I will be the first to admit, I am not a fan of surprises. No matter the type, if someone has a surprise for me, my stomach churns and I think “oh no, what if it’s not what I expect?” No matter my predisposition to surprises, God tends to use the unexpected— that is surprises, in the most profound ways in my life.
If you’re reading this post, it’s safe to assume you’re already somewhat familiar with Glenhaven Farms (and if not be sure to scroll on to read all about us). Susan—my mom—has been sure to introduce you to many of the animals and what the Lord says through our wild experiences with them, but here you’ll read how a piece of property in the little town of Avery changed my life.
In late 2014 as I was working my way through college God did something unexpected. He brought my mom to Glenhaven Farm, and by proxy me too. Sure I had always known about this dream of hers to move away and become a farmer, but if we’re honest I didn’t think it would happen the way it did!
Early 2015 looked rough for this young city girl as I sulked my way through this unexpected transition. Isn’t that so like us as Christians? I am so guilty of thinking to myself “God, why would you do this to me? Don’t you know how I feel about this?” I feel that way more often than I care to admit, but the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit always whispers kind words back to me. Jeremiah 29:11-13 paved the way for the work God did in me that year. No matter how The Lord tried to reassure and steady me through that process, I ran away from the country life like Jonah did from Ninevah, until God hit me again with something unexpected.
Fall 2015 felt like I was riding an avalanche with nothing but the clothes on my back. My family was in disarray from navigating through the death of a loved one, and I began staying with my mom here at Glenhaven more often. I decided spontaneously one Saturday morning in October to come and visit. She told me to hurry and be safe, but also warned me that she was hosting an event for her new local church kids for Halloween, and a lot of new people would be around.
Long story short, one of those people happened to be the man I would marry just a few years later. I had no interest in a relationship with someone who lived away from my City and my School, but like I said God uses the unexpected to change us and shape our character in the most profound ways. Here I am, four years away from that unexpected event, humbled and more thankful than ever for this little farm.
Surprises are still hard, but rest assured that God is faithful and true and He means what He says when He tells us his ways are higher. (See Isaiah 55:8-9 captioned under my picture from above)