Here is one of papa's cherished moments - this is a picture of Deb (GodsGal) & I with Deb's tractor. Deb had drove the tractor from her place to Butte Creek Mill for a day festival to put it on display. The tractor is old, over 60 years, maybe even older than papa. It may not be as functional as the new ones, but in its day was very functional and even now has a purpose. If you look closely you can see a trailer behind the tractor - it pulled a load with no difficulty.
Regardless of our age, and the events of our lives, God has a purpose for us being here. Papa is not as strong as he use to be - I have trouble now doing things with this old body that I could do 40 years ago. But my mind is clear (okay, some of you may question that! Be kind!) and I try to be a Barnabas (encourager). As you read this post, regardless of your age, health, skills - always be an encourager. My mom would say; "If you can't say what you want with kindness, don't say it." Thanks mom for being an encourager - always. Papa needs to work on that too! I am trying to pull my load - I just read this to mama - now I am weeping - must be I am getting older than I think. We love you all - please pray for us.
35 comments:
Those "old" tractors are the best. They just keep plugging away with minmal repairs. Those "new" models just get to fancy and require too much babying! ;o)
Thanks, Papa, for this encouraging post. Do you have stock in Kleenex? (or Kleenex in stock? grin)
Crossview - I am not definitely one of the newer models - but I still like to be babied! heh heh! My body could use some "minimal repairs" as well! LOL
Hi Carol - no stock in Kleenex - just stock up at Grandma's Cupboard !! We have them throughout the house - ha!
Papa, that was such a fun day full of memories!!! Nothing like the ol' B-blessed!
Love you both! ;-)
Deb - What made the day, was the tractor, the old engine, the mill - but mostly the people - You, Jer, Mama and God's presence in all our lives! Miss you - and love you!
Hey Papa, thanks for your sweet messages on my blog this morning.
I learned how to drive on an old tractor like that when I was about 11. I grew up on a farm and had to drive the tractor for my dad during the hay season because I was too little to lift the bails. It sure came in handy when I started to drive a car and my parents said I had to learn to drive a stick before they'd let me get my license.
Have a wonderful day!
Beth
PS, my son, Nicholas, in the Roxx picture at the airport has mentioned several times how kind you and mama seemed to be. He's a pretty tender heart and I thought that was so sweet.
Beth - I grew up on a farm as well - great life!! I drove tractor many hours! Thanks for the very kind words! Mama and I fool most people! LOL
Papa,
I love that old tractor. I love that it is steady, reliable, faithful. Just like you. Our bodies might age (I am starting to learn about these things Papa - it is weird not being able to call myself a 20 or 30 something, and watch them run circles around me), but it is fully functioning just like you are. You are strong and steady, and most importantly wise. Which is something I strive for. While the 20 and 30 somethings are running circles around me, I would not trade being here in this moment for anything. While it may take me longer, ok forever :0), to understand electronic gagetries that seem to come so quickly with youth, I am starting to understand the miracles of the little things and the mundane. Today when I was dropping my boys off at their bus stop I watched them engage in conversation with their friends, only noticing the social aspect the few minutes at the stop offered (which is fine and developmentally appropriate)... but, as I turned my car around I say the sun shine on the mountains. As silly as it sounds I felt God did that just for me (ok, now I am crying). My prayer as I was driving off was that my children see His creation in EVERYTHING. And realize NOTHING is without HIM. See, this is what you give me. This is why your young in heart, wise in mind is so much more important that anything youth can offer. So I say more power to the "old" tractor. They are so much better than new!!!!
I LOVE YOU!!!
Roxx
Papa,
Tell me about Barnabus... I need to do a study on Him becuase I like what you said about him... can you get me started (eg: book in the Bible, or did you read a reference book on him, both?)? I want to be an encourager too.
xoxox,
Roxx
Don't do that Roxx! You made this "old tractor" sputter and cry! When Deb drove the old tractor down to the mill mama and papa followed her in a car w/lights flashing. We prayed for Deb and I wept some as my "daughter" drove that old antique - one more time - to still serve a purpose. May God keep driving this "old tractor" Roxx - just one more time.
I sent you some info on Barnabas via email. Let me know if that helps.
Oh thank you Papa for sending me the informaion. I hopped on real fast between comings and goings. I am going to study what you shared when I can sit with a cup of tea and soak it in. I am looking forward to following through with your suggestions. Thanks again for sharing. Also, I just wanted to let you know I have not forgotten about FL. When the time gets closer we will for certain figure out a way to meet - I will consult the troops on this side of things and see if they want to partipate depending on what's going on with them, but I want to at least meet half way for lunch. I am trusting the Lord to go before us and sort the details. I will just cry if I can't see my mama and papa!!! Looking forward to it - it will be great!
xoxox,
Roxx
Roxx - if we can't connect in Florida - mama and papa will be disappointed! It is nice to have "encourager's" as friends - you are both to mama and papa.
AWWW..... that totally made me "weepy" too.... :)
Deb - papa does the weepy thing a lot. I have not always had a tender heart like I should, but Jesus has fixed that!
yes. it is amazing what an unkind, abrasive and harsh word can do to someones spirit. great words to live by. if only we would.
deb took me around on one of there tractors this summer and she freaked me out. took me all over bumpy places. i was standing on some cross bars behind her and my tummy kept bumping into the back of her seat. the next day i had bruises all over my stomach. but it was worth it. great memory! good fun!
Tam - being an encourager is something we can all do - and should do. I want people to see me as approachable - someone who will listen and encourage.
I watched as Deb drove the old tractor "B - Blessed" - thats her name for it, she did good. Jer asked me if I wanted to drive - I was just a little too nervous - it's been at least 50 years since I drove a John Deere B.
Thanks for all you do - the love and encouragement that you so freely share!
Yes, indeed, Papa!
The world takes pleasure in showing us we are nothing compared to the strong forces around us, and the devil enjoys pointing our every mistake. It takes a good heart to look at other people and, instead of pulling them down, encourage them to keep trying.
Life is tough as it is. But it can be so much easier with the encouraging words of a friend, and the soft whispers of a loved one.
Thank you for sharing this. I like the pic of the old tractor. :-) It reminds me of home.
PS: Don't worry about getting older. Antiques become more valuable as they age. :-) — Smile. Peace. ;-)
"But my mind is clear..."
I am being kind when I say that this still amsues me. =P
Hey Papa!! loving you and missing you!! and glad that you wore a jacket today its cold!! when is Florida planned..or when do you fly south for the winter? just asking...
love me, Darla
As an old tractor myself, even a little older than you, I may not think as fast as I use to but I do think a lot smarter. Some brain cells do die off but we learn how to make better use of what we have.
With age comes wisdom, some very bright person said, I just wish I hadn't taken me this long to get smart.
As far as weeping goes that just proves how young your heart is.
Great post as usual Papa.
Robin - you are one of God's dear children and I hope I can be an encourager.
Crossview - now be nice - LOL - The mind is clear - in fact mine is so clear - there is nothing there!
Darla - we leave November 29th - right after morning worship. Be back April 22nd. Papa loves you too!
Brainteaser - papa wants to challenge you to be an encourager -when you start to say something that may be taken wrong or hurt - backup - you can start over - and say I am sorry.
Ed - I am not sure you are an old tractor - didn't they have horses and mules before tractors ?? LOL maybe you and I go back that far!
Ed - the more I age the more I tend to think before I speak - the problem is, there are a lot of younger folks than us that should be doing the same. Thanks, I enjoy your posts as well!
ROFL! I AM being nice!
I'm enjoying the fact that you're older than I am!
See?
Fellowship!
=P
And please don't take out Precious's guts! =(
Back away from Precious!
Crossview - this blog post is about "encouraging!" lol don't remind me I am getting old!
Oops! My bad! =P
Let me encourage you to revel in the fact that you are younger than...
other people.
And things.
Ok. Seriously. You're young at heart and there's a lot of young folks who aren't. The age of that heart is what really counts! You, Sir, are ageless!
Crossview - you are forgiven! That was Encouragement with a capital "E"!! I sure luv you!!
Please come visit my blog. I have named you one of my Honest Blogs!
xoxox,
Roxx
Roxx - yu are a stinker! I will probably do a shorter version of it - maybe in a comment on your blog - will think about it! LOL You are really to kind to papa, a stinker, but kind!
I loved this post! This week has shown me that I'm not as young as I once once and seeing that tractor made me think of the sturdy and tried and true outlast a flash in the pan. I thank the Lord that He has given me so many sweet Christian friends that are encouraging and uplifting. When we get out in the world our light has to shine and I think we have to pull our light from under the bushel and shine for Jesus..no matter what our age. He could still have tons of stuff for Papa and Mama and Nana to do before we come see Him. I want to be ready and thank you for lifting us up in prayer and bringing attention to so many great analogies that help us see how precious God and His children are. I can't wait to see you guys in person! Hooray. Just over a month :)
Nana - not as young as I use to be either - but hopefully a little wiser than I was 40 years ago! lol
I'm ready for my next assignment Papa. Looking forward to your thoughts:
http://roxannekristina.blogspot.com/2008/10/papa-thank-you-for-getting-me-started.html
xoxo,
Roxx
Roxx - I have one for you and as soon as I find the scripture for you I will email you -
Love you!
Papa xoxoxo
OK Papa. Sounds great. I just added a video to the Barabas post as a gesture of thanks to you.
xoxo,
R
Roxx - Papa wept as he listened to the song - that was very nice. Thank you! If we all adored our Savior like that - what a different world it would be!
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