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Dean,
Funny how things appear as we each look through different eyes.

I have a long time friend and his name is also Dean. He used to live in this area and had a tough time of it, as he wrestled with drinking, the burden of the feeling accomplishment, because there wasn’t a challenging job for him. I’m not sure if he drank heavily because he couldn’t keep a job and thrive, or if he couldn’t thrive because he drank heavily, but certainly both fed the cycle of the other. He was quite a broken man. In ways that I could, I helped, but sometimes helping can actually hurt.

Then he moved to a position within his field, out of state, to a rural location, where the roots of his early life began and closer to his children. He began to thrive again.

Not too long ago, he bought a few acres and a home. He’s back to what is really important and he’s thriving even more now that he has the time to work his land. He’s like a school kid with his flick of egg laying hens, upgrading and perfecting their coop, tiling his garden,c planting, clearing the paths...You name it. We joke, calling him Farmer Dean.

Yes this is all truthful.
He may read this, because I share FR articles with him, but he doesn’t post here.

He and I have been friends for many years and even frenemies at times, but man to man, he’s a good soul.

So those are what these eyes see in this note to you.
I’m reminded of my friend farmer Dean.

With the same care and compassion I would tell him, I am telling you... I sincerely hope good things for you. You know the good the Lord had laid before you. The challenges He’s helped you endure and overcome. The joys you’ve been blessed with because His hand is upon you. So too, even now, His hand is upon you,cleaning His Spirit in and upon you.

The sad part is that we often hide behind screen names here. I’m guilty of this. It’s the internet after all and we should be safe behind our anonymity. Real names don’t appear here often. So there is a paradox of sorts...We come here to exchange ideas, share stories, dig for truth and very occasionally meet each other to mobilize a movement.

But, like my friend Dean, we’re sometimes far away from each other, like people are now as they wear masks and keep the distance. Like we do in public forums. The desire for community without the risk of personal harm, without truly being known in real life to each other. Relationship at a distance.

But it, in pure truth, shouldn’t be this way. We weren’t created for “relationship/friendship at a safe distance”

So, I guess I say all this as a foundation to hopefully convey my sincerity...

Thank you for actually posting your real name. It shows you’re genuine. Find the joy and gratitude in this life and let it strengthen you. Look back from your plow and see the land you’ve tilled and give God thanks for the blessings of a job well done.

My words to God are your name, before His throne, with the same genuineness as if they were for a friend named Dean, who I’ve known for many years. May He give you strength, joy in gratitude, peace in the midst of this storm, and loving family to help you through the storm.

I pray His will and healing for you.

Jan