Peace and Purpose

After the storms have passed

There is peace.

After the storms have passed

There is rest.

Sometimes

It is best

To sit

And contemplate

The peace

Rather than to 

Rush headlong

Down the same

Worn paths.

In the peace after the storm

Seek purpose.

In the peace after the storm

Seek meaning.

Then

You can best

Determine

The path

Forward

To the next

Adventure

Awaiting

Just ahead.

Thankful for Opportunities

I realize that it's a few days early, but it seems a good time to think about Thanksgiving.  Actually, every day should be one of thanks, but what I plan to do is to have a week of Thanksgiving.  On each day this week I intend to write of something for which I am thankful.  I would encourage any of you who read this to do the same.

I will begin with being thankful for opportunities.  We don't all have the same abilities, or talents, but we are all given opportunities to use the ones that we have.  It seems the more times I step forward and accept an opportunity, the more of them come my way -- and the more rewarding they become.

Through the years I have had numerous opportunities to do things that have made a positive difference for others.  Some have been small and some much larger (at least to me).  They seemed to increase in frequency the more that I stepped out in faith and accepted them when presented.  They also came after prayer.

Sometimes I think we fear opportunities because they usually come with risk.  One risk is that of failure.  Another is that they take us out of our comfort zone.  That's where faith comes in.  God gives us opportunities in order to help us to grow.  Until we attempt what we have never done, we don't know that we can do it.  If it is something you are comfortable with doing, it really isn't an opportunity.  Real opportunities stretch us beyond our comfort zone into a place where we must trust that God will provide what is necessary to get us through.

My prayer is that God will continue to bring opportunities my way and that I will have the faith to accept them when they come.  I pray the same for you.  I am thankful that God cares enough about me to provide opportunities for my growth.

"...I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you." -- Matthew 17:20

Cows for Sale

When you look across the pasture at a bunch of cattle and then do a double-take because you weren't sure at a glance whether that white one was a calf or one of the bulls, you know it's time to do some shipping.  It is nice to see the big old calves this year.  The one in the photo is in the second weaning group; the first group went to town last month.

The other thing I notice in this photo is the grass.  We are going into the Fall with more grass than we ever had at this time of year.  It has been a good year for growing forage.  Yes, there are a few weeds scattered out there, but not too bad.  If your pasture looks like your lawn you are probably spending too much money on herbicides.  This meadow has had no herbicide applied since we've owned this place.  It also has not been fertilized.  I don't believe it has suffered from lack of either.

This is a bittersweet time for us.  We are selling out.  We are supposed to close next week on the sale of the land.  We have a little time after that in which to disperse equipment and cattle.  If you have any interest in the cows, they are looking for a good home.  The list of equipment is fairly short and I would be happy to provide it to anyone interested.

It's likely this post will prompt a lot of questions among friends and acquaintances.  There is nothing going on except opportunity to pursue new things.  The land and cattle are a joy, but take a lot of time.  We found someone who fell in love with the land much as we did and we came to a mutually satisfactory agreement.

We may buy another place in the country at some point in the future, but for now we are selling out.  Again, we have put together some top genetics in our cows and would love to see them go to a good home that will appreciate their quality.  If you are interested, please contact me.  A Direct Message through Facebook or, Twitter would probably be the best method or, comment on the Blog with your e-mail if you don't already have my number or e-mail.

That Tiny, Narrow Line

Though the path is clearly shown,

Fear,

The Great Paralyzer,

Sends trembling through our soul

And we turn our back

To the promised land,

Complaining

That those who have entered in

Did so

By means unworthy,

And we sit with those who with us

Turned

From Opportunity

Which like a shining light is ever there,

To point the blame

To others fault,

Bemoaning

Their achievement as we sit

In judgement

Of what they have done.

Opportunity is something that is ever before us.  The trouble with opportunity is that it often requires us to take chances -- to get so completely out of our comfort zone that we turn away in fear that we will fail.  So many times I have been in groups that talk badly about those whose achievements are clearly a result of their willingness to take the risk and go for the prize waiting ahead.  They have a  tendency to blame anyone but themselves and face their unwillingness to accept the risk and "go for it."  That's when I move on.  I want to spend time with those who have taken a chance and now live their dreams.  Often I find that the difference between the successful and the "complainer" is that tiny, narrow line which one stepped over and from which the other turned in fear.

A Day of Opportunity

Opportunity waits with each new day

If we but ope' our eyes

It sometimes comes with clarity

At others in disguise

The world would steal our hopes and dreams

And tell us it's not real

It comes at us in jealousy

Our happiness to steal

Sometimes we have to seize the day

And make what comes be ours

Subduing all that seek to sway

Sent by unearthly powers

Focus on the distant goal

Though all else is at odd

And capture opportunity

Placed there for us by God