Yevet Tenney

In the beginning, when God looked upon the vast chaos of eternity and the darkness of the water, He said, “Let there be light” and saw the light was good. He divided the light from the darkness and christened the day and night.

Recently, our community held a fast for rain. The drought here has been the worst in my lifetime. Arizona has always been dry, but now it is burning up. We didn’t get the usual winter snow and spring rains, so we are fearful of forest fires – and with good reason.

Recently, I saw a picture of the new male trend in fashion. The two men were wearing high heels, long coats and dangling earrings and jewelry. Their man buns looked liked women’s fashions 50 years ago. What is this world coming to? I was suddenly glad I grew up in a world where there was no blurring of the genders.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” I have long been puzzled by the word “meek.” It is one of those elusive concepts that has no adequate definition but seems to be more important than any other attribute of Jesus.

Growing up on a cattle ranch, I have spent many hours in the saddle on cattle drives. The cattle needed to be moved to greener pastures, no matter what the weather. Some days were bright and shiny and a pleasure to saddle up and ride out on the range. Some days, the wind was blowing dust in billows to where you almost couldn’t breathe.

This morning, I walked in the new plowed earth thinking of the changing seasons. My feet sank deep into the rich brown soil. I remember the many gardens I had planted and watched the plants grow to harvest. I love to garden, and I owe that love to my mother.