It's no secret that winter is my least favorite season. But recently I have been challenged by a quote I came across, “If you choose not to find joy in the snow, you will have less joy in your life but still the same amount of snow.” We may not get much snow here in Tennessee but the principle still applies. The real challenge though is remembering that my joy does not come from the the lack of snow or the warmth of the sun. My joy comes from Jesus. No matter what season of life I am in emotionally or physically, He is still with me.
I especially needed that reminder this week. Saying goodbye to Beau was immensely difficult. We miss his sweet face so much. We were lucky to have such an amazing and sweet pup in our lives. As we pushed forward through the week we were met with a few more disappointments. First we found out that Trexy was not bred back during her last heat cycle. She was bred by the bull again this week, so now we just have to wait. If she doesn't take this time we will need to have the vet check her out and make sure there is nothing underlying that would prevent her from being bred.
The very next day I find that Bellatrix had abandoned her eggs. Y'all I was really hoping that she would help us grow our flock this year, but she had other plans. If we don't get another broody hen, we may just borrow an incubator from a friend. It's not the same as watching a mama hen with her chicks, but farm life never really goes as planned. Nature does what it wants. We just have to roll with it and adjust our expectations.
Looking back on our week makes me so thankful that we are approaching a new season on the farm. It may still be winter, but soon we will be welcoming Paris's kids into the world. My prayer as we start this week, is that God would help us to see past our hurt and disappointment and help us see all the blessings he has given us here on the farm and in our lives. Keeping our focus on Him and remembering why we started this journey in the first place. That is where our joy comes from.
Jeremiah 29:5-11
"Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord. This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
How can I pray for you?
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