“Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor the fruit be on the vines; yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk 3:17-18

“And he said, ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ ” Job 1:21

The drought on the central coast in 2014 has made a big impact on my life and family. With no affordable food and no grass on the hills to feed the cows we shipped cattle to sell and also shipped a few to Oregon. Through reading “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young and reading scripture, I am encouraged to rejoice in the Lord. I am reminded that God is with me through the drought. He will watch over me and my family constantly. Nothing – including the extremes of so much rain causing flooding that washes out dams to the driest drought years that leave the land bare – can separate me from God. At Grieb Ranch some of us seem to find God more during the dark times, when our difficulties force us to depend on Him. Others of us feel closer to God when our lives are filled with good things. I am learning to respond to both with thanksgiving and praise. God is amazing in that he knows precisely what I/we need to draw nearer to him. I am learning to go through each day looking for what he has prepared for me. I need to accept every event – droughts included – as a hand tailored provision of my needs. I must remember when I view my life that way the most logical response is to be thankful. I must not reject any of God’s gifts, and find God in every situation. “Blessed be the name of the Lord, He Gives and takes away.”  – Devotional by Connie Grieb Willems

Matt Redmond singing the song “Blessed Be Your Name”