When we started this endeavor we believed the God was working in our lives and calling us to farm country as part of His sanctification process. We have been striving to dedicate our lives to Him and His glory for years now, but still found us being pulled by the ways of the world day after day. There is something about farming that can draw you closer to God for there are so many variables at play-it is impossible to be fully in charge and master of your own destiny. We (Alison and Thom) wanted to find a way to show our children how God works in our lives by humbling ourselves and relying more on His provisions day after day. Thus far this experience has taken us far beyond what we would have ever imagined and in doing so we have seen God working in our lives in ways were not able to see before.
We have seen God working in many ways. Bringing us here and providing for our needs each day we see how gracious He is and how active He is in our lives. There is no way we could do this without Him and His providing and directing our every need. Putting ourselves out there and in positions completely foreign to us shows us how He provides and is with us every step of the way.
This came clear to Thom the other evening when we were milking the cows as a family by ourselves. This was the moment we were waiting for-but hoping would not come for some time. It was the occasion of Harrison’s Birthday (the Alexander’s now 10 year old son). They took him out to celebrate as a family knowing we would be at the farm that evening to help out with the milking. When they discovered the restaurant they wanted to take him to lunch did not open until 4pm (and milking starts at 4:30pm) they called and asked if we could get started without them. This was around 1pm that day. Wanting to help out we agreed we could do it ourselves.
When we arrived at the farm it was noticeably quiet. There were no Alexanders running about working in their usual routine. We prepped the milking room and went out in the field to release the girls (that is what we call the cows) and bring them in to milk. When we arrived at the paddock (where they were grazing) they looked up at us with a hint of confusion (Thom took the lead and they have been getting used to him being around) and stayed where they were and did not move. Thom (brave as he is becoming) walked closer to the cows and persuaded one cow to lead the charge to the milking barn. It was an interesting site to see the cows respond one by one to the call and follow up the long path to the barn. Alison and the kids ran ahead to open the barn door and ready for the cows arrival.
There is an old saying (from what we have heard) in show business that you should never work with kids or animals because they are unpredictable. We have learned this well with the cows. It is intimating enough for us to be so close (around and under) these large animals while they are locked in to their stall at milking time. It is more intimidating when they come into the barn together and search for the perfect stall to settle in to be milked. No two days are alike and you must always be on your toes. At this time we send TJ and Margaret Rose out of the Barn so they do not get into the way.
Once we locked the cows in (and counted to make sure all were there) we started the milking process as a family. Thom and TJ were in charge of the milking room while Alison and Rose worked in the clean room (where they bottled the milk). TJ was most helpful for he kept us on track-remembering the names of the cows (they still all look alike to us) and which order they needed to be milked. He also did a great job remember which stage each cow was in (which were milked, which were prepped to be milked and which were finished milking and prepped to leave). It was a blessing for Thom because he has so many other variables to watch out for it kept him straight. Rose helped Alison in the clean room be keeping her straight as to which cow’s milk she was straining and how much each cow produced to record in the book. It was a team effort.
In the midst of this process while Thom was stooping under a cow preparing her teats for milking it hit him all at once-the idea of the Fear of the Lord. We have been studying proverbs lately as a family and this is a familiar theme. Thom knew all too well that God was in charge of this milking process and the results would ultimately be up to Him. Thom also realized that we were doing this for the Lord for it was He who put us there and it is He whom we serve. It was up to us as a family to work together toward the common cause and completing the task. That is what we were called to do. Success or failure was ultimately up to God for either way he would use this to His glory. It was a humbling experience.
There are probably a million cows milked by a million people everyday (of course we are guestimating-don’t quote us on this). We have watched the Alexander boys milk these cows many times (and used to watch Ms. Kitty milk at Hedgebrook farm many more times). For those who grew up around cows or those who are charged with this task twice a day everyday this is no big deal. For a family who not too long ago only watched this process from a distance it is still a daunting task. The cows do not always stand still and cooperate in this process and there are more variables then one can control. Only God can truly manage this process and we can complete the task through him who strengthens us.
In the end this was a successful experience. Not because we milked every cow without issue (there were many issues that came up along the way-some glaring ones which showed us how selfish we can be). It was successful for we came together as a family and worked toward the goal God set before us. We are learning quickly to die to our individual needs (the kids did well hanging in when the Alexanders came home and Harrison wanted to show TJ the new basketball he got as a present-TJ waited until he was done with the cows to check it out) and work toward His needs. We can only do this through God’s grace for left to our own we are dead in our trespasses and sins.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10
This is why we are here-we are striving to be doers of the Word and not hearers only (James 1:22). We face our inadequacies daily which is a humbling experience. We put ourselves in these situations not because we are Godly, but because God has convicted us of our sins and we are getting a glimpse of who we truly are. We decided to let God be in charge. It is through His grace that we learn daily to seek Him first in all we do-a lesson we have not yet perfected.
To God go the glory!
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