Work And Worship

Today is Sunday. Today is Father's Day. Today is the longest day of the year. Today it's raining. Life is not about how we feel, but how we choose to act. Thinking back on our past month the two things that I've enjoyed are work and worship. The hard red winter wheat is about 2 weeks away from harvest.

Last weekend we drove to Sheldon, Iowa, met grandkids, Cody and Tori, who live in South Dakota, and attended a 2 day Christian outdoor concert called Risefest, attended by 30,000 folks. The atmosphere, music, and  message were true worship other than long lines. 53 folks gave their lives to Christ for the first time and were baptized Saturday evening. 

While looking for my 8th grade Bible, this report card showed up. I didn't care for school much. The Bs, Cs, and Ds don't bother me today. What does bother me though is that every report card, every year, by every teacher, said, "He is capable of doing better".

Speaking of 8th graders doing their best, Natalie and her older sister Adi just finished shooting at state with their Pella Christian School shooting team. Both girls did well. Natalie won State in her age group. Thanks for the picture.

Along with haying, June could be considered a "weed and feed" month. We're just about wrapped up with 2nd pass spraying. We have also been adding some nitrogen fertilizer to a few fields for ourselves and others.

Another June job is mowing road ditches, waterways, and terraces. It's not only to keep things neat, but also to keep the trashy trees from growing which are abundant in southern Iowa.

What a blessing it is to not only work with grandkids but to worship with them. Not just praying before meals. Not just sitting in church with them. Not just telling them stories of God's goodness in the pickup on the way to the field. But to be in an atmosphere where you feel God's presence, and see they do as well. To listen to little ones sing praise songs, and know every word.

I snapped this picture off the screen last Saturday evening. The raised hands around the stage aren't approving of the artist. Young and old alike are worshipping God. The pathway to meaningful work is sacrifice believe it or not. Surrendering our purposes and abilities to God. And surrendering the urge to be the center of every story, allowing others to succeed in both work and worship. "So when I fight, I'll fight on my knees, with my hands lifted high. Oh God, the battle belongs to you".