The Blessing Of Time

When I was these little guys age time moved slower and there seemed to be plenty. As an adult time flies and extra is usually a gift. The gift of time is a touch different than the blessing of time. The gift of time is something we receive. The blessing of time is how we use what we receive. 

Lane and his friend Logan are helping put away tables.

Time doesn't move backwards. So just like watching a sunset at the end of a year, all we can do is think back and contemplate the blessings of time we received and the ones we gave. At the beginning of 2022 my cup of blessing was full. At the end of the year it was fuller.  

I snapped this picture walking home from the Morgan farm.

Yesterday morning our crew got together for a New Years Eve breakfast in the shop across the road. After playing the song, The Blessing, for devotions Mike and Jackson helped mix and make three boxes of pancake mix while Kurt helped with the eight dozen eggs. Jan also prepared biscuits and sausage gravy, hash browns, mixed fruit, cinnamon rolls, monkey bread, bacon, ham, and link sausage, orange juice, and white and chocolate milk. I made the coffee.😊

When the weather turned to winter a couple of weeks ago much of the heavy equipment got moved home.

Then with moderating temps this past week Mike worked on burning some brush piles. Thanks for the picture Mike.

And BJ worked on removing brush on some field edges of a CRP field. The frost in the ground ranges from very little to 12 inches.

Lane and Jayden helped their dad, Kurt, get ready for a few bred cows that Keith and Julie might bring over. Thanks for the picture.

During the coldest weather Ezra, Elijah, and I went up in the old shop to check on the ceiling insulation. The boys covered up a few racoon trails. Fortunately our shop heat here on our home yard is subsidized with waste oil heat, saving some LP on the in-floor heat.

Last Monday evening my extended family got together for supper. That would be my sister Donna and Roger, my brother Doug and Ginger, my brother Bill and Julie, and my sister Beth and Dan, and those of our kids and grandkids that could make it.

Mike and son Cody worked together yesterday on Cody's car. Cody is home on Christmas break from Dordt University in Sioux Center.

The length of our time on earth has been predetermined from the day we were born. Larry was a blessing to many the 84 years he was on earth. He passed away Christmas Day. His wife Lavonne and their three daughters Lana, Loretta, and Lucia, and their families will be in our thoughts and prayers as they adjust to life here without him. "Butch" helped us haul corn from the field to Eddyville a few years back.

So for those of us that still have time here on earth, how do we view the big picture of 2023? Enjoy the small ordinary moments. As we get back in the groove of a new year, let's not create a rut we get stuck in. Getting comfortable in a rut limits our potential. Blessings, time, and our purpose, are all created and determined by our God.

So we're starting a brand new year. And a year bound to bring changes. Believe 2023 will be better because you are in it. What can you do?

 

1. Give. Sacrificially. 2. Care. More than most think is prudent. 3. Listen. Instead of just waiting to talk. 4. Help. Without expecting recognition. 5. Celebrate. The success of others. 6. And lead. From behind the scenes. 

 

I value the blessing of time we have together on Sunday mornings. Happy New Year.