20 Years

Thou, O Lord, my only trust,

When friends are mingled with the dust,

And all my loves are gone.

When earth has nothing to bestow,

And every flower is dead below,

I look to thee alone.

from 'The Basket of Flowers'

Tomorrow I turn 20.

"Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You". Psalm 39:4-5

"As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness." Psalm 17:15

This past month I have been filled with joy once I looked past the heartache. Without giving you all the details, I finally and fully submitted a part of my life to God. 'twas the hardest thing to trust Him enough to give up all control. Though it hurts, my dearest friends have also faithfully revealed to me sins in my life that I need to address. Respecting parents, guarding my tongue from offending my brothers and sisters in Christ, and being fully satisfied in Christ - not being dependant on peers or wanting a spouse to fulfill me.

Is there anything more beautiful than the prayers of God's people, the powerful heart-work of the Holy Spirit, and the faithful wounds of a friend?

God is calling me to be a farmer. A high and noble calling, it does nevertheless require a shift in my thinking and priorities. I read a book by Joel Salatin called 'You Can Farm', and it made me passionate enough to take the plunge. Next year I would like to start bee hives, expand our orchard, keep refining the dairy business and begin rotational grazing of the fields, raise more chickens and begin butchering some for meat.

As I turn to a new decade of my life, I find a strong new confidence "in the fear of the Lord" (Pr.14:26), and joy that I am being led by Him.

Have you heard the hymn, 'Make Me a Stranger'?

Make me a stranger on earth, dear Savior,

make me a stranger more like Thee.

Help me keep my focus on heavenly treasures,

and not on earthly things may it be.

Lord, I've found myself loving earthly treasures:

simple pleasures taking Your place.

Nothing can measure to heavenly treasures:

hearing "Well done," and seeing Your face.

Lord, lead me onward as a pilgrim

bound for heaven never to roam.

Make me a stranger on earth, dear Savior,

Till I see my heavenly home.

You are all such dear friends - thank you for selflessly investing in my life. I only hope I can repay you someday.