Homesteading Goals for 2011

Written by Christie Petersen

As I was praying about what the Lord would like to see in my life here on our homestead, it became clear and ever so sweet to hear His voice speak to me.  First I seemed to hear Him say, ” Take more time to sit in that swing I gave you and enjoy watching Me work.”
I took a deep breath at this point and said, “Okay, Lord I will try.”  Then as I listened on, thinking of all the ground that needed improved on, seeds that needed to be gone through, and the planning nessessary I again heard Him speak, “Are we talking about the garden or your life in Me?”  How exciting it was again to Hear Him speak so plainly.  But I thought to myself, “How silly! Surely He knows I am talking about the gardens.” Then it dawned on me like light on glass of course He knows what I am talking about. Non-the-less He wants me to know what He is all about.

You see I am not taking any of this to heaven.  All the work that needs to be done here that is everlasting and will amount to anything good will be done by Him in my heart.  He took me to several Scriptures where He lead me in His Truth about making plans.
1Chorinthians 28:19  “All this,” said David, “the LORD made me understand in writing, by His hand upon me, all the works of these plans.”

After reading this verse I wanted so much to know His plan for my life in all that I do.  Like David by His own hand the plan given to me.
Proverbs 19:21   “There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand.”

His Counsel all wise and wonderful that is what will make a diference in my Life!  I will be able to see the results of His counsel as it will preserve under all trials no matter what the weather.

Isaiah 30:1  “Woe to the rebellious children,” says the LORD, “Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin.”

This was very sobering as I feel that for many years I have done this on many occasions. Forgetting Who made me, He Who has a wonderful plan for me,  Who knows every hair on my head and every word before I speak it.  Who am I to think that I cannot trust Him for each day with out all the toiling of worry disguised in time spent needlessly in my own planning.  Thinking somehow that what I am doing is what makes it all happen.  I want to be ready, don’t get me wrong here, I just want to be ready in Him.  Trusting Him for all that I am and all that I will be this year.  Whether it be in family, schooling, at our fellowship, on the farm, in the butchershop or even here on A Virtuous Woman.  The world has its way of pulling us along making those things that are really a hindrance to our faith look so appealing.  I want to get rid of these traditions of man and cling to my Father.  I want to learn what it looks like to depend on Him for each and every need I have.
Psalm 33:11 “The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.”