What do solid-black calves, small, knobby pears, and lifted hands in praise to God have in common?

Maybe we say, “Nada. Nothing. No Way.”  OR maybe we say,

“Something. Everything. Just Stand in Amazement & See.”

Let’s first look closely at the solid-black calves.

We live on a farm, and because we do, there is plenty of opportunity for animals to reside close by our home.  They are perfect God-made weed-eaters for our fence-lines.  In order to reach the sweet and tender grass found growing around the fence posts and inside our yard, these four calves must kneel down, stretch out their necks, and lean forward, reaching for that which they seek most of all.

How are we doing?

Are we down on our knees, stretching forward in our faith toward God, seeking Him, asking Him, petitioning for only what God can provide?  May we today lean with all our might toward the sweetest, most tender mercies of God, that which only God generously provides.

Then, there are those small, knobby pears.

We built our home nearly twenty years ago (or more accurately Daron built our home for us while my husband was deployed to Iraq). Since moving in, we have landscaped to improve the aesthetic value surrounding our home, one that includes pear trees.  Now along the driveway, we have flowering pear trees that provide little shade but great beauty in the springtime when they are in full bloom.  Then there is the single, somewhat crooked pear tree in the back yard near the garden.  Each spring, this tree also flowers with pretty blooms, but when we see those particular blooms, we look with anticipation toward the edible fruit this single tree will produce. Once springtime blooms move into late summer buds, leading toward summertime, the pears will hang full upon the tree.  We could pick and bite into those hard pears hanging there during the summertime heat, but they are not ready.  Truly, their sweet-tasting fruit does not come until autumn, until the harvest.

Let us now look at our praise.

When those pears ripen and become sweet, God releases them from the tree to fall onto the ground.  This is where the solid-black calves meet the small, knobby pears.  This little pear tree provides so many pears, too many for my husband and I to ever eat, so we share them with the calves.  When we walk toward the pear tree, the calves come running, for they know, for they remember how wonderfully sweet these pears can be. Despite the day, whether the day is sun-filled and bright OR whether the day is damp, cool, and gloomy….STILL, these calves expectantly watch & come running, for they remember the sweet goodness.

How are we doing?

When our Father provides His sweet goodness for our lives, giving to us ONLY what Almighty God can provide, do we come running, remembering how God cared for us in our past?  May we look only to our Father, hopeful that He will once again provide His sweet, Amazing Grace during ALL our moments, during ALL our days. May we continually recall how God always provides His harvest.

Let us see for ourselves.  We have been given so much!

Mandisa sings a beautiful melody titled “Breakthrough.”

Each week, those black calves see us walk toward that knobby pear tree, and as we share the abundance of pears with them, I truly believe they are the most joy-filled calves ever!  If calves knew how to smile, to twirl, to raise their hooves, and to dance—truly I think they would.

Yes, Silly as that picture seems, it is exactly how we God’s children should react when we see our Father move.

How are we doing?

When we see God move, may we—
Run toward Him.
Seek the sweet mercy only He can provide.
Reach with all our might toward Him.
Enjoy our daily time shared with Him as we are amazed.

Let us take in—His Amazing Grace—freely given to us.

All of this imagery began with God.
All of this imagery began with the study of the Bible. 
Do not believe me but believe God’s Word.

How are we doing?

Every day is a good day to offer praise to the King of Kings.
Every day is a good day to offer thanksgiving to our Savior and Redeemer. 
Every day is a good day to praise the LORD. 
Every day is a good day to say, “Thank You God, for—Everything.”

Today Is A Brand New Day.
LET US!
Let us—God’s children—twirl & dance & sing & lift our hands & give thanks, as we shout praises to God, O Most High!
Let us this morning & again tonight.

YES,  LET US !!!!!!!!!!!!

How Are—WE—Doing?