Storm Clouds and Growing Lists
Monday morning began under storm clouds, with rain expected later that afternoon and a very long to do list already waiting. This was the week of Grandpa's surprise birthday party, and there were chairs to clean, mowing to do, and plenty of grass that had gotten ahead of us.
The list seemed to grow every time Mama crossed something off. But first, there were chickens to tend. After making her morning rounds, she checked on Bootsy and was thankful to see she was improving, even though she still needed to stay separated while she healed.
Then Mama noticed the grass near Abby and Jacob’s house desperately needed cutting. One section turned into another, then another. Before she knew it, she had mowed the entire property. "So much for mowing just one little area," she laughed to herself. Even with the mowing done, the feed cans still needed filling and the garden needed attention. The list felt a little overwhelming.
Help Sent at the Perfect Time
Mama was just getting ready to send Joey a text message and ask if he might have time to help. That was when she noticed she already had a message from him. Joey had texted earlier, asking, "Do you need any help today?" 📞
Mama smiled, knowing God had already put it on Joey's heart to ask before she even reached out. It was a gentle reminder that God is often already working before we even realize we need help. Before long, Joey arrived ready to work. It is such a blessing to have friends who step in right when you need them most. We are so grateful for our community here at Faithful Flock Farm.
While Joey worked, Mama thought about her family. Grandpa had spent the day helping Uncle Bernard look for a new vehicle. They spent the day talking, driving, and sharing stories, and it turned into a sweet bit of bonding neither of them could have planned. Sometimes God uses ordinary errands to give us something we didn't realize we needed, like extra time together.
Mama had learned that encouragement often accomplishes more than criticism. We should always try to notice the progress people are making instead of reminding them how far they still have to go. This reminded her of a lesson she used to teach her students about thinking before they spoke.
A Lesson in Kindness
The older Mama became, the more she realized that we all need reminders to be kind with our words. Before you speak, it is always helpful to THINK. This simple acronym helps us ensure our words are building others up instead of tearing them down.
Words are powerful, and sometimes the greatest gift we can give someone is encouragement while God continues His work in their life. After all, God isn't finished with any of us yet. We are all just steps in a larger journey.
The Great Bedtime Standoff
The rain finally began to fall as Mama made one final trip around the farm. She was tired, she was wet, and she was more than ready to call it a day. However, the three baby Seramas had no interest in bedtime. One by one, she had to pick them up and place them safely inside the coop.
The Silkies had different plans altogether. As the rain fell harder, they remained outside chirping loudly. Mama stood there under her umbrella, staring at the little birds. They stared back, clearly deciding that going inside was not on their agenda. If you've ever dealt with caring for the flock in wet weather, you know that chickens aren't always logical.
Eventually, the Silkies were tucked away, but then came "Dare Eagle." One of our Cream Legbars had decided the roof of the House of Joy was the perfect place to sit in the rain. Some chickens simply view fences as suggestions. After a bit of a chase, everyone was finally secured.
Grateful for the Quiet Moments
Back inside the house, we found Milo and Panda Bear proving that common sense isn't always their strongest quality either. Neither had wanted to come inside out of the rain earlier. Now, both dogs were wrapped in blankets, drying off and looking perfectly content with their decisions.
Mama sat down with a fresh fruit smoothie and reflected on the day. The storms had arrived, the chores were done, and Bootsy was healing. Through the chaos, the pasture raised eggs still waiting to be gathered, and the stubborn chickens, God had carried everyone safely through another day.
We hope your week is filled with unexpected help and the quiet peace that comes from trusting the process. If you are ever looking for fresh eggs near you, hoping to bring home farm fresh eggs, or just want to see how our pasture-raised girls are doing, we'd love to hear from you.
"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." : Galatians 6:9
Faithful Flock Farm
📞 513-607-1317
🤍 www.faithfulflockfarm.com
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