Seasonal Cycles

This period of 49 days between Passover/Unleavened Bread and Shavuot, or seven sabbaths, an omer (a measurement of about 3 and a half litres) of barley was offered with the daily sacrifices, which gives  name to the Judaic tradition of Counting the Omer. 

It can be custom to use this time to reflect and prepare oneself in preparation for Shavout, part of which is a time to express joy and gratitude for the giving of the torah to Moses on Mount Sinai.  This season of preparation and anticipation isn't a time for spiritual flagellation, which would only produce pride in one's own false humility, but simply to give time to the work of the Ruach and being responsive to YHVH's promptings.

As I was planting some persimmon trees that Brendan had propagated I was thinking about the effects of the seasonal climate on the orchard.  The fruit trees are losing their leaves and exposing their bare branches, allowing the promise of small spring buds to be seen.  To me this was a poignant reminder that even though there is a season for dying to oneself and allowing the self-serving aspects of our humanity to be refined, this process also reveals the promise of growth and fruit that has is powerfully wrought by our Creator.

We have been discussing in our fellowship times how the example Yeshua gave us of being a servant should be foundational to our lives.  (Matthew 20:20-28)  Community can be a beautiful conduit of this attitude.  How do we know if we struggle with pride if we don't have relationship and fellowship with others?  How can we assist and serve others if we aren't involved in each other's lives?  Being part of a like-minded community provides not only an opportunity for me to serve, but also others to be of service to me, which I think is actually a very real litmus test of my pride!  

The flock is lambing and to date we have about 25 lambs born.  We bought the flock in last week as one of the ewes had a lame front leg but it must have been a stone between her toes so all is well.

This weekend coming we will be gathering together up here for shabbat and some will be staying the night so we can spend the next day doing some chores.  Over the next month or so we will be relocating the stock yards and installing new gates and fencing.  

 We will also be planting more trees and hopefully they will establish well while the soil is still warm.  The trees we planted 6 years ago are doing well, although the flock do nibble the smaller ones back.  We have been fencing off this planting but there are enough taller established trees to withstand the browsing.

It has been mentioned to me in the past by people who have not been able to visit Hebron that they had images that the house here was a shack.  I obviously like to enjoy the views and livestock of Hebron because they're the subject of the photos, so my next post will focus on the farmhouse.  

Blessings to all!