Old Barns and Contentment

Old barns are one of my favorite things to photograph.

I love their rustic charm and abandoned tranquility.

The fruit of man's labor, providing for his family,

built strong enough to withstand the elements of time for years to come.

Unique as individuals,

resting contentedly where they have been placed no matter how rough the 
terrain. 

Contentment; one of my favorite words.
— adj

1.	mentally or emotionally satisfied with things as they are.
2.	assenting to or willing to accept circumstances, a proposed course of action, etc.

— vb
3.	( tr ) to make (oneself or another person) content or satisfied: to content oneself with property
— n
4.	peace of mind; mental or emotional satisfaction

I am content in my home, 
where someone is always running up and down the stairs,
where the piano rings loudly in high acoustical ceilings
and adult sons are always challenging each other to see who is strongest.
The sound of my family.

But I am also content to be alone in the quiet and stillness.

I'd be content to grab my well worn quilt and climb to the loft,
with the aroma of fresh hay in the mist of the morning.

I'd spend hours sorting out life's problems.
The things I'd like to change, but can't.
Needing courage to change the things I can.
And praying for wisdom........who doesn't need wisdom?

Content in the noise, content in the stillness.
For it is His voice I hear in the hush.
May I be content in Him, no matter the terrain.

Undoubtedly, that would lead me to praise and gratitude
for the blessings in my life I could have never orchestrated,
beyond my imagination are His gifts to me.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jer. 29:11

I rest in Him,

content in Him.

I crawl down from the loft, dripping in hope.

I photographed each of these barns on a recent trip to NC and TN.