The skeleton of a partially framed pole barn sits diagonally from the house. After sitting unfinished for years, all of the boards, except the pressure treated posts concreted into the ground, had begun to deteriorate. Like all of our projects out here we saw something broken, almost unusable; something most people would tear down and forget about, but we saw potential. Matt decided he wanted to build out the pole barn using only the original posts. So, Matt and the boys got to work and began clearing the top soil underneath and removing the deteriorating wood.
The boys decided to start burning off the rotten wood while Matt was on the tractor. I really think they just wanted a reason to start a fire! 😉
Chief always stays with Matt when he’s outside working.
This broken, unusable, and forgotten building reminds me of the incredible work that God does in each of our hearts when we allow Him to be Lord of our lives. All of us have experienced brokenness, feelings of uselessness, and being forgotten. However, when we allow God to work in our lives he takes these feelings, whether perceived or reality, and begins a new “work” within us. As it is written in Isaiah, “He creates beauty from ashes, hope from despair.” Just like in this project, the boys had to go in and remove the rotten pieces, along with preparing a new foundation before the building was ready to be constructed. We have to be willing to surrender to God’s will before He gives us the vision for what lies ahead and the strength to see it through. Sometimes the most difficult part of something new is the demand of tearing out what we’ve become accustomed to and being willing to allow a new work to begin which often takes time, sacrifice, and discipline; not to mention faith and trust that God is in control and knows what He is doing. I love how God can bring examples of his goodness and love through everyday life experiences.
Isaiah 61:3
“…In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.”
Would like to say, burying, rather than burning wood, really makes for great soil! Hugelkulture is a version where whole logs are buried, but branches etc work faster. Of course, some moisture must exist. And brushpiles make for bunny and quail habitat. Every leaf and wood scrap from my land goes into short or long term compost… and back into the soil. Some N is used. Have any pal with manure producing critters? Add some atop the wood debris as you bury. Worms love this soil type, and btw, they dig calcium, so eggshells and chicken bones are great, as long as bones are not near the surface.