And if you will indeed obey my commandments that I command you today, to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, he will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the later rain, that you may gather in your grain and your wine and your oil. And he will give grass in your fields for your livestock, and you shall eat and be full.
Deuteronomy 11:13-15
When my wife Catherine and I made the decision to leave D.C., take our four teenagers, and move to a working farm in Vermont, we believed that God wanted us to go. We believed there was a mission for us here in the green hills of the greenest state.
Our new home, Hollister Hill Farm, has long held a special place in the community and with visitors to the B&B. It’s regarded as a kind of magical Eden where the harmony of animals and earth is a balm to the soul, especially those buffeted by city living. We felt it the first time we visited in 2008 and we still feel it now.
How, though, do we commute this to a mission to share God’s love and peace with people who don’t know Him? The potential is there, but the method is, so far, elusive.
We have tried to be honest and fair in our dealings with all people, to treat all (even the sketchiest of folks) with respect and love, to avoid gossip and controversy, and to share our good fortune in owning so beautiful a place. But is it enough? What about conversions? How will we change lives?
I’m sure it will take time. We’re only just getting our feet under us and learning the difference between a sow and a gilt; between tedding and raking hay. There’s a lot to learn.
It’s often tough, but it’s rewarding to labor with your hands and mind. We’re making a huge investment of time, effort and money. Small-scale farming doesn’t pay. At all. The B&B helps, but we didn’t come here just to farm and inn-keep. We’re hoping to make a difference in people’s lives.
Maybe fair dealing, lack of prejudice and being nice is enough. But lots of folks are decent and have no religious faith. Sometimes it’s hard for us to see where it’s all going. The promises in the passage above help, but they also compel us to love and serve God with our entire being. I’m not there yet. It could be that there’s a lot of work left to be done on me before I can help others. What a terrifying thought.
We made the big step of changing where and how we live. But can we – can I – make the huge leap to absolutely abandon self to serve God, as He promises to take care of us? Oh, boy, that’s a tough one.
God bless you!
Neil
