Things we can not control

Last year there was hemp grown for seed in the field adjacent to our land.  The hemp fibre was not harvested and did a fantastic job as a snow fence all winter, helping to keep our road from getting blown in beyond hope.

The only way to redeem the field for planting is to burn away all that remains.  The farmer began the burning late yesterday afternoon, stopping before dark only to begin again today.

I watched the flames.  I watched the swirling smoke, all at once both awed and frightened.

Fire has power.  Fire has strength.  Fire has force we can not control.

The farmer checks the wind speed and direction, seeking the safest conditions.  Still...

Wind has power.  Wind has strength.  Wind has force we can not control.

Yet perhaps my post title things we can not control  is misleading.  For us mere mortals, control is an illusion.  Only illusion.

Not only can we not control the elements, we can not even control our desire to control.

My hands are empty, palms upturned,  all that I am, and all I can do, is in Him.

I surrender.

I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. John 15:5 The Message


walking with Emily and the broken redeemed

 

Learning to live...

Learn to live in the uncertainty

these words from my Lord resound

in shouts, roars, whispers....

because He knows me

the one who used to think she likes surprises

yet clings fast to illusions of control

day after day after day

I wrestle, trying to hold

what cannot rest in my hand

here again I stand, here again I fall

here again I surrender

to thoughts and ways higher

to the One Who brushes each stroke of paint

on this picture that is my life

I don't think the way you think. The way you work isn't the way I work. God's Decree. For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think. 
Isaiah 55:8-9 The Message

Joining Jennifer as Godbumps rise up afresh in my spirit...

 

Missing here....

Oh how I miss this white space here
the freedom to release whatever tumbles in my brain
or rests heavy in my heart

Tornado winds knocked out our power Tuesday night and restoration has not yet come
I plug in cell phone and laptop to recharge when I am able to go to town and find a place to plug in.
Today I find peace and hi-speed wireless in the coffee room of a friend's business and a bathroom with a flushing toilet!

Those of you familiar with country living will surely understand that no electricity also means no water as the pumps shut off.

One end of a downed power line started a fire in the back field Wednesday afternoon.  Good and watchful neighbors noticed the smoke and called Rick home from work.  Volunteer fire department contained things quickly.  Power to that line was shut off and we were placed on the emergency list for service work.

Yesterday afternoon, for reasons unknown, the power to that line was switched on again, and once more the field caught fire.  Same neighbor phoned, same fire workers returned, and this time two old graineries burned along with more hay, almost to a tree line.  Scary, scary stuff, but nothing of value hurt except my nerves.

I am reminded again and yet again that surely God is in control for we certainly are not.

Manitoba Hydro is busy working removing trees so they can replace power lines.  Perhaps as they said, service will be restored tonight, not quite trusting that yet.

Pictures will follow when I'm able.  Maybe after a nice hot shower......