he was confronted by a man with a sword in his hand. Joshua was curious, went to him and demanded, "Are you a friend or enemy?" The fellow said he was the commander of the Lord's army. Joshua went to his knees and said he was at his service and available. The man with the sword asked Joshua to take off his shoes because he was standing on holy ground. The Lord told Joshua He was going to help him. Joshua left confident and the strong city of Jericho was defeated the next week.

On Tuesday we were able to get in a long day of tiling before it started raining again.

We received a farming crew snapchat that evening that Mike had put in a long day as well grading a building site and driveway for Andy and Amara. Thanks for the picture Mike.

Remember a picture a couple of months back of this semi sitting along the road with a puddle of motor oil under it? Well after getting the broken motor replaced with a new one BJ is using it to haul hay to the auction in Drakesville. Parts were not available to rebuild however a complete remanufactured motor was so that's what we did. Because of inflation both of our recent truck repairs cost more than the total truck purchase itself.

One rainy day while some of our crew was working on combines Alex, Jim, and myself cleaned out the washroom drain. This is a 2 x2 x18 foot pit that collects the dirt washed off machinery and vehicles over the winter months.

Although the weather doesn't feel like it it's time for the kids to get their 4-H projects. Stacy and her girls went and bought some baby goats. This is Allison with her pick. Thanks for the picture Stacy.

Jan and I were just kids when we got married. We started a home and a farming career. After a couple of years we started having kids of our own. We lived through times of transition, troubles, and triumphs. There were times when I wrongly thought I could tackle the world with hard work and long hours. And there were times when I cried, took off my shoes, got on my knees, and asked God for help.

Later part of those family changes (transitions) were kids leaving home. Mike entered the Marines at 17 years old. Thanks for the picture this week Suzanne.

Today all our children have families of their own. God answered my (troubled) prayer those many years ago. And today Jan and I have the blessings (triumphs) of relationships with our children and grandchildren. Friday evening I attended Pella Christian's FFA banquet where grandchildren Rachel, John, and Amelia are members.

We are living in a time of drastic transition in our country. Generational. Cultural. Technological. Communicational. Spiritual. We are living amongst troubles of pandemics, wars, lying, lovers of self, anxiety, gender madness, power grabbing, and Godlessness. And until we as a country take off our shoes, get on our knees, and ask God for help, things will continue to implode. Yet, in all this there are triumphs. And most of them center around relationships. Early morning coffee with solid family, help, and friends. Teasing and bantering each other while working together in the shop or sorting bags of seed. And looking forward to spring and the challenges and opportunities it will bring. God has put us all of us in our places for such a time as this.

There was another time in the Bible when folks were asked to take off their shoes. It was on the night before Jesus died. He asked his friends to take off their sandals so He could wash their feet. It was an example of serving and He asked his disciples to follow His example. He asks us to do the same.

So, what about us? Will we take off our shoes and allow God to lead us? There is still fulfillment in work. There is still joy in relationships. There is still awe in encounters with our holy God. There is still satisfaction and purpose in serving. Moses and Joshua were curious and went and checked out the holy ground. We need to do likewise. Blessings.