If Grandma Lived on the Third Tee

I changed the name of the blog this morning. With some encouragement and advice from Grant, I realized the original title really did not preview just what is in my heart for the purpose of this blog.

The original title does, however, give you an idea of just who I am.

My maternal grandparents lived in the middle of the country. They had a beautiful piece of land with plenty of room for a pond, large garden, hen house, duck house, bunny pen, cows and horses at one point...a kids dream place with a ton of running around room, plenty of go-kart space (did you know if you are not paying attention you can actually run a go-kart UP a tree!?!) and great lessons on how to live simply.

Grandma cooked with bacon grease, butter, fresh eggs, catfish from the pond, vegetables grown a hundred yards away and a well-seasoned cast iron skillet.  Processed food was not in her pantry. Granddaddy was growing organic produce well before organic was "in". Clothes were dried on a line in the back yard. Water came from a well out back (the best tasting water with no bottle required). Grandma sewed many of our clothes. At one point I resented it, but then came to greatly appreciate the fact that I got to pick out the pattern and fabric of what I wore and have it hand-tailored to fit me. When we got to their home we knew without a doubt we were loved. Grandma often expressed that love through her food. I am very much the same. Our kitchen is the source of just how I care for our family, friends and strangers.

As a wife and mother, I am finding that day-by-day, I want to live like Grandma - cooking fresh food, avoiding processed junk, drinking water straight from the tap. I just have to it all while living in the middle of a golf course.

From the outside looking in, I imagine our life looks very different than how it is actually lived. When folks learn of where we live they assume we are "country club people". I am not really sure what that means, but it usually is said with a disparaging look. Funny thing is, we are "country club people". We overlook the third tee of a golf course; we splash around in a club pool; we exercise in the club's fitness center; we dine in its club house.  We have been given a tremendous blessing in being part of  this club, but also feel a tremendous burden to be the Lord's Light to those with whom we interact when we are there. You see, people that feel they have it all, are often the ones that really have nothing. Their "all" is not Jesus. Our mission field may be a bit prettier than others, but it's still a mission field.

By the way, if you are on the third tee and are greeted by two very friendly children waving and yelling, "HI!" please ignore the fact that they may have on nothing more than undies and just say "hi!" back.