I update this post year by year as a chronicle of our family's growth and God's grace. This was our 16th year to make our annual pumpkin farm trek, and once again, it was different from all years before. The absence of one of us---our firstborn son away at college---was sorely and painfully obvious, yet remembering so many previous visits brought much joy to my heart as I considered God's indescribable blessings.
Our pumpkin farm trip was in jeopardy this year, as the late morning and early afternoon hours brought heavy rain. As the grey clouds lingered, I was pretty much resolved that our longstanding tradition would be shattered. I know, I know...that's a bit dramatic. At the very least, I feared our trek would be delayed. Even as we gathered at my parents' later in the afternoon, I bravely acknowledged that it just wasn't gonna happen this year. But as we continued to visit, I was blissfully aware of the sun that began shining in the window. Though the visiting continued, my heart continued to hope until finally I jumped up in excitement and directed my family's attention to the radiance outside. The sun was shining, and we simply couldn't miss our opportunity! We were pumpkin farm bound!
So for the first time ever, we experienced the corn maze following a heavy rain. Its paths were solid mud, and as we took our first few steps, I knew I'd made a big mistake in urging us all to go out there. We slipped and slopped our way through the maze, willing ourselves to remain upright. I just knew one of us was going to go down. But the good attitudes of my family prevailed, and rather than bemoaning the situation *I* had gotten us into, everyone laughed and reminded one another we were making crazy awesome memories. They didn't even hold it against me that their shoes were all but destroyed (ok, again a little dramatic).
God keeps reminding me of new delights and new mercies throughout these changing days. While life looks so much different from the first picture below (15 years ago), I'm basking in the joy of watching sons learning to follow Christ on their own and choosing to follow Him because they know He's everything. And that is the greatest joy of this new season.
***
Autumn bliss is steeped in memories and traditions. This is the pumpkin farm where our boys grew up. This is the pumpkin farm we'll visit this weekend and remember the little guys who once excitedly fed the goats; the guys who eagerly pulled around little red wagons filled with a few mini pumpkins and gourds. Now these guys are not so little. Our visit isn't so much about the animals. Or the pumpkins. Or even the corn maze. It's about nostalgia. Security. Creating new memories. It's about looking back and seeing how God has been faithful through these years. And it's about giving thanks for all that He's doing in the here and now.
"I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of Your righteousness, Yours alone. O God, from my youth You have taught me,and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs,O God, do not forsake me,until I proclaim your might to another generation, Your power to all those who come. Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things,O God, who is like You?" Psalm 71:14-19
0 comments:
Post a Comment