Tag Archive for: God

Do Your Best

It was another Friday evening and I was washing some dust off of my truck before going home from work. I wanted to make sure that the truck was clean for the following Monday morning – and, the start of another work week.

After another busy day, I was looking forward to heading home to spend the evening with my family. As I finished up, I thought back to a childhood lesson that my parents taught my sister and me.

Growing up, Dad and Mom insisted on us doing our best at whatever we were involved in. Whether it be academics, sports, extracurricular activities or anything else, my sister and I were expected to be diligent and give our very best efforts. Our parents didn’t expect us to be the quickest, but they wanted us to grow as we learned responsibility and the importance of doing a job that was well-done.

Along those lines, I thought back to two comments made by different customers in the last few days. One person had commented on how clean the truck was (I didn’t point out the dust on the back of the truck!). Another individual had asked if the vehicle was new. (It’s a couple of years old.).

It was nice to receive both compliments. Yet, as I was rinsing off the truck, it made also think about how often we do work that is subpar, or even mediocre.

When we don’t do our best, people often use that as a basis to judge us. They may also critique our relationship with God by how well we live out our lives as we serve others through our families, work and other activities.

The reality is that God doesn’t expect us to be experts – the best at whatever we do. Yet, He wants us to give our best as an offering to Him. How we live every facet of our lives is an opportunity to bring praise or insult to God.

Most people don’t think of dirty work vehicles as being part of a testimony to God’s greatness. Yet, we can show love and gratitude to God in even the most obscure and trivial matters.

Have a great day!😀

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” – Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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For the Beauty of the Earth

We live in a world that is often filled with commotion, turmoil and noise.

Sometimes we need to unplug and get away from the distractions around us, allowing us to reflect on God’s love for us.

As I was thinking about this photograph that my wife took a few weeks ago, this song came to mind.  It had been awhile since I had last heard it, but I believe that the words capture this picture beautifully.

Have a great day! 🙂

For the Beauty of the Earth

‎Written by:  Folliott Sandford Pierpoint‎, 1864

Public Domain

For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth
over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour
of the day and of the night,
hill and vale, and tree and flower,
sun and moon, and stars of light;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of ear and eye,
for the heart and mind’s delight,
for the mystic harmony,
linking sense to sound and sight;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love,
brother, sister, parent, child,
friends on earth and friends above,
for all gentle thoughts and mild;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

For thy church, that evermore
lifteth holy hands above,
offering up on every shore
her pure sacrifice of love;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

For thyself, best Gift Divine,
to the world so freely given,
for that great, great love of thine,
peace on earth, and joy in heaven:
Lord of all, to thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.


(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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A Tranquil Delivery

We often find unexpected beauty along the paths that our lives take.  That was the case when I delivered lumber to a new house being built at the end of this lane.

When I reached the delivery address, I found a narrow lane disappearing into the woods.  The first few dozen feet of driveway had grass growing in the middle.

Seeing the condition of the driveway out at the road, and not knowing where it might lead, I was a little hesitant to turn in.  However, the thought of carrying lumber to an unknown location was not a very attractive idea, either!  So, I started back the drive – grimacing at the number of tree branches reaching out to scrape against my truck.

Soon, the grass-centered drive gave way to a nice, gravel path that skirted a small, quiet stream that wound its way through the woods.  The filtered sunlight coming through the trees made for a tranquil scene that reflected peace and solitude.  As I entered the clearing for the new home, it was easy to see why someone would want to build back there.

Thinking about that drive through the woods, our lives often take unexpected twists and turns that lead us off into the unknown.  There are plenty of distractions that vie for our attention as we go through life – some good, others bad.

The journey may leave us with questions and doubts – and perhaps more than a few scratches and bruises as we travel along that path.

Yet, there’s also beauty along the road that we travel.  The people and opportunities that you and I encounter may be seen as blessings in our lives.  Along the way, they may offer moments of rest, refreshment and encouragement on our journey through life.

Seeing this picture, I’m reminded of the Twenty-Third Psalm.  Even though there are times when we may walk through difficulties and troubles, there is One who wants to walk with us – if we allow Him to.

Every new day, and each trip, offers opportunities for us to experience beauty in life.  Sometimes we just need to slow down, turn off the road and allow the Creator to guide us along that peaceful, calm stream.

Have a great day!

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul.  He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake.  Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  –  Psalm 23:1-6 (NIV)

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Beauty of a Simple Faith

It looks as if these rows of corn shocks could go on forever.

For me, fall has always been one of my favorite times of the year. There’s a silent calming effect that I feel as I observe harvested fields, and seevlawns and gardens being tidied up before winter sets in.

As this picture shows, harvest is the culmination of a lot of hard work, sweat and likely, much prayer.

Farming and gardening require much doing on the part of the ones who tend the fields and gardens. Yet, they also insist on the farmer or gardener to have much faith – regardless of the yield.

Looking at these shocks a second time, it seems as if they reach into the heavens. They remind us of the One who continually blesses, loves and watches over us.

It’s in the simple beauty of nature, where our faith and hope are often greatly impacted.

Have a great day!

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Calves and a Milkman’s Lesson

On a recent delivery to a dairy farm, I noticed several calf hutches near the driveway. Several young Jersey calves were resting at these enclosures. While I loved seeing the young animals, it also brought back another memory a day later as I thought back to that stop.

Seeing those Jersey calves brought back memories of my Grandfather. He hauled milk for many years – until I was around six years old. Grandpa is where I got my love for trucking. (He may also be partially responsible for why Dad has worked at a cheese factory for more than forty-five years – and, they both played a part in why I love farms and rural life.)

Growing up, I loved trucks. It was always exciting to go to my grandparents’ place and climb into one of Grandpa’s truck cabs. All of those knobs and buttons were very tempting for little fingers!

But, there was more to Grandpa than just trucks. He loved people – his family, and the individuals that he met over the years. People are where these calves come in. I remember hearing how Grandpa used to enjoy talking to farmers as he picked up their milk. He also enjoyed sharing a funny joke or good story – and likely, many of those farmers looked forward to his arrival to add some color to their days.

As I’ve grown older, I still enjoy trucks. I don’t always find their cabs to be the fascinating playgrounds that I did as a child. Yet, like Grandpa, I’m finding that trucking allows me to have a unique way to enter other people’s lives.

I don’t have the ability to spend long periods of time getting to talk to my customers. Yet, I still enjoy those few moments of conversation that I often have with various people. It’s a privilege to get to enter into the lives of others – earning their trust as they tell me their stories. Those moments aren’t something that I take lightly – but, believe to be an opportunity that God blesses me with.

The Jersey calves reminded me of an important lesson that I learned from Grandpa many years ago – that we’re seldom too busy to give a listening ear to somebody else.

Have a great day!

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Experiencing God

We live in a world that is always in a hurry. In the process, we often lose focus on what really matters: God and people. As a result of this misguided view, the rest of our lives, work and many of our best intentions become mediocre.

What if we took the time to experience God and listen to others? Perhaps, if we order our lives in a slower more orderly way, you and I can then say that we have given our best.

(Photo Credit: My wife.)

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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Going for a Drive

Ever since I was old enough to remember, I’ve enjoyed going on drives. Each trip is a new adventure. You never know what will be seen on each outing.

I think that there’s something almost soothing about a small rural road. It is here, where I can often slow down as I get away from the hustle and competing noises of the world that we live in.

It’s out on these small roads where I enjoy a front row seat at watching the Creator’s hands at work. All of creation speaks of God’s wonderful love and affirms His goodness.

So, let me encourage you to take a drive on some small, rural road. Take your time, roll the windows down and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. You’ll be glad that you did!

Have a great day!

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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The Places I Go

You may have heard of the Dr. Seuss title, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go”. Perhaps, you have even read that story.

Different things, like this picture, remind us of people who we’ve met, experiences that have been had and places where you and I have gone.

Each of our journeys look different. Yet, the ebbs and flows of our lives help us to be unique – allowing God’s love to be shown in different ways.

It’s been said that our lives are a gift from God – what we do with our lives are our gift to God. Let the journey and the places that we go be a means to see and reflect the Father’s love.

Have a great day!

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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What Are We Spreading?

A manure spreader doesn’t make for a real appealing photo subject to most folks.  I realize this – even if it’s horse-drawn, and found on an Amish farm.

I lived in the country when I was growing up.  Whenever one of the neighbors was spreading manure on their fields, Mom would sometimes ask my sister and me if we could “smell that fresh country air”.  To a former farm girl, I suppose that she figured that there weren’t many things more “fresh” smelling than newly-spread manure.  Perhaps, that was one of the reasons why she didn’t mind not having to farm as an adult!

We realize that manure is a natural fertilizer.  It provides valuable nutrients for the soil.  In addition, for farmers with livestock, spreading it on fields is a cost-effective manner of removing the livestock-generated waste material.

There’s another aspect of manure that many probably overlook:  how corrosive it can be.  I saw this firsthand recently, when I saw a farmer pulling a liquid manure spreader.  A large portion of the tank’s top had rusted away – likely from years of hauling waste, exposing the inside of the spreader.

Images of farmers spreading manure provide us with a couple of powerful lessons.

As manure helps crops grow, our words and actions can also have a positive effect on others – helping to encourage them.

However, we must be cautious.  Our words can take root like a random kernel of grain or a weed seed that may be found in manure.  Whether intentional or not, just like a manure spreader throwing its contents over a field, what we say and do can be thrown around in such a way as to inflict pain on others.

A manure spreader is a powerful reminder that we must be careful with our words and actions.  We can spread something that encourages growth – or, that is corrosive.

Let’s be sure that what we say doesn’t hurt and poison others.  Rather, may our lives and actions be lived out in a way that will promote and nurture kindness and grace to all who we may encounter.

Have a great day!

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…”  –  1  Thessalonians 5:11a (NIV)

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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The Old Grain Drill

Growing up in a rural, farming community, I’ve always loved watching farmers work in their fields.  This is one of the reasons why I have always looked forward to spring and fall.  After all, what young boy wouldn’t be enthralled with large powerful trucks, tractors, combines and the host of other equipment used during planting and harvest?

Living in an area with a large Amish population, I also enjoyed watching as farmers used teams of draft horses to work their fields.  While I loved the sights and sounds of more modern farm equipment, there was also a sense of enjoyment watching a four or six-horse hitch of Belgians or Percherons working in a field.

With my love of farm equipment, it’s no wonder that I was fascinated by this old, horse-drawn grain drill.  It has covered many acres during its years of usefulness.  Even in retirement, it still serves as a planter – of a different type.

Seeing this drill is a great reminder that we plant into others’ lives.  Our words and actions often affect one another – even though we may not notice it at the time.

Looking at this picture, I’m reminded of all of those who enjoy watching farm equipment working cropland every spring.  In the same way, I hope that kindness, joy and grace will be crops that my life sows into the lives of others.

Have a great day!

(This was first published at theroadreport.wordpress.com.)

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