Today...

   Today was an absolute practice in frustration; every one in the house is feeling the strain of it. 

The circle of chaos a call to the doctor's office can trigger;

A reckless youth that caused a ruptured ear drum..

and the symptoms that ebb and flow;

Empty nest boxes in the hen house..and no sign of molt;

Not catching the culprit causing the empty nest boxes;

Finding two copperheads...killing only one;

A never-ending harvest of peppers..

The return of heat and humidity;

Projects untouched and stacked on the table.

These things, oh, they will be waiting for me tomorrow. These things are trivial upsets..little things which really should have no power over me...yet, then there is:

The heartbreak of another's choices;

Grief when you can't mend the hurt;

Questions: did I do what I should..is there more I could;

Pain of knowing it will not end well;

The unwelcome return of my own health concerns.

These things, they too will be waiting for me tomorrow..they will rob me of my rest and drive me to my knees. Today is a day to enter into a time of testing..testing faith, testing prayer, testing sacrifice and determination. Today is a day when we face ourselves and see what it is we are made of; what it is we rely on; what holds us together. 

Today, I fall to my knees seeking.

Today, I will not be moved.

Tomorrow I will pick myself up

and I will carry on.

Today

I lift up the frustrated;

the one pushed to the limit

unsure how to carry on.

I pray for every homesteader;

despite the failures and setbacks

tries to hold on

just one more season.

Today

I pray for every mother's heart;

broken by a child

she sacrificed to love.