The Old Schoolhouse

Traveling backroads, you find many unique, interesting structures.

The spring foliage is starting to show around this old schoolhouse. It won’t be long for children to start their summer vacations.

As the school year winds down, many youngsters are anticipating what they will be doing over the next few months. Camps, family trips and time spent with friends top the lists for many. Others are thinking about summer jobs and what they may do with their earnings.

But, as we all eventually learn, our education never really ends when we leave the walls of a school building. Life has many unique things to teach us.

It may have been years since the walls of this structure heard the laughter of young voices. Yet, it’s a reminder that we’re never too young or old to learn new things.

Have a great day!

(Please follow us on Facebook at “The Rural Journal” and online at www.theruraljournal.com. This was first published at www.theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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A Longhorn Perspective

Recently, I saw these three head of cattle in a pasture that I was driving past.

From the intent look of the closest animal, I felt fortunate to have a fence between her and me! It was as if she was protecting the other cow with its calf.

How often do we show concern for others around us? After all, we’re all created by God.

Each individual shows the Creator’s love in unique ways. Perhaps, we could take a lesson from these animals and show concern for each person who comes into our lives. In the end, we will experience God’s love in ways that may not have been possible otherwise.

Have a great day!

(Please follow us on Facebook at “The Rural Journal” and online at www.theruraljournal.com. This was first published at www.theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Spring Lambs

Lambs come to mind for many people when they think about spring.  They’re fun to watch as they play and run around open pastures near their mothers.  The docile, gentle, defenseless animals have come to represent Easter.

Yet, young lambs running about in pastures also have a significant religious meaning.

For the Christian, these animals represent the people who Christ came to die and come back to life for. As the Bible tells us, people are like sheep. We are prone to get entangled in problems and make bad decisions – just like those four-legged critters. Jesus is also referred to as the Good Shepherd. Just as a farmer or rancher who cares for and protects his sheep from danger, Jesus came to save us and protect us from the consequences of our sins.

In other passages of scripture, Jesus is referred to as the Lamb of God.  In this, He is likened to the young sheep that were continually offered as sin and fellowship sacrifices to God.  Through Christ’s death and resurrection, He paid the ultimate price for all who would place their trust in Him.

As the weather warms and becomes mild, it’s fun to observe the newness of life that’s happening around us.  Lambs are one of the many signs that God has given us showing that He still makes all things new.

Have a great day!

(Please follow us on Facebook at “The Rural Journal” and online at www.theruraljournal.com. This was first published at www.theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Signs of Spring

It’s that time of the year when tree buds and early spring flowers are starting to appear like what is seen in this picture. One can imagine the young livestock – calves, foals and lambs, that are enjoying their first days of new life in many of the nearby pastures.

As the cold nights give way to warm days, there’s a faint earthy smell as farmers begin to work the soil. Of course, the last loads of manure are being hauled out of barns as livestock are beginning to find their way to green, spring pastures. So perhaps, there’s a chance that what I’m smelling is some “fresh country air”.

Spring is a time when the world awakens all around us.  It’s as if everything comes alive after a long winter’s nap.

We look at all of the signs of new life that surrounds us and see an orchestrated beauty there. Even when the world seems out of control, the newness of life shows a certain order. But perhaps there’s more, as that gentle rhythm allows us to see the delicate designs and intricate patterns of a loving Creator. In these moments, we have the ability to be awed by such beauty and grace.

As this new life returns, gone are the cold, dark, damp nights of winter.  In their place, are the warm, fresh, invigorating days of spring.  With the weather changing, take time to enjoy the new life that is appearing all around us.

Have a great day! 😊

(Please follow us on Facebook at “The Rural Journal” and online at www.theruraljournal.com. This was first published at www.theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

 

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