Tag Archive for: Stories

Counting Blessings (and Turkeys)

It has often been said that if one can’t fall asleep, then they should count sheep.  When I was growing up, my Mom put a little twist on that.  She told my sister and me to count our blessings if we couldn’t sleep.

A few weeks ago, I drove by a farm with this large flock of turkeys.  I’m sure that this pasture is now empty.  Those birds have gone from feeding on grass, to being the main feature of many Thanksgiving Day meals.

While I don’t know how many turkeys were in that pasture, it reminds me of sheep.

There’s no doubt that this year has been challenging for many people.  Yet, even in the midst of struggle, there’s often a glimmer of hope – something to give thanks for.  What if we thought of each of these birds representing a blessing that we have been given.

As we begin this holiday season, I hope that you’ll join me in counting our blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving!  🙂

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”  –  Psalm 118:1 (NIV)

(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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Built to Withstand the Weather

Many people love covered bridges. They stir nostalgia – allowing memories of another time to come to mind.

As part of their charm, these structures often draw much speculation to why they were built. It seems, thanks Hollywood, chivalry and courting come to mind for many.

However, the real reason for covered bridges was more utilitarian. They were originally built to protect the structure from the weather.

While maybe not as inspiring as a love story written for the big screen, there’s something just as noble and powerful to the reason behind covered bridges.

We often look at the outward appearances of people and things. Yet, we don’t look at their inner beings – who or what they really are. While an appearance may make for an attractive picture, the inside “guts” reveal the real structural integrity of a person or thing. It also makes us ask if the bridge (or person) is built to withstand life’s storms – and are they who they were created to be?

Covered bridges offer a unique, attractive perspective of a previous era. Yet, they also offer a great reminder that we must always look at what’s inside to make sure that it matches what is on the outside.

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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Simpler Times

Stone fences are often associated with the New England states and rural Europe. Across much of the Midwest, where I’m from, fences made from boards or barbed wire are more common.

Likewise, covered bridges are often considered to be a thing of the past. While they can still be occasionally found, most of these structures are either restored or built to look old.

This picturesque Midwestern farm drive offers a glimpse into another time. With a covered bridge, and a stone fence lining part of its length, one feels like they’re traveling down “Memory Lane”.

Looking at this scene, it calls back to a time that seems simpler. Small farms, families working together, neighbors helping each other and communities coming together to worship are hallmarks of that era.

Today, we are often stressed out in our hustle and bustle. We lose more than we gain, as we miss out on time with God, family and friends.

This picture is a great reminder to slow down and enjoy the moment. Let’s make sure that we’re investing our time in the people who truly matter in our lives.

Have a great day!😀

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

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A Story of Love and Faith

It may look like another small country church. Yet, it’s part of my family’s story.

Today is Dad and Mom’s anniversary. This is where they exchanged their wedding vows before God, family and friends many years ago.

Having moved away long ago, our family hasn’t attended here since I was a young boy. Today, we only make it back for an occasional visit to the neighboring cemetery.

This picture reminds me of the importance of God in my parents’ lives. Commitment, love, faithfulness and grace are some of the many lessons that they are still passing on through their example.

We live in a world that is filled with many distractions. Yet, this old church reminds me of lessons taught by Dad and Mom: to remain committed to God and our families.

Have a great day!😀

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV)

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

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Unity Bales

I made a delivery to a local farm when I saw these hay bales in red, white and blue netting. While I’m used to brown and green twine, this was new to me!

Baling gives farmers an efficient way to store and handle hay. However, when you cut bales loose, it can make a great mess – allowing stalks, leaves and dust to freely go in every direction.

When I saw these bales, I saw the colors that are incorporated into America’s flag. Like loose hay, each person is a different, unique individual. Yet, joined together, each man, woman and child allows their various gifts and personalities to come together for a common good.

This idea of national unity isn’t new to the United States. It’s been practiced by many nations throughout history. In fact, this principle has Biblical roots.

We live in a day when many people want to separate and pull us apart like loose hay. It’s only when you and I join together that we become better at handling the challenges that lie before us.

Have a great day!😀

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

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Looking Down Your Nose

I was driving down a steep driveway from a delivery when I saw a red barn across the valley in front of me. By road, the old structure was probably more than a mile away. Yet, in a sea of green, it stood out.

From my vantage point in the truck cab, the barn looked closer than it appeared. It definitely made for a unique picture! But, since I was on a steep grade, I didn’t really want to stop there and climb out of the truck for even a few seconds. So, I opted for a photo from behind the steering wheel.

As I was thinking about that view later, I was reminded of how I had looked down my nose – or, rather the truck’s nose to get that shot.

We live in a world where people are often comparing themselves with others. In fact, that’s been the case since Adam and Eve were here with their first two sons, Cain and Abel.

There are so many things that vie to separate us. Yet, God created each of us as equal beings with specific gifts and abilities to meet our individual personalities. The fact that each person is born and will die should be enough to make us acutely aware of our need for a Savior, and keep us humble in our dealings with others.

We really don’t have any reason to compare ourselves with others. This instance, where I looked down and over the nose of my Peterbilt, allowed me to have a unique perspective of the countryside – and of life.

Have a great day!😀

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

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Between the Ditches

You have probably heard someone say “to keep it between the ditches”… or, between the lines. Perhaps, you’ve told someone that, as well.

On many small, rural roads like the one in the picture, it may be hard to always stay inside the lines. This is especially true if you’re driving a large truck or piece of farm equipment. But, keep between the ditches… definitely!

As I look at this picture, I’m reminded of something that I used to hear my Grandfather say. Grandpa said that he paid for both sides of the road – so, he was going to use them. Of course, Grandpa said it in good humor. Driving truck for sixty years, he definitely spent plenty of time driving country roads.

Seriously though, we can learn from narrow roadways.

Lines provide a path to help us move forward. They won’t stop us when we cross over them.

Ditches, however, carry the possibility to stop us. If you have ever slid into a ditch then you understand this truth.

We face many challenges going through life. Each of us have “lines” that help to guide us. Sometimes we stay safely on the road – while we crash at other times.

The Bible talks about how the narrow road leads to eternal life, while the wide road leads to destruction and separation from God. We see evidence of this often in the choices that we make.

Let’s keep it between the lines and ditches – arriving safely at our destination. We don’t want to crash off course and hurt ourselves and others!

Have a great day! 😀

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

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The Tranquility of an Old Dirt Road

A few miles from here, sits a farm that my wife and I like to drive by.  The house, barn and outbuildings are separated from the gravel road by a pasture with a small creek winding through it.  With some beef cattle or sheep often grazing there, it’s a tranquil setting where we often appreciate slowing down to enjoy the view.

When I see this farm, I’m reminded of a feature in a rural magazine that I used to receive that was called “The Prettiest Place in the Country”.

This farm, I’m sure, would be a contender for that article.  Its owners have spent countless hours transforming a small farmstead into a beautiful oasis.

Each season finds the house and landscape decorated for that particular time of the year.  Beautiful flowers and landscaping highlight the fences and house during the spring and summer.  In the fall, with the colors of the surrounding trees and green of the nearby hills, the white painted farmhouse and springhouse, along with the red barn and outbuildings stand out as they add to the muted colors of autumn.

We live in a world where the ability to multi-task is often seen as something that’s considered to be virtue-like.  But, were we really created to always run at whirlwind speed?  I seriously doubt it.

In a world that seems to be increasingly marked by hustle and bustle, we need to find time to unwind – perhaps, more often than we think.  Old dirt roads, sheltered by shade trees and winding past quiet meadows and beautiful farms, are among those places that I find restful – perhaps, almost therapeutic.

Slowing down and enjoying the scenery allows us opportunities to allow our minds to wander.  A drive in the country may allow us some much-needed peaceful, restful time away with family or friends.  It’s also in these moments that we are able to enjoy the beauty of creation – and have time to enjoy fellowship with our Creator, which is the primary reason why we’ve been placed here.

Reflecting on this farm and the little roads that lead to it, I’m reminded that life isn’t just about successes or reaching milestones and destinations.  Sometimes, the real joy and success is found in the journey.

Although we can’t slow down the world around us, you and I have the ability to alter the speed of our own lives.  Let’s make the most of this time that we’ve got – and enjoy the journey.

Have a great day! 🙂

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.”  –  Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

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

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An Old Barn Under a Summer Sky

I found this barn on a small dead-end road. While the structure is still in use, the paint and roof show signs that it has seen better days.

As I took the picture, I noticed how the summer sky illuminated the old building. It brought a new dimension to the scene – bringing a sense of life to the old barn.

One could almost imagine hay being brought in from the fields. Perhaps, laughter can be heard from children playing in the hay. Or, a young calf or colt is taking its first steps in the lower level.

Buildings are like people. While we often look at the outer appearance, there’s so much beauty and life laying beneath the surface. This barn, on that beautiful summer day is evidence to this.

Have a great day! 😀

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

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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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