July 1, 2026 11:45 PM
It is nearing midnight. I just came in from raking some forage oats that we cut this morning. Earlier we had a great supper of burgers cooked up just right on the grill. Caleb does a fine job over the coals on his grill. Rachel made pasta salad and Robin prepared corn on the cob. It was to be a special evening as it was our final supper with Tomi, our guest for the last month, from Hungary. We had rood beer floats for dessert. This was a special treat, since root beer is hard to find Hungary and yes Tomi really likes root beer.
As if found myself going back and forth in the Northfield, I found myself reflecting about so many things. Yes, this is our week break from camp which allows us to catch up on some ranch chores. My evening was going well and around 10:15 PM, it even got better. My phone rang. I still have a flip phone that I carry only when I need too. Julia was calling. After I said my greetings, she simply said, “Do you see the moon?” I had and I replied as such. She told me how she had seen it over the horizon as she went out a few minutes earlier to lock the chickens in the coop for their safety. She reflected upon the amazing sight that we were now both gazing upon even though I was in the field, two miles away. The moon was nearly blood red. The color was intensified from the smoke and haze from fires in Colorado and Utah. Julia and I talked for another minute or so about the beauty of the evening and then she said, “Good nite… I love you… see you in the morning”
My thoughts continued as I maneuvered the John Deere tractor in the field. I could not help but be impressed with the blessed amazement of what had transpired through the evening. Since so much is being said and done with activities of the 250th birthday of the US of A and all the hoopla that comes with the celebration, I was taken back to the simplicity and to some a "mundane" evening. My day and evening would certainly not be defined as monumental… but that is where many will miss the point of my recollection. Most would not consider the importance of the little things that have impacted myself and my family. The celebrations will end but the day to day life of family must continue. The root beer floats.... the round and round of agriculture and stewardship.... praying together around the table.... the "I love you's" while observing God's creation... the constant of genuine fellowship with the Almighty... and the humility that comes with these experiences that should bring us into the proper perspective on life.
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For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. James 4:14
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"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind." — Ecclesiastes 12:13
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"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these." — Mark 12:30-31
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"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." — Micah 6:8
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Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." — John 17:3
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