Don’t Stop BelEE-vin...IN YOU!

This won’t sound like a big deal to some of you, but it’s raining y’all.
Yes, I’m very thankful for the rain. We sure need it. The pond is super low and the wheat can use a pep-me-up. But it doesn’t make my life more fun.

I guess if I were younger I could use the mud to my advantage and slop around in it and throw caution to the wind. Nary a care might I have for the work it takes to get ground in mud out of the tight fibers of a pair of jeans...or three. And never mind the footprints through the carpet and the chunks that dry onto the hardwoods when I don’t take off my muddy shoes because my fingers are so frozen that I can’t untie my laces. Oh, no worries either when I decide to drive around in the pasture paying no thought to the hard work plowing and planting and praying for each blade of greenery for the animals to chew up that might buy us a little time between loads of feed. Nah.

But I’m not young. In fact, I seem to get decades older every year! Darn it.

It’s okay though. I can still get ‘er done. Thank GOD.

Today was a real challenge though, and I thought I’d share with you because it was kinda humorous. It would've been more hilarious if I had thrown myself in the yard and bawled my eyes out like I could have. But that’s not really how I roll...Nana don’t cry- In public anyway.

So, for Christmas my amazingly talented and thoughtful son and daughter-in-love put in a remote gate for me. It’s AWESOME! I would’ve never thought I needed one, but wow is it a game changer! I can drive my Gator through there or when I choose to walk, or have to slop through the mud so I won’t have the embarrassment of getting the Gator stuck, I can just push a button and wa-lah!

Well, my daughters little paint is much quicker than his hundred years of age would make you think. That little toot ran right out that gate this morning as I barely got through it! He proceeded to flop around through the yard right out in front of God and everyone...I was not amused...well, a little but I was also perplexed.

I turned around and gave a “Oh NO YOU DIDN’T!” and yep, he did. I went after him, leaving the Gator and the feed!
In my best, “come here Kota” coaxing voice, I tried to call him back. Nope. He was FREE! He looked more confused, but we all know how those horses act when the gate is left open!
Stomping back to the feed bucket, finding Jenny banging at it frantically trying to get the lid off like a kid left alone in an ice cream shop! UGH.
Long story short, Kota finally found the mother load and walked right into the feed room. I laughed, haltered him and lead him back to his place in line. Stinker.

Once I finally got all the brats stalled and fed, I was able to stand quiet and take a breath as I reflected on how that all had played out. I was singing a song when it happened, almost had a panic feeling when Kota took off toward the road and I wondered how in the world was I gonna catch this blind and deaf, rouge horse...but I didn’t.

I cannot run after him. I cannot call for help. Who would I call? I could just pray. And I did! “God help me.” That’s all I said. Kota didn’t get on the road, he turned around, trotted to the fence and walked into the feed room. A dark and weird place to him, but he walked right in and then he snooped around while I slowly approached him and hoped he didn’t turn around and run me over to get back out! I didn’t give up, I knew I could do this because I knew where my help would come from, and I kept singing that song.

It was a muddy mess. An imperfect morning, but the chore was accomplished and no one was hurt.

I thought over all the perfect mornings I do have. The numerous easy mornings where everything goes perfectly, nobody gives me trouble, everyone is injury free and I’m able to watch the day begin in peaceful wonder as I enjoy the sunrise and the birds...so what’s a few yucky days in the muck? It wasn’t a huge deal, but it could’ve been...it wasn’t a deep valley, but I’m thankful that I could remember the mountains that I stand on most days and I pray that if there is ever a deeper valley for me, that I do the same thing I did in that little draw...pray, remember who is in charge and who is my helper. And sing.

You may be going through a serious valley, I hope you remember how important you are and that the mountain is just ahead. Keep seeking God, He will carry you, lead you. He’s always the same and always there for you. Little hiccups or huge obstacles, He’s a solid helper.

Now it’s time to do it all over again, but on a larger scale...now the chore includes the rest of the multitudes...Praying first! Yes, I'll keep singing..."I need you OH I need you, every hour I need you..."

Romans 15:13 “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not: for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”