Articles by Deborah Subetto

Shelter in the Storm

We have had a LOT of rain this summer. Mowing the grass in late August in Maryland typically means stirring up dust clouds once every 7 to 10 days just to keep the lawn tidy. But this year the mower is choking on the thick grass and the blades are as dull as a butter knife from overuse. My boots squish in the swampy fields on the way to the pasture and I am so thankful that all this precipitation is falling as rain and not snow.

Strong thunderstorms rumbled through the area this evening. This was the loudest thunder, the hardest rain and the strongest wind of the season. Between down pours I went to out check on the animals, the fences and the shelters. I counted heads and tails – everyone accounted for – although a few tails were wagging from underneath the feeders and beds! No trees down on fences but I tagged some limbs that need to go before the next storm.

The rain came so hard and fast this time that some of the smaller shelters flooded. The duck pen was under water and water was rising in Rosie’s pen. I already moved the rabbits inside. Rosie and her chicks were coming in too. The ducks will share the chicken coop on higher ground. Everyone will have a safe, dry place to lay their head tonight…and I will fall asleep to gentle snores of exhausted pups, the rustling of rabbits in the hay and muffled “peep-peeps” of the chicks tucked under mama’s wings.

We all need a safe place, a shelter from the storms: A pure heart that offers grace, open arms that offer comfort, strong shoulders that carry our pain, gentle hands that wipe away our tears, and wisdom that points us to the best path. Our souls long for this kind of security in relationships. We are created to love and to be loved…and we spend a life time learning how to do this well.

There is a Master of safe places and security. Scripture, and moments like these (dark, loud thunderstorms!), remind us that He sees us hiding under the benches. He knows when it’s time to trim our branches. AND we can live securely in His presence and under his wings knowing that he meets us in our storms. We find our strength and security in the shelter Jesus offers. His is a shelter of unconditional love for our broken hearts and rest for our tired souls… no matter our circumstances, no matter our storm. That is beautiful security.

“I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; My God is my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:1-2

I Will Take the Rain

I checked the forecast before I went to sleep last night. No rain expected until mid-morning…awesome, plenty of time to finish morning chores and stay dry!

Before my eyes opened this morning, my ears identified the pitter-patter rhythm of rain drumming on my metal roof – and I knew (sigh) that the forecast was off. So, I donned my raincoat and muck boots and picked up my milking pail and started my chores.

As a farmer, I check weather apps often. It is helpful to plan chores around the weather conditions. It would be even more helpful if the forecasters were accurate.

I guess even with specialized equipment and technology, the forces of nature are still impossible to predict with certainty. We are going to encounter unpredicted storms in life. It might be a drizzle, it might be a hurricane – but we do not always see what is coming.

Those unexpected situations challenge us because they are not part of our perfect plan for our perfect life. But the truth is, we can’t grow closer to Christ – we can’t deepen our faith and live out HIS love – if we haven’t been challenged, shaken and maybe even broken.

As long as we insist on controlling our lives, there is no room for course corrections. Hearing, discerning and obeying the voice of God requires faith and flexibility (an open spirit). So, because He loves you, He may bring or allow an unpredicted storm in your life for some “course correction”.

Pride is a wall that keeps God at a distance. Fear is burden that limits your ministry. Insecurity is a lie that pulls you away from your Godly calling. Arrogance is a distraction that turns people away. Addiction is a tool of the enemy to keep engaged in anything but the things of God.

Our Father in heaven, who can have anything He wants, wants YOU more than anything else. So He will allow storms to roll in and hit some of those walls! The situations and challenges that we did not plan for provide us an opportunity to choose Him, again; to love Him and to lean on Him; to re-commit to Him and to find our purpose in Him.

We can go through life, storms and all, on our own. But that is not the life I want. So I will take the storms and I will look for the lessons and the opportunity to see God’s plan for me through them. I will keep my heart soft and my spirit open so He can correct my course – for my good and for His Glory. What will you choose today?

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21

Pull the Weeds

Pulling weeds is one of my least favorite chores. When I can, I wait for a cool morning or pleasant evening to do this back-aching chore. I usually have helpers. Poppy and the chickens follow closely while I uproot all sorts of unwanted prickly, stemmy, tall, unattractive or unsafe vegetation from around their houses, pens and play areas. Their happy chatter cheers me on while I unearth a feast of juicy worms, slugs, grubs and crickets “just for them”. They will even gobble up an occasional long-legged, hairy, spider. (Ugh, I am so glad I am not a duck.)

I wear gloves to protect my hands from the thorns. Why do so many weeds have thorns?!

In ‘The Parable of the Sower’ (told in three of the gospels: Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, Luke 8:4-15) Jesus explains that the thorns/weeds represent things in our lives (such as worries, anxiety, pursuit of wealth) that “choke out” the Word of God (Mark 4:19), preventing us from being “fruitful” or “mature”. This is an excellent reminder to put God first, to keep our priorities straight and of the consequences of distractions.

There was something else I noticed while I was pulling those prickly weeds today. These were not the same weeds I pulled out last time. These were not the same weeds grown back, or seeds grown up from last year’s weeds – no, I was pulling a totally different species of weed (if that is the right way to say it!).

Last year, I pulled out dozens (felt like a million) of tall, spiny, thistle plants. They invaded the pasture play and grazing spaces. I was intentional about digging out the whole root – so they wouldn’t come back. And they didn’t. I don’t know what kind of plants I pulled today, but they were definitely not thistles. There were, however, just as invasive and unwanted in my healthy pasture!

The enemy is sneaky like that. If you conquer one insecurity, distraction, weakness – he looks for another way in. Pull one “weed” and a different one grows in it’s place. Be careful. Stay humble, stay alert, stay focused on the ONE who will continue to guide and strengthen you. The God who moves mountains, will be right there with you in the dirt – pulling the weeds and fighting the thorns. So keep your gloves on…and stay close to the Sower.

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Cor. 16:13

Bit By Bit

Believe it or not, early mornings are not my best time of day. Being a farmer-shepherd, you may have images of me skipping to the pasture at the break of dawn, swinging my milk pail while singing or whistling hymns. I don’t think I’ve done that even once. I can’t even whistle.

My early morning visits to the pasture look more like me checking to see if I remembered the milk pail, are my boots on the right feet, being content with walking in the right direction of the pasture, and leaning my sleepy head on a soft goat belly while I milk her out.

Sigh. I am always better after coffee. So this morning (Friday), at the end of a long week and with a caffeine(less) headache coming on, I was thinking about how SLOW this whole hand-milking process is and wishing I could get more than one squirt of milk at a time into the pail.

As I filled the milk pail, bit-by-bit, I thought of my recent study of Ruth. Beautiful, patient, steady Ruth picked up leftover grain in the fields every day until a few pieces of precious grain became a handful. Hour by hour, the handfuls grew to a sack-full. She gleaned until a tiny portion became a feast. And God blessed her faithfulness in such a mighty and unexpected way! (Awesome true story!)

“Patience” is the ability to tolerate delay without becoming angry or upset. God values patience. He would not give us so many opportunities to practice it, if it were not important to Him that we learn it.

Galatians 5:22-25 lists the “fruit of the spirit” (the character qualities of someone who lives with the love of Christ.) Patience and self-control both make the list.

Those annoying, frustrating or even disappointing situations you are “stuck” in today – are opportunities to practice your spiritual patience and grow your faith. Try to see your challenges from that perspective and allow God to pour strength and courage into your heart while you wait out those difficult times.

“Bit by bit”, He is going to move you to greater maturity and better places. If you could handle a deluge, He would give it to you that way. Chances are, we really do need it “bit by bit”. So lean hard on Him – and thank Him for moving you forward a little at time.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, Patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22&25

Spread Your Wings

Rosie and her little brood have been together in the brooding pen for almost three weeks. The small chicks have enough real feathers to fly. They even fly up on Rosie’s back to perch or play.

I think Rosie is trying to teach them to leave the pen. Time to explore outside the secure baby space! Rosie flies out of the pen and perches nearby. She calls to them but they all stay inside the pen screaming for her to “come baaaack”!!!

I’ve watched her do this a few times. Their cries are too much – she goes back every time.

Rosie knows there is soft dirt to scratch, worms to find, butterflies to chase. She must think her chicks are ready to grow up and experience the fullness outside of the brooding pen. The little chicks are not so sure. They seem determined to stay put.

God provides opportunities for us outside of our comfort zone. There is a constant flow of challenges that present us with the choice to “explore” or “stay put”.

Faith gives us courage to explore those opportunities that God provides. We know that it is the challenges (not the comforts) that build our spiritual muscle, deepen our commitments and broaden our perspectives.

Is there an opportunity knocking on your door? Is it time to step out of your comfort zone? Is there something brand new (and maybe a little scary) available to you?

If God is calling you to it – then He will be with you though it!! He will provide what you need to stretch your wings and grow. His plan for you is good. Trust Him.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

Nothings Are Always Somethings


Allie and Grace have opposite personalities. They are 5 months old now and I can tell you who is who – by what they are doing. Allie cries for attention, Grace is quietly independent. Allie is a snuggler, Grace is a biter. Allie is tentative, Grace is adventurous. They are the ying and yang of this years kids!

One of my children had a funny habit of tattling on himself. At 2 and 3 years old, with something in his hands (held behind his back), my sweetness would lift his chubby little chin up at me and announce, “Nuffin”!

“Nuffin” always meant “something”. He had done something (usually the remains of the something – or broken parts of it, were in his hands). He made me laugh every time.

But opposites are hard – sometimes we do things we don’t want to do. We say or do some thing we regret. Oh, how our souls twist when we are caught in something that we know is not pleasing God but we don’t know how to stop!

Very recently I said something I wish I had not said. (Ever been there?) We can’t change what’s already done, but we can make it right, to best of our ability – and move forward WITH HUMILITY.

Every mistake I make, reminds me of how much I NEED my God! If I get too full of myself, I may try to walk ahead without Him. What a mess that would be, what opportunities I would miss!!!

When you fail, when you make a mistake, when you lose a battle – lift your tiny chin to the Lord and tell Him, “Nothing…I am nothing without You. I need You to pick me up and set me straight. Nothing…I want nothing outside of what You desire for me. Nothing…I want nothing else to matter to me more than bringing Glory to You.”

And then watch God do something, wonderful in you and through you. He is the God of “something good” even when we feel like we have “nothing to offer.”

“Now if I do what I do not want to do…it is sin living in me that does it.” Romans 7:20
“Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow…Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51: 7&10)Thank

One Anothers

Cleaning a rabbit’s skin requires extra ordinary gentleness. The skin of a rabbit tears like paper – so grooming Greta each morning is a labor of love and a rehearsal of patience.

Greta can’t lift her back end up due to spinal stenosis. Because she can’t lift her haunches, urine spills onto her skin. As this happens throughout the day, urine scalds her skin. So each morning I put her on my lap (Greta is a 13.5 pound Flemish Giant, so she takes up more than my lap!) and start to soak and clean her.

It is a very slow process. Soak, wipe, comb, spray… ever so gently so as not to tear her delicate skin. The last thing I do is apply A&D ointment to all of her sore places.

Greta lays contentedly across my lap – and while I am grooming her, she starts to lick my leg and arm. She is grooming me. THIS is a big deal. She is demonstrating trust and care by choosing to groom me. My gracious Lord, thank you for showing beauty even in illness!

Greta is taking care of me while I am caring for her. It is a dance of love and grace. Greta shows me the “one another” scriptures – so many lessons of how we are to treat our family in Christ.

“Love one another..” John 13:34-35, “Encourage one another…” Heb. 3:13,
“Be patient with one another.” Eph. 4:2
“Bear one another’s burdens” Gal. 6:2
“Forgive one another…” Eph.4:32

The “one another’s” are our family of believers. What can we do for “one another” today that would fill another soul?

Lord give us a heart to see opportunities to encourage and lift up. And give us the courage and conviction to follow through!

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:11

Pass It On

It’s hard to know exactly how to start this note – which is more of an update than a Love Note…

The last week brought one challenge after the next at the farm. With the exception of our sweet Rosie and her beautiful chicks, everything else has been – well, a disaster.

I don’t think this is a good place to share the details because many of you are reading these devotions over a cup of coffee – let me just say that apparently vets call this time of year “maggot season” for a good reason. The incessant rain and humidity are creating some awful conditions here.

I’ve never spent more hours of my day cleaning animals and cages and all of our spaces than I have in the last week. I have also never taken so many showers in a single day in my life! Ugh!

I am doing everything I can to care for our sick, wounded and geriatric animals (all with different problems and needs) through this unbelievable season. Several animals have been moved to “healing pens” closer to the house and our Flemish Giant Rabbit, Greta, is inside the house.

Greta lost the use of her back legs (growth pressing on her spine). So every morning I carry her to the tub to clean her soft bunny bum and her legs. I clean her cage several times each day. She sees the vet on Thursday and I suspect that we are at the end of life for Greta. I don’t think I can keep her going much longer.

Encouragement and spiritual cheer came through my 22 year old son. He is so busy and so far away but he reached out to me several times during this awful week with texts and prayers.

The child ministering to the parent – renewed my confidence and refreshed my weary spirit. Thank you Lord for the “encouragers” and for the blessing of love through generations!

I hope to be back to writing and sharing devotions as soon as my hands are free again!

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Mat. 11:28-29

See It Through


Rosie is a dedicated mama. She sat on her eggs for 21 days straight. She tended her fluffy brood, without a break for another 12 days (so far).

I don’t my know about you Mom’s – but I was feeling a little sorry for Rosie. No babysitter, no date night, no shopping sprees, no running around with her BFFs…

I took her from the preschool pen and put her in the pasture to stretch her legs and get something good to eat. I thought she might thank me for that! Well, diligent, focused, determined little mama Rosie made a bee-line straight back to her chicks.

No breaks for her. Rosie has a job to do and she is going to see it through. She gathers her energy and commitment from the sureness of her purpose. She stays the course.

When we allow God to lead our plans and guide our activities, we move with that same level of commitment and determination. He will provide the strength and resources we need to stay the course.

Are you having trouble with your commitments? Do you find yourself wandering from one path to another? Are you wish-washy or scatter brained? Instead of trying a new career or new ministry or new hobby – try a new focus. Ask the Lord to direct your work.

He will bless your efforts when you are committed first to His purpose and to His glory. Remember that purpose of a Christ-follower is simply to follow him. All the rest falls beautifully into place when your focus is on Him.

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Prov. 16:3. (“Put God in charge of your work.. “ from The Message translation)

Behind the Curtain

I walked outside into a dense fog this morning. As I approached the pasture fence, I could hear my “Good Morning Symphony” (with Roo’s crow rising above the rest) – but I couldn’t see everyone. I knew they were there, but it was as though they were behind a thick curtain.

There is an AMAZING story about the curtain in God’s temple that never fails to humble my spirit and excite my soul! Maybe you already know about this historical event, but in case you don’t (or maybe you don’t mind hearing it again), I’m going to tell you about it!

The ordinary Hebrew people in the Old Testament only had access to God through the priests who lived in the temple. The priests only had access to God to a point – to the curtain. The curtain served as a divider. It divided the temple into a place where people could enter, from the highest holy place – where God dwelled.

There is really a lot more to this beautiful story than I can share on FB, but catch the main point here – an ordinary person did not have direct access to God. The curtain was a physical obstacle and a spiritual reminder that we could not enter the Holy presence of God.

When Jesus took his last breath on the cross, the temple curtain was torn in two – from the TOP to the bottom. God did that for us. He removed the barrier that separated His presence from us. Jesus was the last blood sacrifice to our Holy Almighty God. And now, we are free to enter the throne room and sit at His feet.

Yes, really!!! Amazing, right. Takes my breath away every time!

When God ripped that divider – He invited us to know Him personally. He dismantled formal religion as a means to access Him. (Over the centuries we have reconstructed formalities – we just can’t help ourselves, huh!)

Today we have the invitiation, the freedom, to walk straight into His open arms. Don’t put up any new barriers. Don’t let guilt or shame or regret or insecurity become a curtain between you and God. He truly wants you close. Let the curtain fall. Let Him love you.

“At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split.” Matt. 27:51