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Yesterday I  began the day with the searing and braising of a roast in a slow cooker.  Now, the recipe had stated that cooking a blade roast might take three to four hours per pound.  This roast was 5 pounds.  At the far end of the scenario spectrum, this would take 20 hours.  More likely 15 hours if I followed this pattern.

I got up and seared the roast at 3:00 am and placed it in the slow cooker.  At 8:00 am I plunged the thermometer into the roast.  DONE!  So much for the instructions.  Took the roast out, cut it up, left it in its juices and placed it in the fridge.

Meanwhile, at the same time I read my emails.  One of them was from my guests for the evening hour.  They were unable to attend. 

So one good sized roast and no one to join me.

Throughout the day I found a couple who would be willing to join me.  And later in the afternoon, talking to another person, found that they were also available.  The only restriction was time. 

We ate from 6:00 – 7:00 and enjoyed each other’s company along with the food.  Now, that was fun!  I just enjoyed being with others and hosting them.

With the busyness of these last few months, I’m glad to be thrust back into the role of hospitality.  I’m already thinking ahead to these next few weeks to see who else I can invite over (of course, I’m quite open to being invited out as well!).

I’ve noted that Spring has a certain freshness.  The air is seemingly clearer.  The sunshine is bright.  The ground just begs growth.  In fact, one person talking to me thought that within an hour’s time one plant grew an inch.

I can’t help but see this beauty.

On the other hand, allergies are most acute.  Dust begins to pollinate and pollute the air.  And people air their differences.

Often, to start with, not in a nasty way.  They have been so isolated in the last few months they suddenly feel their need for greater connection.

In past years this has morphed fairly quickly into complaints and grumbling.  There is no intended malice to begin with, just a chance comment and a low sigh.  Not always recognizable, and often overlooked.  The work of a care giver is to hear the sound and respond in kind.  A quick phone call, a short visit or perhaps even a prayer for mercy on that person who is awakening from winter.

May God grant to you and your loved ones the opportunity to take the edge off Spring.  May your days be filled with re-growth of relationship and may your love for others multiply in this time of newness of life.

I’m looking out the window.  The sun has risen and the green grass is rising.  We are into spring and I’m loving it.  I can walk outside without shivering, hear song birds singing and geese honking. 

Soon the farmers will have their seeders in full gear.  Driving back from Regina on Thursday I passed a few.  They are no longer the short boxes of past years, but huge monstrosities that encompass the full road.

Although farms are much larger than yesteryear, the farmers are themselves still lovers of the land.  I talk to a number of them and this time of year holds excitement and wonder.

As I was reading my daily scriptures, I came across another person who loved the land.  His name was King Uzziah.  Here is some of the description of this king:

¹⁰ He also built towers in the wilderness and dug many cisterns, because he had much livestock in the foothills and in the plain. He had people working his fields and vineyards in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil. (II Chronicles 26:10 – NLT)

Uzziah would fit in well with my friends!!

I’m with my niece.  She has two kids, and she and her husband are being intentional about their parenting.  Their son is just ready to enter Grade one – he has reading skills and is quite the conversationalist.  They read the Psalms to him each evening.  He knows Bible stories and enjoys conversations with his parents.

I am moving towards a blended family.  That means that I am looking around and observing.  I’m researching and reading. 

There are many different family styles.  Dealing with the obvious selfishness that children can bring to their lives (“I don’t want to share”), we have the opportunity to steer them towards being good citizens and lovers of others.

I suppose one thing I am trying to learn is that we (young and old) have a sinful nature, but often times the triggers for our temptation can be sidestepped.  Flee from evil!  Perhaps a part of parenting is helping our kids (each one is an individual) know what leads them in the un-right path. 

Lots of work to observe and know our kids, but intentional parenting is well worth it.