Road to the Amish

The Amish are fascinating people; so talented and resourceful. Today we headed to Etheridge to find some homegrown vegetables. We ended up with lots of corn, tomatoes and red potatoes, oh and don’t forget the watermelon for $2—not bad. Okay—just found a fresh loaf of bread—still warm—yum! Yes, I had to break off a piece for a taste. And cinnamon rolls with pecan topping. Yeah, I tried that too. (they were a little on the stale side) We didn’t see any buggies on the road until we were ready to leave the area. We saw some young boys coming in with a load of watermelons on their horse drawn cart and a man plowing his fields with a horse drawn plow. There were lots of children around and a cute little baby girl sitting in the middle of a pile of watermelons content with patting them with her tiny hands while her sister watched over her while swinging on the tree swing. I found an “Indian bead” necklace which looked like some type of seeds. I asked what they were made from and the lady just said, “A plant.” Okay. Said I could go look out back if I wanted. I guess I should have. Jim thought it was poisoned—I hope not. The lady said one customer called them “Indian teardrops”. They do look a little like teardrops. I also picked up a hand woven basket. It has the name of the person who made it on the bottom. It happened to be the name of another farm that we stopped at. I’m always surprised that they also grow tobacco on some of the farms. There wasn’t as much as in the past, but a large field. I love seeing the little schoolhouses which aren’t very big. I wonder how many children fit inside. I also wonder if they have their own curriculum to follow. Tuesday must be wash day since there were many lines filled with clean white shirts and blue pants and skirts. If I ever have any questions—I just ask mom. She’s read so many of the Amish fiction books that she knows a lot. At least I suppose most parts are true. I’d rather believe her than the Amish reality shows. I don’t understand why they do those shows. Seems it would disgrace them. Hmmm. For dinner we tried out the corn, squash and tomatoes. Well, not too happy with the corn. Was expecting it to be delicious and sweet. This batch wasn’t and Jim bought 41 ears. He scraped the corn off all the cobs and froze it. We’ll try it again off the cob. We will return! Mom does enjoy driving through the countryside and seeing all the Amish.

Fulfilled

What does that mean—fulfilled? Am I fulfilled? Remember those 5 books I said I was reading? Well, I finished with Fullfilled by Joey Lankford. (The refreshing alternative to the half-empty life.) Fulfilled won out for the book I’d finish first—about a local Tennessee family that gave up a great job and most of their material possessions to follow the call of God on their lives to South Africa, working with Living Way. The interest level kept me reading straight through and I enjoyed it, was inspired by it and I confess I’m envious of them. “Surrender!!” The big nine letter word. Fear has struck at this point. Can I actually pray: “God, anything. You have me.” Joey did. He surrendered everything to the Lord. That’s a hard thing for some of us to do. (or maybe just me) God wants our heart, our loyalty, and our trust. And we need to be ready for what he has for us. “There will come a time in your life when you’re going to need to be prepared. And you’re not going to have time to get prepared.” Pastor Mike Glen I’m a dreamer—God’s a dreamer too. God built us to dream. dream (n.) A strongly desired goal or purpose Something that fully satisfies a wish A visionary creation of the imagination Am I afraid God’s dream won’t coincide with mine? His ways are higher than our ways so maybe his dreams are bigger than ours. (I may have mentioned some of this in a previous blog.) So, what are my dreams? my visions? my passions? my purpose? Jennie Allen uses the following formula in her book Relentless: God’s Story + my threads + the need + the Holy Spirit=my purpose gifts talents passions dreams To go a little deeper: The story of God through Scripture + an understanding of myself and my resources + taking inventory of the need around me + the mystery of following the Holy Spirit’s leading=obediently living our purposes. “Build a working understanding of the ways you have been created, the stories that have been given to you, the passions in your soul, the people in your path, the places you are to be, and the purposes the Holy Spirit is calling you toward.” A couple of years ago, I believe I was given a vision of what I was supposed to do. How do I live it out though? I have ideas, some of which have kind of fallen into place. I’m just not sure how to get started. I am hoping to get involved in something similar, locally for now. I’ll keep you posted in how it all plays out.

Restless

I’m in the beginning stages of 5 books again. I can’t seem to get going on just one or two—but 5??? It’s all about interest level I guess. At this moment, I’m reading Restless: because you were made for more by Jennie Allen. Yes, I’ve been rather restless for the past several years. Pretty much since we’ve been in Tennessee. I had all these plans to get involved with this cause or that one but didn’t get too far. Unmotivated, lazy, dragging my feet, forgetful? Excuses every one of them and I’ve fallen into all of those at one time or another. So here I sit—RESTLESS! Fear has struck at this point. Can I actually pray “God, anything. You have me.”? I sometimes wonder. I’m a dreamer—and God’s a dreamer too. God built us to dream. dream (n.) A strongly desired goal or purpose something that fully satisfies a wish a visionary creation of the imagination Am I afraid God’s dream won’t coincide with mine? When my dreams don’t come true, I tend to give up. I’ve done that more than once: given up. However, I should never stop searching for purpose until God’s will becomes my passion. Am I afraid? Is there some deep need within me that keeps me from missing God’s plans for me? Maybe I should quit analyzing so much: “Quit analyzing everything and just do something.” -Kevin DeYoung “Just Do Something!” Yes, maybe that’s a good idea. Just do something. Stop just thinking about it and follow through. “So God, what am I supposed to do?” How about respond to the need you see right now. John Piper said-“Know Scripture, know yourself, and know the need around you.” We’re all different yet we’re one body. We each have a gift and we’re given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. And are my motives pure? Is my heart right before God? Is this where surrender comes in to play? The parable that Allen uses of running the race hit home with my kids and I. We’ve all been hurt by people; by the church. And as we sit there by the side of the road, we see others racing by. No one stops to offer help when we’re hurting. Why were we hurt? What happened? This is the church. Aren’t they supposed to stop and check on us? People are too busy with their own race it seems to stop and ask if we’re hurt or need help. For that matter, have I taken the time to stop for those on the side of the road? There is a time for every purpose under heaven. What time is it for me? What season am I in? What part of the race am I on? Will I finish well? Will I finish at all? Or will I stay by the side of the road. I’m thirsty. I’ve been waiting for someone to show me the way back into the race. I’ve been hurting and I’m longing for more. I’m not satisfied but not sure what to do about it. I’m asking, “Is there more? And if there is, how do I find it?” (paraphrase from the book) God has been speaking—but I haven’t always been quiet. I try to listen but I’m not sure what to do with all he is saying, what he’s asking of me. Paul says in Ephesians 4:1 “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” I need to run towards Hebrews 12:1-3: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross scorning its shame and sat down on the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.