I saw a TV commercial recently about smartphone beta testers that really bothered me. Maybe you have seen the one I am refering to, there is a girl who sees two friends on the sidewalk and asks the one how she and her boyfriend are doing. The friend immediately breaks into tears refusing to talk to the girl who asked the question. Then the girl, speaking to the camera, claims that any time her phone didn't update her with her friends most recent status she was not just being insensitive, she was being a beta tester.
This little exchange bothers me for so many reasons.
1. I haven't bought into the whole smartphone thing and I am not sure they are such a good idea
2. There are things you shouldn't put on facebook
3. It is not insensitive for someone to ask a question about how your life is going.
4. Expecting someone to know everything about you because you posted something on facebook is not the same thing as communication, a relationship or a friendship.
5. Getting upset because someone asked you a question you didn't particularly like is not mature nor the proper way to respond.
As a society it seems we walk on egg shells more and more every day. We are afraid of not being politically correct or offending someone if we voice our opinion or stand for something. We live in a world that would prefer you stand for nothing so it attacks if you stand for anything. Politicians are a great example of saying nothing with a whole lot of words. If you ever actually listen, they say nothing, never answer a question directly and constantly hedge their bets.
When did we become such cowards? When did it become so much more important to not rock the boat than to stand up for what you believe?
I am not exempting myself from this either. I am full of fear about confronting someone with unpleasant news or a stance I know is contrary to their own. I worry I will offend someone if I point out a flaw in their argument or disagree with their facebook post. Being a Christian means getting beyond this fear and worry and spreading the good news about Jesus no matter how unwelcome it may be.
So, what do you say? When someone is acting in a very unChristian manner, what do you say? When someone posts on facebook something that is ridiculous, untrue, hurtful or just unnecessary, what do you say? When someone is living their life contrary to the 10 commandments, what do you say?
I wish there was an easy answer. Some will shut down if you publicly chastise them, so maybe sending a private message or an email or calling is the right thing to do. Some won't listen no matter what you do or say or post. Sometimes the only thing you can say is a pray for them.
For the past few months, I have prayed for more courage and strength and the right words to say when situations arise. It is not a fast transformation from timid to courageous, but the gradual steps are bringing me closer to God, making me stronger, bolder and at the same time more loving and understanding.
I pray that you can find the right words when the time comes for you to speak up.
"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me. " Martin Niemoller
What do you say?
God Bless!
Hannah
The Farmer's Wife
Monday, April 30, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
This Week
I am finally realizing how good I did during Lent to update this almost daily. There are a billion and one excuses I could give for why I haven't posted recently, most of them center on being too busy living my life to tell you about it and I am a very boring person so "living my life" really means folding load after load of laundry. Since I have had nothing super exciting and worthy of a blog all to itself this week, I will do a weekly wrap up of my thoughts and activities this week.
Highlights of this week were definitely getting closer to getting the house finished. I am disappointed that it isn't done today but so much progress has been made this week. We meet with our builder this afternoon to do a walk through and make a list of all the little things that still need to be done. My birthday is a week from Monday and I really hope a new house is my present!!
I also got to go to my little (well younger) brother's rugby game in Columbus. It was so much fun to see some rugby. They lost which is never fun but they played hard. It was a nice little adventure for my and the girls. Being a teenager I am sure he would never say this, but I think Joe enjoyed us being there to support him or maybe it was just for the snacks I brought, either way I love being able to support my family.
This week I have struggled with understanding why people do what they do. There are people I just want to scream at and shake and slap some sense into but I don't mostly because I know it won't help.
To get me over my frustration are little gems like this one, that make it all worth while... Thank you Mom
I hope you have had a good week and enjoy your weekend!
God Bless!
Hannah
The Farmer's Wife
Highlights of this week were definitely getting closer to getting the house finished. I am disappointed that it isn't done today but so much progress has been made this week. We meet with our builder this afternoon to do a walk through and make a list of all the little things that still need to be done. My birthday is a week from Monday and I really hope a new house is my present!!
I also got to go to my little (well younger) brother's rugby game in Columbus. It was so much fun to see some rugby. They lost which is never fun but they played hard. It was a nice little adventure for my and the girls. Being a teenager I am sure he would never say this, but I think Joe enjoyed us being there to support him or maybe it was just for the snacks I brought, either way I love being able to support my family.
This week I have struggled with understanding why people do what they do. There are people I just want to scream at and shake and slap some sense into but I don't mostly because I know it won't help.
To get me over my frustration are little gems like this one, that make it all worth while... Thank you Mom
I hope you have had a good week and enjoy your weekend!
God Bless!
Hannah
The Farmer's Wife
Friday, April 20, 2012
The Greatest Joy of Womanhood
Have you ever thought about the difference between joy and happiness? They may seem like the same thing. Society uses them interchangeably. According to dictionary.com they are synonyms. So what is the difference? I bet if you thought about it awhile you could identify times in your life when you were happy and other times in your life when you were full of joy. I recently heard it explained like this, happiness is an emotion that is temporary and can be caused by all sorts of external stimuli whereas joy is a state of being that is permanent and from God.
I could get way off my original topic here and dive into why this explanation makes so much sense in what seems to be a modern society so lost and searching for happiness in all the wrong places. But I won't for now, that may be a post in the near future. What I want to focus on today is the joy of womanhood, specifically the greatest joy of womanhood.
Now, I am sure you can think of a few songs off the top of your head that describe the happiness and power of being a woman. Two that top my list are Man, I feel like a woman and I will survive. What I love about these songs is that while society is telling us that women are just as good as men, these songs are praising women for being women. A woman is not good because or only if she can do everything as well as a man can. A woman is good because she has a whole set of skills that only she can do.
And that leads me to the greatest joy of womanhood: the act of bringing forth life. Based on my previous explanation of joy, in order for it to truly be joy it has to be from or of God. Also, in order for it to be the greatest joy of womanhood it has to be something that is unique to woman. While I wish that just putting those two things out there as explanation was enough, today's society makes it abundantly clear that we have completely lost sight of both of these things. I am not sure one is any easier to explain than the other and they are intertwined so thoroughly. God gives life. God created the world, everything in it, on it and above it. He created man and woman in His own image and instructed them to be fruitful, multiply and subdue the earth. Simple enough but overlooked by many, even those considering themselves Christian.
God created us man and woman. Each gender has unique characteristics that the other gender does not possess. These differences should be celebrated. A woman is not less than a man, she is different from a man. It is a good thing that women cannot do everything a man does. Women are different than men and it is a good thing. I consider myself fairly fit and strong, but Leron can still out lift and out endurance me any day and he doesn't even go to the gym 3 times a week, workout with a personal trainer or read articles about nutrition, proper exercise or health. He could also eat a cheeseburger and large fries and wash it down with a sugary drink 2 times a day for a week and not gain a single pound. If I ate that, I would put on 1 pound a day. He has strong hands that make him perfectly suited for doing the rough stuff, tending to cattle, tilling the ground, building things, fixing machinery, and protecting his girls. I have nimble hands that are perfectly suited for doing the soft stuff, holding my babies, bringing comfort with a touch, cooking, sewing, doing hair and creating beautiful music on a piano or flute. I don't want his job and he doesn't want mine. We are not made to be interchangeable. While he may be able to bring comfort with a touch, he is better at protecting in the first place. And while I may be able to shoot a shotgun, I am better at preparing the food after it is shot. In our house, we celebrate these God-given differences.
God instructed us to be fruitful and multiply. Wow, so much to say about this one. I will be blunt and honest and probably offend many with what I am going to say, but it is the truth. Be fruitful, right there black and white in the first chapter of the first book in the bible. With its prominent location, why is it so often overlooked? Be fruitful and multiply. Be fruitful and multiply, very simple. That means no birth control, no condoms, no vasectomy, no tubal ligation (for procreative reasons only), no homosexual acts, no abortion. Every time you engage with your spouse (yes, only your spouse) you need to be open to the transmission of life. Be fruitful and multiply. The Catholic Church in particular has come under attack recently for its stance on birth control especially with the release of the HHS mandate on birth control, sterilization and abortion coverage in health insurance plans. All Christian churches teach the bible, and there it is in the bible no birth control, sterilization or abortion. You can think that the Catholic Church is out of touch with the modern world. If you think this, you are more right that you even realize. The Catholic Church is out of touch with the modern world and for good reason. The modern world is screwed up and backwards. The Catholic Church is in touch with God's world. The Church is in touch with God's way, not man's way. The Church will not conform to the newest trend in society because the Church is bigger than society. The Church's firm stance on so many "controversial" issues makes it an easy target because unlike a politician, it doesn't change its view to fit the occasion.
God created us man and woman with unique characteristics and He instructed us to be fruitful and multiply. Which leads me back to my point, the greatest joy of womanhood is to do God's will. By doing God's will we will be woman and fruitful. The greatest joy of womanhood is to bring forth life. I sincerely hope you can see the dignity of a woman and see how it is everything that she is. The joy of womanhood is to be a true woman. Not an almost man or an empty vessel to be used for physical pleasure, a full woman with the potential to give life.
God Bless!
Hannah
The Farmer's Wife
I could get way off my original topic here and dive into why this explanation makes so much sense in what seems to be a modern society so lost and searching for happiness in all the wrong places. But I won't for now, that may be a post in the near future. What I want to focus on today is the joy of womanhood, specifically the greatest joy of womanhood.
Now, I am sure you can think of a few songs off the top of your head that describe the happiness and power of being a woman. Two that top my list are Man, I feel like a woman and I will survive. What I love about these songs is that while society is telling us that women are just as good as men, these songs are praising women for being women. A woman is not good because or only if she can do everything as well as a man can. A woman is good because she has a whole set of skills that only she can do.
And that leads me to the greatest joy of womanhood: the act of bringing forth life. Based on my previous explanation of joy, in order for it to truly be joy it has to be from or of God. Also, in order for it to be the greatest joy of womanhood it has to be something that is unique to woman. While I wish that just putting those two things out there as explanation was enough, today's society makes it abundantly clear that we have completely lost sight of both of these things. I am not sure one is any easier to explain than the other and they are intertwined so thoroughly. God gives life. God created the world, everything in it, on it and above it. He created man and woman in His own image and instructed them to be fruitful, multiply and subdue the earth. Simple enough but overlooked by many, even those considering themselves Christian.
God created us man and woman. Each gender has unique characteristics that the other gender does not possess. These differences should be celebrated. A woman is not less than a man, she is different from a man. It is a good thing that women cannot do everything a man does. Women are different than men and it is a good thing. I consider myself fairly fit and strong, but Leron can still out lift and out endurance me any day and he doesn't even go to the gym 3 times a week, workout with a personal trainer or read articles about nutrition, proper exercise or health. He could also eat a cheeseburger and large fries and wash it down with a sugary drink 2 times a day for a week and not gain a single pound. If I ate that, I would put on 1 pound a day. He has strong hands that make him perfectly suited for doing the rough stuff, tending to cattle, tilling the ground, building things, fixing machinery, and protecting his girls. I have nimble hands that are perfectly suited for doing the soft stuff, holding my babies, bringing comfort with a touch, cooking, sewing, doing hair and creating beautiful music on a piano or flute. I don't want his job and he doesn't want mine. We are not made to be interchangeable. While he may be able to bring comfort with a touch, he is better at protecting in the first place. And while I may be able to shoot a shotgun, I am better at preparing the food after it is shot. In our house, we celebrate these God-given differences.
God instructed us to be fruitful and multiply. Wow, so much to say about this one. I will be blunt and honest and probably offend many with what I am going to say, but it is the truth. Be fruitful, right there black and white in the first chapter of the first book in the bible. With its prominent location, why is it so often overlooked? Be fruitful and multiply. Be fruitful and multiply, very simple. That means no birth control, no condoms, no vasectomy, no tubal ligation (for procreative reasons only), no homosexual acts, no abortion. Every time you engage with your spouse (yes, only your spouse) you need to be open to the transmission of life. Be fruitful and multiply. The Catholic Church in particular has come under attack recently for its stance on birth control especially with the release of the HHS mandate on birth control, sterilization and abortion coverage in health insurance plans. All Christian churches teach the bible, and there it is in the bible no birth control, sterilization or abortion. You can think that the Catholic Church is out of touch with the modern world. If you think this, you are more right that you even realize. The Catholic Church is out of touch with the modern world and for good reason. The modern world is screwed up and backwards. The Catholic Church is in touch with God's world. The Church is in touch with God's way, not man's way. The Church will not conform to the newest trend in society because the Church is bigger than society. The Church's firm stance on so many "controversial" issues makes it an easy target because unlike a politician, it doesn't change its view to fit the occasion.
God created us man and woman with unique characteristics and He instructed us to be fruitful and multiply. Which leads me back to my point, the greatest joy of womanhood is to do God's will. By doing God's will we will be woman and fruitful. The greatest joy of womanhood is to bring forth life. I sincerely hope you can see the dignity of a woman and see how it is everything that she is. The joy of womanhood is to be a true woman. Not an almost man or an empty vessel to be used for physical pleasure, a full woman with the potential to give life.
God Bless!
Hannah
The Farmer's Wife
Thursday, April 12, 2012
The Future
I have spent the last few days spending time with family, celebrating the wonderful Easter season and deciding what the future of my blog should be now that Lent is over.
It hasn't been easy updating my blog everyday. There isn't that much interesting stuff in the life of a housewife/stay at home mom in Batesville. But I have enjoyed the therapy aspect of getting my thoughts out of my head and down on paper.
I plan to continue the blog adding to it at least once a week or more frequently if a fun story comes up or I have a brilliant thought. (Those tend to occur when the house is clean and I get plenty of sleep, so not too often!)
I hope you continue to check in, leave comments and follow me. As always, any ideas or suggestions for topics are encouraged and welcomed!
God Bless!
Hannah
The Farmer's Wife
It hasn't been easy updating my blog everyday. There isn't that much interesting stuff in the life of a housewife/stay at home mom in Batesville. But I have enjoyed the therapy aspect of getting my thoughts out of my head and down on paper.
I plan to continue the blog adding to it at least once a week or more frequently if a fun story comes up or I have a brilliant thought. (Those tend to occur when the house is clean and I get plenty of sleep, so not too often!)
I hope you continue to check in, leave comments and follow me. As always, any ideas or suggestions for topics are encouraged and welcomed!
God Bless!
Hannah
The Farmer's Wife
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Open the Eyes of my Heart
This was just too beautiful not to share. It is a great way to sum up my blog from this Lenten season. I hope you enjoy the video.
Open the Eyes of my Heart
God Bless!
Hannah
The Farmer's Wife
Open the Eyes of my Heart
God Bless!
Hannah
The Farmer's Wife
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Holding Back
I think in one way or another we are all a product of our environment. I don't want to get into a nature v nurture debate but I truly think that if you're exposed to a positive behavior or idea long enough you will start doing that behavior. Likewise, the exposure to negative ideas and behaviors will also be repeted. So I can't really blame Leron for the particular quirk that sparked my thought process today. The blame really falls to my father-in-law Lee.
I have nothing but love and respect for Lee. He is an extremely caring, hardworking, loving husband and father. He has definitely taught Leron many lessons on being a good man, husband and father. I am thankful that my girls have a man like Lee in their lives who will protect and defend them. And his intimidating stature doesn't hurt with the whole defending thing! So with all these positives you may be thinking why blame him. That's a fair thought that I answer with one word; hoarding.
Lee saves everything. Now he is not so bad to be on a tv show, but I really think if he didn't have MaryLou he might get there. He stacks magazines on top of a cabinet because the cabinet itself is so full of more magazines. He helped re-do the girls room. We took the wooden knob off of a closet door. Lee got a little tin can, put the knob in it and instructed us to save it because you just never know when you might need a knob just like that. Leron told me he picked out the best gift for his dad's birthday coming up in June. The bad news, we would have to get two of them or Lee wouldn't use it. Why two? One to use, one to keep.
It is this mentality that Leron has acquired from his dad. Save it, hold it back, don't use it yet. I can't tell you the number of times I have gotten Leron tools that he just won't use because they are so nice and new and he doesn't want to break them. Have you seen these new Heinz ketchup cups that you can pour or dip? Leron got some of those with his lunch from DQ today. Did he use them? Of course not, he kept them because he might use them later. He will get new clothes and I might as well buy him two of everything because he won't wear it otherwise.
These quirks really do make me love these guys more. It is what makes them unique and interesting. But this holding back got me thinking of what I hold back. Am I giving my all every day as I cook, clean, do the laundry, run errands? How many days do I end the day with the list of things I didn't get done today that I hope I get done tomorrow? How many times have I held something back from God afraid to use my gift or talent for his glory?
There seems never to be enough hours in the day to get done what needs to be done, but what if there were no more tomorrows? I am not sure if I stood in front of Saint Peter at the Pearly Gates tonight I could confidently say I gave my all. I am not sure the gifts that were given to me weren't buried. So I hope for another day, pray for strength, confidence and courage and wake up to try harder.
What are you holding back from God? Your spouse? Your kids? Your family? Your work? Yourself?
Lenten Daily Challenge: Forgive an offense you may have suffered and let God by the final judge
God Bless!
Hannah
The Farmer's Wife
I have nothing but love and respect for Lee. He is an extremely caring, hardworking, loving husband and father. He has definitely taught Leron many lessons on being a good man, husband and father. I am thankful that my girls have a man like Lee in their lives who will protect and defend them. And his intimidating stature doesn't hurt with the whole defending thing! So with all these positives you may be thinking why blame him. That's a fair thought that I answer with one word; hoarding.
Lee saves everything. Now he is not so bad to be on a tv show, but I really think if he didn't have MaryLou he might get there. He stacks magazines on top of a cabinet because the cabinet itself is so full of more magazines. He helped re-do the girls room. We took the wooden knob off of a closet door. Lee got a little tin can, put the knob in it and instructed us to save it because you just never know when you might need a knob just like that. Leron told me he picked out the best gift for his dad's birthday coming up in June. The bad news, we would have to get two of them or Lee wouldn't use it. Why two? One to use, one to keep.
It is this mentality that Leron has acquired from his dad. Save it, hold it back, don't use it yet. I can't tell you the number of times I have gotten Leron tools that he just won't use because they are so nice and new and he doesn't want to break them. Have you seen these new Heinz ketchup cups that you can pour or dip? Leron got some of those with his lunch from DQ today. Did he use them? Of course not, he kept them because he might use them later. He will get new clothes and I might as well buy him two of everything because he won't wear it otherwise.
These quirks really do make me love these guys more. It is what makes them unique and interesting. But this holding back got me thinking of what I hold back. Am I giving my all every day as I cook, clean, do the laundry, run errands? How many days do I end the day with the list of things I didn't get done today that I hope I get done tomorrow? How many times have I held something back from God afraid to use my gift or talent for his glory?
There seems never to be enough hours in the day to get done what needs to be done, but what if there were no more tomorrows? I am not sure if I stood in front of Saint Peter at the Pearly Gates tonight I could confidently say I gave my all. I am not sure the gifts that were given to me weren't buried. So I hope for another day, pray for strength, confidence and courage and wake up to try harder.
What are you holding back from God? Your spouse? Your kids? Your family? Your work? Yourself?
Lenten Daily Challenge: Forgive an offense you may have suffered and let God by the final judge
God Bless!
Hannah
The Farmer's Wife
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Final Preparation
We have begun the final week of Lent. Easter is just around the corner. We are getting ready to celebrate at our house...
How are preparations coming at your house? Do you have decorations up, baskets out, eggs ready to be dyed and hidden?
How about your heart? Is it ready to receive Jesus this Easter?
Lenten Daily Challenge: Notice someone who may be hungry for love or attention and satisfy that hunger.
God Bless!
Hannah
The Farmer's Wife
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