Let Me Tell You

This weekend was rough. Brent gets off work on Fridays in the mid-afternoon. In a "typical" week that means we do a little yard work or something outside, clean up, and then start our Sabbath. Sabbath is something we've tried to incorporate in our weekly rhythm after we felt like God was smashing our face into the concept (we're fickle people) for a few months. We started in January of 2020. We keep it simple and there's HUGE room for growth in the area, but our family take turns choosing where/what to eat and what to watch (a family movie). Ideally, we don't do dishes or laundry and we put our phones away. Anything that is rest, worship or fun is a YES. This week wasn't ideal, and honestly it rarely is. Sabbath with littles is a lot of trial and error. Micah's baseball practice got moved to Friday due to rain, so we decided to move our Sabbath Saturday (enter narrator voice that says, that was the wrong move). 

Since Brent's Dad passed away, Brent's rhythms look different. What was yard work is now, what the kids have coined "farm work". "Farm work" is still very therapeutic/Sabbath-y/etc for him- usually. But when things don't work and rain is coming, it isn't. Those of you seasoned farmers and farm families are laughing in our faces, and you certainly have the right to do so. We're not farmers, but we're learning and dabbling and we're often frustrated. Again, this is where you point and laugh. 

So Saturday was the day when things really decided not to work. Raking, bailing, combining, all a big fat NOPE. It felt like God didn't care. I know that sounds dramatic, but it's truly how it felt. I thought we were going to be together Saturday evening and celebrate Sabbath, and as "farm work" goes that didn't happen. (Again, you farmers of years, point and laugh.) It felt cruel. 

I have a Bible app on my phone that sends a daily verse. Somewhere along the way my settings got changed so that it sends in the evening instead of morning. Saturday evening I got this- "Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you. I Peter 5:7" I sent it on to Brent with a (admittedly snarky tone) "ok, Bible app". 

Sunday starts early for me as I'm a worship leader at our church. I was just telling someone that for a few hours on Sunday, Brent and I reverse roles as he gets the kids to church (yes, all 6 and yes, he is amazing) and I make final preparations to the worship set and spend some time with Jesus. We sang a lot of "It Is Well" songs and they were not easy to sing but they were a balm for my soul. God makes it well with my soul. On some Sunday evenings, we have the college-age adults out and we feed them. They provide all the entertainment. And did they ever provide this week. 

This Sunday we ate, we listened to M read icebreaker questions and we certainly laughed and enjoyed each other's presence. The guys started harassing Brent about our lawn and then someone asked about Gary's combine that is parked right by our house. Brent said that he had charged the battery, but couldn't get it to start. Two of the guys headed over and started looking it over and soon the rest of the guys joined. I don't know all the steps that took place next, but would you believe that those guys got that combine started?! Brent and I just stood back in awe and watched them smile and try different levers and buttons. And then we were even more shocked when the header started turning. There was a little section of wheat close to our house that was too wet to cut on Saturday and they went over and started cutting. 

I could see them from our house along with our kids and the other college girls that came. We all just watched and smiled. 

"Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you. I Peter 5:7"

God cared for us and he used the most unexpected group- isn't that just like Him? One of the two guys that had the most experience with combines we had only just met on Sunday.

So let me tell you about my good God. Often, He doesn't answer the way I want Him to or the way I think he will or the way I think He should. But then, He answers (or in this case, whispers) in an unexpected way. I too often miss that He did answer because of my preconceived ideas. So I'm documenting it here so when I forget, I can have this night baring witness to His tender care. 

We will always remember Sunday night as when God "tenderly cared". Also, this group of young adults that were there to witness the event and take such an active role in God's plan will always hold a special place in our hearts. 

(Brent took some pictures of the guys, but to respect their privacy I won't post them here. However I did exploit their gifts of taking photos as they took some fabulous ones that are posted here- huge thanks to Mace for the drone pics and Carson for the sunset ones).