a surrender - 63

(Continuing "a surrender", chapter seven, "freely have you received, freely give") 

Throughout these years on the farm, in our retreats and also in our other work, we remembered what Jesus had told his followers: “Freely have you received, freely give.” Jesus had helped people in many ways, and had always offered his help for free. This meant he could do the work he felt was best, for the people who needed it most, without worrying whether he would get paid for it. He could be single-minded in his work, focusing only on the needs of the people he was serving. He didn’t need to think about what he would get out of it, because God would take care of his needs. “Do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried,” Jesus told his followers, “for everyone seeks after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.” And God did provide all that Jesus needed, in a variety of ways. Many people welcomed him into their homes, and fed him at their tables. People sometimes gave him money, though he didn’t ask for it. Jesus cared for others, and others cared for him—not because they had to, but because they loved him. So everything he received was a gift, an act of love. And he stayed poor and humble, always dependent on that love, as God inspired it. How wondrously different this was from the way work and business are usually done! I had to find out if this was possible for me. And Heather agreed. So we didn’t ask for any payment for our work on the farm, and we tried to live on what the community, and others, offered to give us.

We knew living this way seemed unlikely to work for long. And the added needs of a family made it seem even less likely. We lived simply and kept our needs low. But we knew it would be impossible to “freely give” and still get everything we needed unless God was supporting us. People warned us that it wouldn’t work. That was scary to contemplate, especially now that Heather was dependent on this with me. But we believed God could make it work. We were also encouraged and inspired by the generosity of friends and family. And by the people who came for our retreats. If they could trust the power of God to drive away their demons, we could trust our lives to that power as well.

And, somehow, it did work. The community didn’t charge us for our housing, or for the retreat space. People shared rides in their cars. Good, fresh food came from the farm and from Heather’s own garden. A dentist friend offered his services at a generous discount. Medical care was free because our income was so low. And many different people donated money, for our use and for our retreats.

After four years on the farm, we began feeling that our life was stable enough to try to have a child. And a few weeks later, we found out that Heather was pregnant. It was good timing. The child should come soon after the farming season ended. We looked forward to that day with joy and eagerness.

 

Continued...