A River Runs Through It -

Down on the Farm - A River Runs Through It
by Barbara Henderson

There we were, strolling through a garden like version of a primitive farm. All the animals were there, housed in modern pens. There were even special rooms for the older animals who might feel a bit of discomfort at the chilly fall weather. From my somewhat experienced eye, I noticed that the pens for the chickens and rabbits were virtually varmint proof. I think a grizzly bear could have broken in, but not likely anything else. (Of course on a REAL farm, there wouldn’t be any animals old enough to feel discomfort by the chilly fall air. They would have been eaten before they got that old!)

The gardens were without weeds.
The large animals out in the weather all had on weather proof wool blankets to keep them warm.
The flowers, while native species, were pretty obviously grown in a nursery and transplanted in the gardens. A few extra pumpkins were sprinkled through the pumpkin patch to give the impression of bounty.
And, there was a creek running through all of it. It was just gorgeous.
The creek was really in a boggy swamp. To walk the banks of that creek would have been impossible without getting wet at least knee deep. However, there was a nice boardwalk, so we strolled along and stayed nice and dry at the same time.

And, my thoughts began to wander. I imagined a place I would like to live. It is always about the same. I don’t know exactly where on earth it is, but it is a lovely place. There is a reasonable home on it, set up just like I want it. It definitely has a wood burning heater near a large glass wall that overlooks a small valley with a lovely creek winding through it. There is usually a nice spring running straight out of the hill by the house. The importance of a water source near the house cannot be overstated. That spring fills a little fish pond right by the window, and then the water spills over and runs down the hill to the bigger creek. While the view of the creek is spectacular, the house is well above any possibility of being flooded when the creek overflows during heavy rains.

Most people who think of living in the country think of some sort of farm land with its own water source. A beautiful babbling brook is necessary at the very least to make the picture complete. Of course there would be an absolutely huge porch. Part of the porch would be more enclosed more like a sun room. I could sit there in cooler weather, and still have the feeling of being outdoors. It could be sort of a solar collector on cool days. That would make the cost worth it. The rest of the porch would be used for sitting on balmy evenings. We would sip tea and watch for fire flies. I think we would also independently wealthy. Then we wouldn’t have to worry about any of the bills.

Actually living on a farm would be a hard life. The work would simply never get done. You wouldn’t have a lot of time to really enjoy the scenery. It could be a good life, filled with satisfaction and family love; but, it would still be a hard life. To make extra money, the ‘wanna be’ farmers would probably have some sort of exotic animal like llamas. They would plan to sell the wool, which might or might not work out. The llamas would definitely spit every time anyone got near them, and eat year round whether or not any wool was ever actually sold..

Then, I thought of something. Here on earth most people have some sort of dream idea of where they want to live, what sort of house, and how much land they want. Some of us will get pretty close to our dreams. Some of us will never even come close. For those who achieve their dream living place, it will only be a temporary place. Everyone will eventually leave their earthly home and go on to their eternal home. For those who have answered the call of the Holy Spirit to repent and turn to Christ, there is a wonderful future beyond this life. There is a real place called heaven, and that place will be the home of all Christians. I think all the inhabitants of heaven will have view property. There won’t be a place there that isn’t beyond anything we have seen, or heard about, or conceived in our wildest thoughts. The very last chapter of the last book of the Bible tells some of the details of that wonderful place.

If you are weary today, or just a little tired, open the Bible and read the last chapter of the last book. I love a happy ending.

Revelation 22
1And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
4And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
5And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
6And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
7Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
8And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
9Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
10And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
11He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
16I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
18For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Don’t you just love it? But if you need a little more cheer, listen to this Gospel Medley on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAFQbuAvH58
I’ll Fly Away and several other songs.

Barbara