The Stately Cottonwood in Autumn

Even though winter arrived before its scheduled appearance on the calendar and the featured cottonwood is devoid of leaves, I chose to post this autumnal offering this week. 

                Several times this autumn season, Mother and I viewed a gorgeous gold tree appearing to illuminate each trip between Ralston and the Bend. Our neighbors, Greg and Vonda Goad, mentioned glimpsing it quite a distance east of its location as they traveled back to their home in the Bend. Its stunning, stately brilliance stood silently but its seasonal message resounded loudly.

The stately cottonwood on the
Hightower place in Pawnee
County

                Striking colors of autumn signal the slow, gradual approach of the cold, brown winter. As with many others, I have drained and stored the garden hose and its cart. I made sure the brush and weeds around the stock tank are down even though Mother advised to “let Jack get it.” Thankfully, we have more hay than we have ever had on my watch. Dave Goad processed our hay. Caleb and Rick Rice helped on the hay front, too. A few inconsequential tasks remain unchecked on my “Prepare for Winter” mental list.

                God reminds us gently of the impending weather change. In the same way, Jesus warns his disciples to read the trees. In three of the four gospels, Jesus’s parable of the fig tree is recorded. He predicts the destruction of Jerusalem, which occurs in 70 A.D. when Titus, the Roman general who later ruled as emperor for a couple of years, decimates the revered city of the Israeli people. Jesus says as the fig tree leafing out indicates summer approaching, so the signs of which Jesus speaks alert the world to His second coming.

As Jesus spoke of the leaves of the fig tree, may
our autumn leaves encourage us to more obedience.

                Matthew 24:35, Mark 14:31, and Luke 21:33 record this quote from Jesus Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Jesus concludes His teaching to His disciples admonishing faithfulness and watchfulness.

                Mother enabled me to commit this verse to memory in my younger days by her oft quoting of it. James 4:17 stated Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. James, the half-brother of Jesus, ironically only believed Jesus was the Son of God and Savior of the world after the death and resurrection of Jesus. James reminded the early church that human lives are temporal and uncertain. For this reason, our goal should aim for faithfulness to His Word and anticipation of  His return.

                As the golden cottonwood shimmers in the glistening fall sunlight, may our lives of integrity exalt the Savior we worship. Then may we inspire those around us to faithfully follow His principles for a strong society, closely-knit families, and individual lives that stand stalwart no matter the season.

A Little Sadness at the First Freeze

As I post this, I mused about the summer of 2011 when the drought interfered with the productivity of  Dad's garden. I insisted in dragging the hose down the rows determined to keep the withering tomato plants on life support. More than once Dad called from his chair, "Let 'em go! They're dead!" My ultra-sensitivity caused me to persist well past fruitfulness!

Sadness over an Interruption in Fruitfulness

                As the meteorologist began predicting frost and freeze dates for our location, I mourned a bit. I told Mother a few weeks ago how prolific the perky, tiny yellow blooms were on a couple of the tomato plants. The mention of frost and freeze saddened me. Several of the hearty tomato plants would soon have their fruitfulness terminated abruptly.

One of the hearty tomato plants late in the season.

                The words of Jesus came to mind as I looked at those doomed plants. Jesus answered his disciples with these words recorded in John 9:4 -

I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

Jesus indicated there was a time of productivity in His ministry on earth. In the same way, there are timely windows of opportunities for us. Paul uses the phrase “redeeming the time.” My grandpa, Calvin Callcayah Smith, loved to read the Phillips translation of the New Testament. This is how Ephesians 5:15-17 is rendered:

Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as men who do not know the meaning and purpose of life but as those who do. Make the best use of your time, despite all the difficulties of these days. Don’t be vague but firmly grasp what you know to be the will of God.

                When I have been questioned about knowing the will of God, I start with the words of Jesus from John 6:40 when He succinctly answered that question-

“And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Our starting point in knowing and doing the will of God begins with a belief in Jesus, the Son of God. This belief indicates a reliance on Him much as a child has complete dependence on the parent for all that is needed for that little one to exist. Some people confuse Biblical belief in Jesus with a mental assent or acknowledgement that someone such as George Washington lived. Agreeing that George Washington lived doesn’t alter our daily lives. Even if we add to our belief that Washington was an American Revolutionary War hero, the first United States president, and an influential founding father, our day-to-day existence remains unaffected. But Biblical belief in Jesus involves embracing His perfection. Only the perfect Son of God could die for our sins. The believer is assured of everlasting life because of the promise of Jesus to raise up that person that believes.

                One certainty of this life is that change will take place. Opportunities to do the will of God may disappear never to be presented again. I am keenly aware of how quickly occasions for ministry can disappear. Over my life, I have become painfully aware of limited chances to share the good news of Jesus and impact lives for good. I seek to heed the words and actions of Jesus and utilize the present time and opportunities.

                My mother celebrated her 94^th birthday last month. She commented to me how rapidly time seems to fly by. Her statement typified why intentional living in the present is essential to fruitfulness. Remorse over the past and worry about the future rob us of precious time and interrupt living fully in the present moment.

                One of the most important aspects of living in the present involves encouraging those God brings across our path. Our encouragement should reach the young who are beginning their walk with the Lord. Others need uplifting as they struggle with recovery from perceived failure. Fatigued and weary people we encounter benefit from our urging them to continue doing what is good and right, resisting the impulse to quit. In return, we receive profit from each person we encourage! This type of living ensures fruitfulness year-round in our lives and in those we encounter daily - no matter how cold it gets. Frost and freezing will not interfere with this fruitful productivity. 

                Finally, one of my favorite verse prayers in the Bible is in the Apostle John’s third epistle. What a beautiful prayer for someone in whom you see or desire to see fruitfulness! Nothing could bring more joy than prosperity of the soul of a loved one. 

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

III John 2

              Our Thanksgiving observances this week will likely afford an opportunity to encourage fruitfulness in at least one cherished family member. May this action make this a memorable Thanksgiving with far-reaching effects.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Veterans Day 2013 - Revisited After Five Years

With Veterans Day falling on Sunday, the day I post my weekly blog, it seemed appropriate to republish the first Veterans Day post I wrote. Change has occurred since Veterans Day 2013- Dad's death, both Belle and Little Vet are no longer on the farm. But as long as Old Glory waves over our nation, we must always have a heart full of gratitude that we express to the veterans we encounter not just on Veterans Day but every day of the year. This attitude of appreciation must never change. Respect and gratitude must be fostered in the youngest of our citizens. To readers who have served our country in peacetime or wartime, "Thank you for giving up those years of your lives to preserve the freedom we enjoy today."

Pretty Good Gift for the 94-Year-Old Veteran 

Veterans Day has changed so much for Dad. Prior to his stroke, he was always gearing up for a parade, a Woodland School Veterans Day observance, or even on occasion, a classroom presentation about his tour of duty in the European Theater in World War II. Now that day is punctuated primarily with me saying throughout the day, “Happy Veterans Day, Dad!”  and my sister Angie sharing heartfelt responses of gratitude from friends and relatives to her Facebook posting of a Veterans Day tribute  to him.

Dad with Raymond Renfro as Raymond drives
them in the Fairfax Veterans Day parade in 2011

Dad served his country in World War II flying combat missions over German-occupied territory as an upper turret gunner and flight engineer on a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. Upon returning from his military stint, his father gave him some cows and Dad resumed raising cattle. He always had cattle even when he was working eight-hour days constructing custom-built homes for neighbors and friends. So I was not surprised when just a few years ago I asked what he enjoyed doing most and he replied, "I like raising cattle best."

My Dad, Edmund Gates, Jr., and me
 following the Fairfax
Veterans Day parade in 2010

Veterans Day 2013 turned out a little more exciting and rewarding than we could have ever planned or engineered it to be. Late in the afternoon, I headed down to feed pellets to the cows. I had been on baby calf watch with Belle.  What joy when, lo and behold, there came Belle and a tiny white bull calf!  By the time I arrived at the house after feeding, I had decided to name Belle’s baby, Veteran, and could hardly wait to tell Dad what a wonderful blessing God had given him on this special day. My sister has dubbed him “Little Vet" which seems to have stuck.

Belle and Little Vet on Veterans Day of 2013

Of course, Dad didn’t attend the parades or observances. No classroom presentations were made, but I truly believe God gave this courageous veteran who risked his life for his country one of the best gifts a cattleman, by choice, could want –  an indication of God’s blessing on the future of his herd – a new little calf. Maybe Little Vet is an unusual Veterans Day gift, but I think he is a pretty good gift for my dad , the decorated World War II veteran and still an Oklahoma cowman at heart.

A Perfect Addendum to Veterans Day 2013

Dad with his certificate from Woodland School

A large envelope addressed to Dad arrived in the mail on Friday. It had a note of gratitude from our district’s elementary principal, Claudette Mashburn, accompanied by a personalized certificate of appreciation and honor presented at the Veterans Day School Observance on Monday. It made his day!

Gardening, Symbiosis, and Relationships

Marigolds and Tomatoes – a Symbiotic Relationship

                 Early each spring, Dad and Mother ordered specific miniature marigold seeds to plant in rows along side his rows of vegetables as pest-preventatives. They selected zinnia seeds based upon the large flowers they would produce. These seed packets were ordered in a timely manner from Henry Field’s Seed Catalog. Their seed order included Kandy Korn sweet corn, Kentucky Wonder green beans, Black Magic zucchini, Clemson spineless okra, and Miss Pickler hybrid pickling cucumber.

                Since moving to the farm, I have only attempted growing tomatoes. Yet I recognized the need for the little marigolds and zinnias. Not being as forward-thinking in my garden plan, I had to grab the only seeds I could find for a fraction of the price. As I read the seed packets once I got them home, the description revealed I had indeed purchased marigold and zinnia seeds but quite different from the ones ordered by my parents in previous years. 

One of the little zinnias blooming on November 1.

                I didn't purchase my marigold seeds as carefully as my parents had so I did not have miniatures. Neither did I plant them in the distinct rows as Dad did. I just broadcasted the seeds. I shouldn't have been surprised as they grew in what appeared to be mounds.  

Mound of Marigolds

                As autumn wound down, the marigold bushes still looked gorgeous. The few ripe tomatoes were on plants close to the vibrant reddish-tinged orange marigold flowers. The last ripe tomato was on the tomato plant next to the zinnias.

                As I looked at withering tomato plants, dwindling zinnias, and robust, thriving marigolds, the term – symbiotic – came to mind. Symbiotic relationships in nature often indicate two species, quite different but frequently a helpful influence on one another. In the case of the beneficial little flowering plants, the tomatoes seem to reap the most advantages from the insects and pests being kept away from them by the pungent posies.

                Relationships of human beings can be categorized as symbiotic. Symbiotic relationships usually are characterized as positive. Scripture bears this to be true in I Peter 2:12 –

Be careful how you live among your unbelieving neighbors.

Even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior,

And they will believe and give honor to God when He comes to judge the world. (NLT)

                As believers, how we live affects those around us, just as the marigolds affect the health of the tomato plants. Our daily living should influence those near us. They should see God in our words, attitudes, and decisions. Those around us may never become believers, but our commitment to live godly lives in accordance with His commands will enrich their lives.

Marigolds on November 1, 2018

                Unfortunately, just as the tomato hornworm negatively impacts the tomato plants, (To read a blog post about the tomato hornworm, go to this link - https://bernadeanjgates.blogspot.com/2017/08/the-puffy-pest.html) so symbiotic relationships can be likewise. The Bible records multiple warnings of harmful symbiotic relationships. The corrosive impact of these adverse associations are documented in the life of King Solomon, with these foreboding words – ...His wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God… (I Kings 11:4)

                Paul mentioned the trouble-making coppersmith named Alexander who sought to personally harm him. He reminded Timothy in II Timothy 4: 14-15 to be wary of Alexander. A relationship with this man would prove destructive to Timothy's ministry.

                May our relationships have positive symbiotic results. Even if people around us disagree with our beliefs, may they see our authenticity, ethically upright decisions, and graciousness even in our dissent with them.
…Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope, that is in you, with meekness and fear; Having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, Those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.    I Peter 3:15-16