Just outside of our house we have a very large tree next to our sidewalk. The trunk of the tree is massive and I am certain it would take more than two grown men to wrap their arms around the base. It is the ideal tree to climb and offers an incredible amount of shade from the hot summer sun. Each year’s new growth makes the branches heavy and by July we have what feels like a secret little room over our patio.

During the summer months you can find me there reading my morning devotions while sipping a cup of coffee, sharing a meal with my family, or just relaxing with my feet up. I try to spend as much time as possible there and the space has turned into a bit of a sanctuary for me. God and I have had some pretty amazing conversations beneath this tree. Prayers of praise and thanksgiving have been uttered beneath the thick canopy, as well as words matched with tears and frustrations. At times His voice seems loud and clear and other times nearly silent, but I always sense Him near while I am there.

A couple weeks ago I was sitting beneath the lush, green leaves in my chair when it started to rain. I could see the drops hit the yard all around me, yet I did not feel even the tiniest sprinkle. The thick canopy of leaves was sheltering me from the drizzling shower and I felt completely surrounded by His goodness. The few weeks leading up to this point had been a time of loaded schedules and what felt like enormous tasks. I was tired, worn out and ready for a break. As I sat there and watched the rain drops hit the green grass in the distance, I sensed God’s presence and I suddenly felt a calm fall over every part of me. In the stillness of the moment, I was overcome by words Moses gave Joshua, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deut. 31:8) And in that instant, I knew all the trials and uncertainties I had been fretting about were already being dealt with by my Creator.

As I continued to sit in my tranquil little spot, in my mind I listed off some of the many promises God has given us. While I recalled them one by one, the turmoil within my soul shifted and I could sense God’s gift of peace and rest within. And so for my friend reading this today who is experiencing heartache, trial, and sadness – are you holding close to His promises? He put them in His Word so you can lean on them and find strength and hope. God is with you even in the hardest of times. He never leaves you unattended and is walking with you every step of the way. Remember, not only does He join you in the present; He is already ahead of you handling your difficulties for the good of your future.

Standing on His Promises,

Becky Ossefoort

Here are a few scriptures to help get you started: Exodus 14:14; Psalm 46:1; Jeremiah 29:11; 1 John 1:9; Romans 8:38-30; Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 43:2; Philippians 4:19; Psalm 23

I was one of the lucky kids who grew up in the same community as all of her grandparents. There were many hugs, treats, and so many fun times together as I ponder the memories of growing up. Each Sunday we would visit one side of the family or the other for afternoon coffee. I’d play with my cousins, and run around the family farms exploring all they had to offer. After Grandpa and Grandma Stoel moved to town, my siblings and I would walk to their house after catechism and Sunday School to get our fix of molasses cookies and “Grandma’s Nectar” (a.k.a. juice). Grandma, with an incredible gift of hospitality, was always preparing something sweet to serve her guests. Just thinking about it makes me crave my favorite treats she made with love.

Grandparents are special people and each of mine hold a very special place in my heart. I was well into my thirties when I lost my first grandparent and my own three children have been fortunate to know seven of their eight great-grandparents. Last week Saturday evening I received news my Grandpa Stoel had passed away. Sudden, yes; but it was evident his nearly ninety year old body was failing in recent weeks, so not completely unexpected.

Each of my sweet, loving grandparents has left a mark on my life. They leave a legacy of many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. However, something even more incredible than 37 great-grandchildren under the age of 17, is the legacy of faith they have left with each of us. Each of my grandparents carefully helped my parents raise me to know my Creator. Not a meal went by without teaching me who had ultimately provided us with it; not a day passed without thanking God for another day on this earth; and not a prayer of blessing was missed for each of the tiny children they held in their arms.

The scripture Grandpa chose for his funeral is found in 2 Timothy chapter 2 verse 3. “Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” At first I found it to be an odd selection, but after reading it and the verses surrounding it again, it summed up all that he was for in this life rather well. When Paul wrote this letter he was challenging Timothy to continue to spread the Gospel of Christ at all cost. Timothy would need to have discipline, train hard and endure all things for the sake of letting all know of the Savior.

My Grandpa knew his Savior and with each day he set out to instill in his children (and his children’s children) right from wrong, teach them of Jesus, and make sure they knew the many promises the Lord has given each of us. Together my grandparents endured the pain of losing a son in a tragic accident, and both were challenged with a few health ordeals over the years. Though Grandpa was perhaps a bit rough around the edges at times, the quiet and gentle whisper of his Savior was spoken through words and actions, and a reflection of his faith was found in the things he stood firmly for.

Hebrews 12:1 says “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” I thank God for all witnesses of my faith; both those tucked in the Bible and those I’ve been blessed with in my lifetime here on earth.

So as I reflect on the many memories of my Grandpa, I am left with the thought of what will my legacy look like when I am laid to rest one day. We each have one to leave, after all, and ultimately only we can determine if it points in the direction of our Savior.

Becky Ossefoort

When spring finally arrived this year, you could find AJ at the ball diamond. He loves to play baseball and enjoys time spent with his friends while tossing the ball around. Over the years it has been fun to watch him develop his skills and grow his knowledge of the game. AJ plays with a smile on his face even when mistakes are made and we often see his cute, little dimples from the stands after a well-executed play – all the way from the outfield! He and his teammates encourage one another and brush off their frustrations well. Win or lose, when the game is over, they are all the best of buds. I may be biased, but it is a joy to watch those boys play together!

Over the years, each player has found their position on the field. AJ most often finds himself in center field or on the pitching mound. When he is in the outfield it never ceases to amaze me how quick he is to get into position and nab a ball out of the air, swiftly throwing it back to the infield. While I enjoy watching him throw pitches from the mound, it does make this mom a little nervous with each crack of the bat. I worry about that sweet little boy getting hurt by a line drive baseball to the shins or mouth. He thinks I am ridiculous and continues working on his technique anyway. A few weeks ago he came to me complaining of shoulder pain. He is not one to complain too quickly, so my mind immediately thought of all the terrible things it could be. After a visit to the school trainer, she recommended some rest and heat. Mom maybe overreacted a little bit. The instructions to rest left AJ a little bummed and disappointed he would not be able to give it his all at practice or during a game. After about a week, the coach had him back on the mound tossing strikes – with a big, bright smile on his face.

Does life ever get you down? It seems as though life throws a curve ball of sorts and suddenly you have been plunged into this sea of fear and uncertainty. To some degree, I believe we have all experienced this sudden sense of tragedy, doubt, and disappointment. It’s not an easy journey, nor is it much fun. The last few days I’ve heard of several people who have been left feeling hurt, discouraged or let down. The following was a part of my recent morning devotions and I’d like to share it with you as a source of love and encouragement.

“The Cure for Disappointment” from He Still Moves Stones:

“Come and see what God has done, the amazing things he has done for people.” Psalm 66:5

We need to hear that God is still in control. We need to hear that it’s not over until he says so. We need to hear that life’s mishaps and tragedies are not a reason to bail out. They are simply a reason to sit tight.

Corrie ten Boom used to say, “When the train goes through a tunnel and the world gets dark, do you jump out? Of course not. You sit still and trust the engineer to get your through”…

The way to deal with discouragement? The cure for disappointment? Go back and read the story of God. Read it again and again. Be reminded that you aren’t the first person to weep. And you aren’t the first person to be helped.

Read the story and remember, the story is yours!

“So let us rejoice because of what he did. He rules forever with his power.” Psalm 66:6b-7a

Becky Ossefoort

Since becoming a mother I have experienced many emotions while watching my children grow up. I’m not sure one is ever completely prepared for any of those feelings as different situations arise. It sure would be nice to just box up time and keep our children little. Yet, that’s not the purpose God has for them, or us.

Just the other day in the school drop-off lane I experienced something new that left me speechless and perhaps a bit sad. Now, my son is growing up and would prefer I not give him a big kiss in the school parking lot, and I choose to respect that – most of the time. J As I was dropping him off at school I said “Have a great day. I love you!” I waited for a response as he stepped out of the car but there was none. Thinking he had not heard me, I repeated “I love you!” just a little louder than before. Just as I did, he  turned his head a bit and I noticed huge dimples and a smile on his face. Oh, he had heard me alright, but refused to verbally acknowledge what I had said. I was a bit surprised and even a little hurt when I realized my little boy is not so little anymore, and saying “I love you” to your mom is not so cool when your buddies are around. Little does he know the dimples and smile was just enough to avail my need for his affection that morning.

As I pondered what had happened, I felt a twinge of conviction as I drove away from the curb. I began to think about my relationship with my Creator, I wondered if I do the same thing to Him at times? How often do I withhold my sentiments of love, adoration and praise from Him? Does He experience the same emotions of hurt and sadness when I suppress my affection from Him?

One way I have found to show my adoration and love for the Father is to pray scriptures. There is really nothing like using God’s very own words to glorify Him. As I do so, I find myself aligned with His heart and full of praise for whom He is, not just what He does for me. Just this week as I was doing my morning devotions I found myself peering out the window, completely overcome by the beauty and variety of ways God is still creating. The newness of spring and the loveliness of the green grass, chirping of birds high in the trees, and bright green buds poking out their heads from branches grabbed my attention. I thought to myself, “Only my God can create so much beauty through one small window.” I flipped the pages in my Bible and allowed God’s words to help me praise and express my love for Him. I quickly found myself completely overwhelmed by His Sovereignty and love for all His creation.

So, even though my experience in the drop-off lane at school was a bit painful, I am thankful for it. The experience was a gentle reminder to examine how I speak my love to my Heavenly Father and to include more prayers of adoration and thanksgiving in my prayer time. Our lives are all busy, and our days are constantly filled with noise. But when we find a quiet place to pray and praise Him, we are able to connect and find ourselves drawn closer to Him. And when we choose to put ourselves and other distractions aside and spend time admiring Him from deep within our heart, it is amazing how He speaks.

What a Mighty God we serve!

Becky Ossefoort

This week our family has been reflecting on the events of Holy Week. It has been interesting to hear the different pieces of the story each family member has connected with. For myself, I have been meditating on the love Jesus has for me that ultimately held him to the cross. At any moment He could have tapped out and said, “No more, I’m done. It’s her turn!” But He didn’t.

The song “Reckless Love” has been part of my daily worship and as I have sat listening and soaking in the words, my heart has become overwhelmed by the depth of His love for me. A few lines from the song are “I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it, still, You give Yourself away. Oh the overwhelming, never ending, reckless love of God.”

While working on Sunday School Curriculum, I ran into this story. It’s not a story found in the Bible, although I believe it’s a great way to help us understand what Jesus did for us and His incredible love. The story is called “Grandmother’s Needle.”

Tommy lived with his Grandmother. Tommy loved his grandmother and she loved him. But Tommy had a bad habit of stealing. Tommy’s Grandmother punished him again and again for stealing, but Tommy just couldn’t stop stealing.

One day, Tommy’s grandmother said, “Tommy, I love you too much to let you continue doing this. The next time you come home with things that do not belong to you, I am going to take one of these knitting needles and heat it in a real hot fire. I am going to burn your hand so badly that you will never forget it.”

Eventually, Tommy forgot what grandmother had said and started stealing again. He came home with pockets stuffed with things he had stolen. He tried to hide his stolen goods, but his grandmother caught him.

“Where did you get these things?” demanded Grandmother. Tommy refused to answer her. “Tell me, Tommy, where did you get these things?” Grandmother asked again. Still Tommy wouldn’t answer. “You have been stealing again,” said Grandmother. “You know what I told you. You know that I try to keep my word.” Grandmother got her metal knitting needle and put in into the fire. When it was red hot, she called Tommy to her and said, “Son, hold out your hand.”

Tommy was trembling as he held out his hand, but he knew that he had done wrong. He knew that he deserved to be punished. Grandmother paused a moment and said, “Son, I want you to see the seriousness of your stealing. You deserve this punishment, but I love you so much that I am going to take your punishment for you.” With that, Grandma dropped Tommy’s hand. She took the red-hot knitting needle, and burned her own hand very badly. Holding out her burned hand, she said, “Look at my hand, Tommy. This is what your stealing cost me.”

Tommy said, “That ended my stealing. I saw how much Grandmother loved me and I saw what my sin had cost her.”

And so I leave you with this image today as you peer into the empty tomb. I pray you feel the overwhelming, reckless love of God. His Son, Jesus, has made a full and complete payment for you. What a gift of love.

Overwhelmed by His love,

Becky Ossefoort

I was working on a project the other day with one of my children. We were moving along with our task together in perfect unity. As we were nearing completion I noticed I was getting pushed away little by little and the child was gaining more and more control. To add insult to injury, the phrase “I got it, Mom.” was uttered from his little mouth, as though I was not needed at all. While I probably was not the greatest asset for getting the tractor out of the shed, I certainly did not need to be reminded by an 8 year old! To be fair, I had never started or driven this particular machine so I was carefully assessing the situation only to have my pride left hurt and annoyed by being told he knew better than I did.

This little story problem of my life led me to think about how I treat my Heavenly Father while we are working on a task with one another. It’s a little hard to admit, but I have watched myself start in perfect harmony with Him, only to say “I’ll take it from here, Lord!” Who am I to tell the Creator of all things, I don’t need you anymore? Yet, I do…all too often. Oh how I struggle with wanting to be in control of where my life is going and the plans I have for myself. One would think God would become annoyed and hurt by my actions, like I was as I rode out of the shed with the 8 year old at the wheel. Yet He has never turned His back on me and is always near, making a way for me, with outstretched arms.

I do not know about you, but I can really struggle at times with full surrender. When I am faced with a challenge (both good and bad) I cannot help but wonder if God has thought about everything like I have – pathetic, right? When will I learn to fully trust His will and submit to the plans He has for my life?

The lyrics from the song “Control” by Tenth Avenue North have really been speaking to me the last few weeks. They remind me while I may not understand His way at all times, I still need to let go of my control and trust Him to lead me on the right path. A few of the lyrics go like this:

Here I am; All my intentions; All my obsessions; I want to lay them all down; In Your hands only your love is vital; Though I’m not entitled; Still You call me Your child

God You don’t need me; But somehow You want me; Oh, how You love me; Somehow that frees me; To take my hands off of my life; And the way it should go

God You don’t need me; But somehow You want me; Oh, how You love me; Somehow that frees me; To open my hands up; And give You control; I give You control

I’ve had plans shattered and broken; Things I have hoped in; Fall through my hands; You have plans to redeem and restore me; You’re behind and before me; Oh, help me believe

You want me; Somehow You want me; The King of Heaven wants me; So this world has lost its grip on me

God could easily do all things on His own, but He has invited me – invited you – to partner with Him to redeem and restore this broken world. It’s amazing He would want anything to do with us when I really think about it; after all, He is the one and only King of the universe. He does not need us to accomplish anything for Him, yet He comes down from His throne and meets us here in our messed up and broken lives. It is the most beautiful picture of love and friendship because there is absolutely nothing you need to do to earn His affection. So as you journey with Him here on this earth, remember He only wants one thing – all of you.

The King of Heaven wants you, my friend!

Becky Ossefoort

Have you noticed any bald eagles around your area recently? I have heard several sightings of these magnificent creatures in the last months. As a child it was truly a special moment to see one in its natural habitat, since they were becoming a scarce species. It would seem as though the laws of protection have worked as we now see them more often.

Since last fall, our family has had the privilege to watch a pair of bald eagles in our grove. We have lovingly named them “Fred and Wilma,” as though they are part of the family. Josh and I were certain they would leave when temps dipped as low as they did, but they are still around perched high in the treetops. The unfrozen creek nearby must be a good source of food for them. Although, Austin witnessed a squirrel run like crazy across the field to avoid the outstretched talons going after the little fuzzy creature. Half way across the section Josh discovered a huge nest in a small group of trees, so we are looking forward to some eaglet sightings later this year. Since bald eagles tend to come back to the same nest, we may be lucky enough to witness these sightings for several years to come.

Most of you probably know eagles are very intelligent creatures with a great amount of strength and incredible wing span. Since Fred and Wilma’s arrival to the Ossefoort Ranch we have been doing a little research about our feathered companions. We have learned bald eagles have about a 20 year life expectancy, build enormous nests, and the females are larger than the males. I was surprised to learn that an eagle can actually sense a storm before it comes and prepares itself by flying high in the sky. As the storm hits, they lock their wings and soar. The winds of the storm actually lift them up above the chaos below. Because their wings are locked in an outstretched position with no flapping, they actually burn very little energy and are able to allow the storm to pass before resting. While the eagle cannot avoid the storm, they use the wind to protect themselves.

In John 16, we hear Jesus telling the disciples we would experience trouble in this world. (vs. 33) Those difficulties and storms of life seem to come in all different shapes and forms. We live on a planet where everything is unstable and could disappoint at any time. We experience things not going as we had planned, death, and not to mention a very real enemy who actively seeks to destroy. The storms of life are unavoidable and we each will encounter them along the journey of life, even as a Christian.

²⁸ Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. ²⁹ He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. ³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; ³¹ but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31

Like the eagle, we too can soar above the storms of life, rather than be sucked into the disorder and confusion below. We prepare for the storm by spending time with Jesus daily where we learn to trust Him and discover His love and faithfulness. Only then are we able to understand that same love, faithfulness, and trust when uncertainty comes our way. Because of our salvation in Him, we can put our hope in the Lord who will hold us upright and renew our strength. When we are able to trust God through all things, we do not grow weary or stumble and fall. Instead, we are able to spread our wings and soar above the storm, experiencing renewal and peace, as we are lifted up by our Father in Heaven.

Spreading my wings,

Becky Ossefoort

When I was a child, I was told by the year 2000 we would have flying cars and all sorts of other out of this world items.  Here we are in 2018 and I am still waiting for a flying family sedan.  I find it somewhat entertaining to revisit the things I was told as a child that would “completely change the world.”  Take the internet for instance. When I was in junior high, our computer teacher told us our assignment for the day was to type an email to the President of the United States of America.  The teacher had my full attention and I was ready to see how it worked because I had never sent an email or visited the World Wide Web.  We watched the teacher go to a closet and flip a switch.  Suddenly the whole class could hear a new noise with a series of techy “boings,” static, and screeches.  (If you have ever used dial up internet services, you know exactly what I am talking about.)  Several minutes later the noise stopped and our class was given a new assignment because the computer was unable to make a connection.  I recall turning in my chair thinking this internet thing is such a joke; it will never amount to anything.   Now, several years later, it makes me chuckle to know I carry the internet around in my back pocket.  Turns out it did amount to something and eventually grew into something huge!

Reflecting can be a good and healthy way to look towards the future.  I often even find motivation from my reflecting because I am able see where I started and how far I have come.  Mike’s message on Sunday challenged us to reflect on our year and find areas of growth and perhaps point out spaces in our life we could work on in the New Year.  I do not believe his challenge was meant to upset us or belittle our lack of growth, but rather help highlight and motivate us to bring health to those parts of our spiritual life we have maybe neglected.

There are several ways to grow a deeper, stronger connection with our Heavenly Father.  We can count on God to be at the center of our growth because He lives within us and is always actively growing us from the inside out.  When we develop and work on a spiritual discipline, all efforts will be richly rewarded as we spend time seeking the Father’s face.  Another idea is finding an accountability partner.  Oftentimes when someone wants to change a habit, they find a friend to help them achieve their goal.  I had someone reach out just recently that is looking to strengthen her walk with the Lord and wants someone to journey alongside her.  When one wants to grow deeper in their spiritual life, we surround ourselves with others who faithfully study God’s Word and seek His guidance in everything.

I pray this is the year for you to find a stronger connection with your Father in Heaven so when you look in the mirror a year from now you will find an even sharper reflection of who you were created to be.  May the new image looking back at you be a person who is not as easily angered when things do not go as planned, one who can find a fresh dose of patience when you have had enough, and a person with a great amount of peace even in the midst of trial.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17.  May it be so of each of us that we set out to grow a strong connection with our Father in Heaven as we become an even greater reflection of our Savior in 2018.

Becky Ossefoort

If you know me well, you know I like old things.  When I say old things, I do not necessarily mean unique and valuable antiques.  Actually, I am particularly fond of everyday items, especially those with a memorable story to accompany them.  For instance, in my kitchen hangs a long shelf made of a thick lumber from an old barn.  Displayed on the shelf are many items like antique blue mason jars, a broken rolling pin, a chipped wooden spoon, and a vintage cream and sugar set.  Each item has little to no monetary value, but each piece is from a kitchen of someone I love dearly.

Last Christmas season I added a special touch to my dining room corner.  Much to Josh’s excitement, I crammed a second Christmas tree into our rather small farm house and adorned it with old, colorful Christmas ornaments from my Grandma Welgraven’s basement.  I have many memories of helping my grandparents decorate their tree as a little girl, but at the time, I recall thinking they needed to update their chipped and fading ornaments.  I guess I didn’t appreciate the beautiful old-fashioned treasures until the delicate decorations were discovered while clearing a shelf in Grandma’s basement last summer.  The moment I saw them, I knew I wanted to display them as a reminder of two people whom I love very much. My “Granny Tree” was complete when I hung a dozen delicate snowflakes my Grandma Stoel carefully crocheted many years ago.  For most who view my tree, it’s simply a tree full of old things; to me it’s a tree full of rich memories, and a glimpse of where and who I come from.

I’m sure the last thing any of my loved ones thought they would pass on was an old, chipped wooden spoon, or a tarnished Christmas ornament, but I know there was one thing they were intentional about passing to the next generation. It was the love they had for their Heavenly Father.

⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  ⁷ Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  ⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)

While the many little treasures I have accumulated in my home remind me of my loved ones, the little trinkets will never compare to the gift they gave me “along the road” of life.  My family did their very best to impress the command “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and will all your soul and with all your strength” (Deut. 6:5) on my life.  While we did not literally tie symbols on our hands or place them on our foreheads, they were certain to make God a part of my life each day.  It is my prayer that I too may pass on more than small knick-knacks from my life and be remembered for sharing the love of my Lord and Savior with my children and their children after them.

This year, as we enjoy the many rich customs of the Christmas season, may it not be said of us that we pass on empty traditions.  Rather, may it be so of each of us that we teach our children and grandchildren the faithfulness, promises, and love of their Heavenly Father at work in their life each and every day.

Becky Ossefoort

As you all probably know, my family lives on a small acreage northeast of town. We have only been out here a handful of years, but I sometimes have to remind myself we ever lived in town. My kids have no fear with the cattle or hogs we raise, and my husband reminds me frequently he was driving tractor at a much earlier age than AJ is now. I guess the farming life fits my family well.

Evan, who is almost eight, has been accused by the neighbor of raising a strong, healthy, bottle calf like no other. He must pour some type of extra loving care into each one because oftentimes they look no different than the calves who stay with their mommas all summer. I’m told this is a little unusual. It is not uncommon, after finishing their bottle, for Evan to run in circles with the calf chasing him, tail in the air. Then they switch directions and eventually Evan trips and the calf nudges him to keep going. It’s really quite a site. As this mom watches, it’s cute and terrifying all at the same time.

Out on the farm you think of a rooster crow for an alarm clock. We don’t have chickens or a rooster, so usually it is the beep of an alarm clock to get us to rise. Except this summer. Evan’s calf, Heidi, started waking up earlier and earlier crying for her bottle. Though faint at first, eventually she would walk out to the little outdoor pen where she spent her sunny afternoons. Shortly after she started bawling, the other bottle calf would make her presence known. There really was no sleeping in at our house this summer, and I’ll admit, it was a little like having a newborn around again!

When the bottle was mixed and brought to the pen, you needed to look out! At first sight of the bottle, there was a dead sprint for the nipple and I don’t think the animal would breathe until the milk was completely gone. (No, she was not starving; I asked the big farmer.) Turns out she prefers the sweetness of the white liquid more than the perfectly prepared feed and hay that was provided in the trough throughout the entire day.

This reminded me of the scripture from Hebrews 5, “¹¹ We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. ¹² In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! ¹³ Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

While it is true the calf needed the bottle morning and night, eventually she needed to start eating more of the grain provided for her – the solid food. The same is true of us. When we were young, much of our nutrition came from the milk we drank, but little by little, solid table food was offered to our palate. God’s Word instructs us to do the same with our spiritual life. We were fashioned by the Creator of this universe to be lifelong learners and to share our knowledge and love, as teachers, with others. It is important as we travel this journey, no matter what age, to continually dig into the depths of God’s Word and “chew” on it as we faithfully serve our Lord and Master.

What did you have for your spiritual breakfast this morning? I pray, whatever it was, it left you hungering for more.

Becky Ossefoort