Behind the Barn Doors

The barn doors flew open, allowing the familiar pungent farm smell and a couple chickens to escape. Amanda had a job to do, and she took pride in helping her Aunt Mable. At fourteen years of age, she had an option to stay home on her own or make the annual summer trip to her great-aunt’s farm. This tradition started a few years back, when her local summer programs had shut down and her parents needed help while they both worked full time. That first summer wasn’t met with great excitement, but now Amanda found these summer adventures on the farm to be a much anticipated time away from her five story apartment building. This barn had become like home in ways she never imagined it would. Aunt Mable was now one of her favorite people, who spoke to her differently than anyone else she knew.

“Here’s the ones you asked for.” Amanda said as she set down the hammered metal buckets by the stool her aunt was resting on. “Today’s the day you finish showing me how to milk that cow on my own, right?”

“Well, well! I do say! You have truly grown into a farm girl after all.” Aunt Mable praised and giggled. “Remember how much the smells of this place offended you on your first visit?”

“Well, like you said back then… Apparently, I got used to it!” She said, pulling up her own stool.

“You can do hard things, sweet girl. Always remember that!”

The lesson went on for almost a half hour, and even though Amanda knew she was learning the skill of milking a cow, she was also aware of the wisdom and love her great-aunt poured out. She watched her as she methodically and rhythmically moved her fingers without really thinking about it. Amanda did everything she could to duplicate her aunt’s movements and posture, and knew from other farm tasks, she would need a little practice to be as productive as she wanted to be.

“You’ll just get a feel for it and before you know it, you’re done!” Aunt Mable assured. “I believe in you!”

Aunt Mable had been a widow for five years, and on a daily basis gave God the glory for sustaining her. This was the other reason Amanda loved her time on the farm each year. Her first summer visiting, while sitting in the back of the church down the road from the farm, Amanda heard God call her name. The ladies in the church gave her a Bible of her own and she read it as often as she could. Aunt Mable modeled service too. She hosted weekly dinners for widows in the church, and it was Amanda’s job to help prepare the table.

“So, I was thinking about something,” Amanda started off, “The weekly dinners you host could be more of a family atmosphere with a few additions. I know, your table in the house only holds 10, but each week I hear the ladies mention their grandkids or sons and daughters who are visiting. What if we cleaned up this side of the barn and strung lights and flower garlands over that beam, and borrowed a couple tables we could cover with linen and make place cards with scripture or words of encouragement…?”

Before she could continue, Aunt Mable chimed in. “Beautiful girl, you just spoke the details that have been brewing in my heart for months now. Do you really think extended family members would want to come?”

“Oh, yes! I know what being here, being with YOU, does for my spirits and I see how uplifted the ladies are when they leave each week. This would give their family a chance to see how loved their mom or grandma is, and maybe even find encouragement themselves!?”

Aunt Mable took a deep breath and wiped a small tear forming from her eye. “If you are really up for the extra work it will take, I think we should do it! I just love the heart you have for others. God is growing you! Can you feel it?”

“I’m not sure if that’s what I feel or not. I just know I feel more like you with each passing summer, and I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather be like!”

“Oh, sweet girl. That is nice of you to say, but let’s strive to be like Jesus. Love God and love people.” Aunt Mable gave her a hug with one arm, then stood up and straightened her apron. “I have some phone calls to make and we have some recipes to go through. Let’s plan this dinner for Saturday!”

Aunt Mable disappeared beyond the open barn doors, and Amanda scanned the space above and around her. This barn had been such a blessing to her, and possibly an answer to prayer she didn’t even know she needed in her life. Her parents were good people, but their jobs kept them so busy. She had never been to church in her own town, but for three months a year, she stepped into this simple farm life filled with peace and love and she realized how much her soul craved that kind of connection. She nodded to herself as she thought about this barn becoming a place they could make connections with others.

“Amanda!” Aunt Mable’s voice rang out. “Great news! I’ve already lined up four tables, and Pastor wants to donate a box of mismatched antique plates. Let’s run to the store to see about lights and linens.”

Amanda couldn’t contain her grin. She slowly backed out of the barn, taking in one last look before closing the big doors behind her. “I guess that’s confirmation too, right?” She replied. “God seems to be opening doors and making a way! And when He is in it, it cannot fail!”

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The day had arrived. The preparations went quickly, and a couple ladies joined in with food contributions. The neighboring farmer came and hung the lights over the beams and placed bales of alfalfa for the guests to sit on. Amanda took charge of her area… the table. Not too fancy or stuffy, but welcoming and peaceful. The mismatched dinner plates were a variety of floral patterns and a full spectrum of colors. The table coverings were a simple blue and cream stripe fabric left over from a church production. The linen napkins they borrowed or purchased were cream in color and some had crocheted lace, while others a simple frayed raw edge. She alternated these next to the place settings and added a single wildflower from the garden next to the water glasses. Down the center of the table she placed rose petals and green leaves, and individual cards folded in half with names on each one. She placed the final card, then stepped back to examine her work.

“Oh, my!” Aunt Mable came in with the breeze, “The barn has never looked so beautiful! You have quite the knack for setting a table, sweet girl!”

“All that’s missing are the people.” Amanda said with a smile. “Is there anything else I can do to help you?”

“Not really. The food is just about ready, so we should probably go get ourselves ready too!”

“God is in the details. May He be glorified in this place!” Aunt Mable said as she gently closed the barn doors and held her niece’s hand, headed to the house. Their guests would arrive soon, and all their hard work was about to be received by familiar faces and a handful of new ones.

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The guests arrived, all eight of the regular attenders, as well as their extended family members. They introduced granddaughters and daughters-in-law and nieces, and even a few sons made the list. The friendly chatter filled the barn, finishing off Amanda’s desired atmosphere. Aunt Mable interrupted the socializing with a gentle chime of her fork against her glass. “Thank you all for coming. This is the first of hopefully many opportunities we’ll have to open our barn and share a meal. God gave me a blessing a few summers ago when he showed me the importance of opening up my life to a young girl. Her presence on my farm brought a youthful excitement to my routine and showed me how much life I still had in me… and it wasn’t for me to keep it to myself. My great-niece Amanda had the idea for this very event grow in her heart and together we made it come to life. Each one of you has been prayed for and it is our pleasure to get to know each of you, as we have gotten to know your mom or grandmother. So… let’s bless the food and each other through continued fellowship!”

Aunt Mable winked at Amanda from her side of the table, then prayed. It was in this moment Amanda realized this blessing went both ways. She never thought about Aunt Mable being blessed by her visiting. She knew what it had meant to her own life, but this was the first time she saw how God used it for both of them. And now He was using them as a team to bless others.

Conversations swirled over casseroles and salads. Laughter made each dessert taste even better. The barn was abounding in blessing as friendships were made and connections went deeper. Everyone chipped in with clean up and washed and returned dishes to storage boxes. No one wanted the night to end, but as it did, Amanda and Aunt Mable couldn’t decipher between elation and exhaustion. As the final car drove down the tree-lined driveway, the pair sat on the porch swing. “You put on a beautiful dinner, sweet girl!”

“Oh, I only set the table!” Amanda replied. ‘You did so much cooking, and everyone loved the food!”

“This was our shared vision, but I really fed off of your energy and excitement.” Aunt Mable said, folding her hands in her lap. “I meant every word I said tonight too. My life was given a boost when you entered. I’ll be forever grateful for the circumstances that required your parents reaching out for help. I wasn’t sure how I’d entertain a young girl, at my age, but these last few summers have changed me. I believe they’ve changed you too!”

Overcome with emotion, but trying to contain it, Amanda smiled. “That first summer, I was more mad that I couldn’t just stay home by myself like all of my friends… until I got here. You were different than anyone I’d ever spent time with. You were joyful and patient, kind to strangers, forgiving when I messed up, and I loved coming downstairs in the mornings to see your Bible on your lap as you napped in the chair. You took me to church, and I now have my own relationship with Jesus. Tonight was great, and I know people had fun. But my life has been forever changed because of you. I know, I know… because of Jesus. But I see Him in you, and I hope people see Him in me too.”

“Beautiful girl, I definitely see Him in you! The longer you walk with Him and allow Him access to your heart, the more you will demonstrate Christ to others without even realizing it. And take it from this old lady… He never stops refining us. You are never too old to receive from Him or to give to others. And the more you seek Him, the better you’ll know His voice and respond to His leading. It really is as simple as loving God and loving people.”

The moon was rising just over the barn. The porch swing made a rhythmic squeak with each back and forth. Crickets and frogs could be heard in the distance. Amanda and Aunt Mable took it all in in silence, overflowing with gratitude for all God had done for them.