The tractor ride

Austin Gardner • August 2, 2022

My dad picked her for me!

versión en español a continuación


On all the horse rides Betty and I discussed living in Tennessee, my horse, the farm. I invited her to go with me to visit my home and get to know my horse, Penny. 


No, I had no intentions of marriage. She had been getting more and more friendly but my dad had told me that if I got married before my college graduation he would not help me financially. So, like an obedient son I had no intentions of getting married till I was out of college.


When we arrived in Tennessee we got off interstate 40 at the Bucksnort exit and traveled to my parent’s house. 


My dad was plowing a field. He invited Betty to go with him on the tractor so he could get to know her. They plowed together for a couple of hours. 


They came in for supper. The family, of course, fell in love with Betty. 


The next morning I was outside working on my car, making some repairs. My dad came out to see me.


He said, boy do you remember what I told you before you left for college. I said yes sir. Then he said what are your plans with that girl. 


I said well we will go to church tomorrow at First Baptist McEwen and then drive back down to Rome, Georgia for the evening service at Fellowship Baptist where I had moved my membership. 


He said don’t lie to me. What are your intentions with Betty? I was shocked. I had no plans except to get back to college.


My dad said to me that if I didnt marry her I would be a fool. He said that she was the best girl he had ever met. 


Then he proceed to tell me not to let her get away and if I decided to marry her he would help me out.


Now I started thinking about that. Well. It took me a while but you know the rest of the story.


For the rest of my dad’s life he told everyone that Betty was his favorite daughter in law. He was also quick to tell everyone that he picked her for me.


I must say he did a good job. 


Meditate on this.


Your parents love you and have your best interest at heart. If they aren’t that pleased with the person you are dating, you must honestly ask why and listen to them. They have been there. They know what dating and marriage are like and want your happiness more than you will ever believe. 


Remember that God gave you to your parents to raise for His honor and glory. They may have made mistakes, but they do not want you to repeat them. 


They love you and are praying for you. It has been a thrill to know that my dad loved Betty. I was always so proud of his boasting that he chose her. 


Don’t make conflict where there doesn’t need to be. Teenagers and young people are so defensive of what they want that they refuse to listen to wisdom. They refuse to hear those that love them the most. I beg you not to make that mistake.


Get the whole story


Betty, the love of my life

The Call

Hay Day of my Life

"The bro zone!" Like a brother

A Giant Heart

The tractor ride

Never Really Dated!

Shocked & Surprised

Good News

Finding an acorn

Scared my dad!

Send that hillbilly hiking

Who's chasing who?

Betty meets my grandmother

The longest summer ever

Reckless Redneck

Honeymoon

Separated for the first time

We are going to make it






En todos los paseos a caballo, Betty y yo hablábamos de la vida en Tennessee, mi caballo y la granja. La invité a ir conmigo a visitar mi casa y conocer a mi caballo, Penny.


No, no tenía intenciones de casarme. Se había vuelto cada vez más amigable, pero mi papá me había dicho que si me casaba antes de graduarme de la universidad, no me ayudaría económicamente. Entonces, como un hijo obediente, no tenía intenciones de casarme hasta que terminara la universidad.


Cuando llegamos a Tennessee salimos de la interestatal 40 en la salida de Bucksnort y viajamos a la casa de mis padres.


Mi papá estaba arando un campo. Invitó a Betty a ir con él en el tractor para poder conocerla. Araron juntos durante un par de horas.


Vinieron a cenar. La familia, por supuesto, se enamoró de Betty.


A la mañana siguiente estaba afuera trabajando en mi auto, haciendo algunas reparaciones. Mi papá salió a verme.


Él dijo, muchacho, ¿recuerdas lo que te dije antes de que te fueras a la universidad? Dije, sí señor. Luego dijo ¿cuales son tus planes con esta chica?


Le contesté, iremos a la iglesia mañana en First Baptist McEwen y luego conduciremos de regreso a Rome, Georgia para el servicio de la tarde en Fellowship Baptist, donde había trasladado mi membresía.


Mi papá me dijo, que no me mientas. ¿Cuáles son tus intenciones con Betty? Me quedé impactado. No tenía planes excepto de volver a la universidad.


Entonces me dijo que si no me casaba con ella sería un tonto. Dijo que ella era la mejor chica que había conocido.


Luego procedió a decirme que no la dejara escapar y que si decidía casarme con ella me ayudaría.


Ahora empecé a pensar en eso. Bueno. Me tomó un tiempo, pero ya sabes el resto de la historia.


Durante el resto de la vida de mi padre, les dijo a todos que Betty era su nuera favorita. También se aseguró a decirles a todos que él la eligió para mí.


Debo reconocer que hizo un buen trabajo.


Medita en esto.


Tus padres te aman y se preocupan por ti. Si no están tan complacidos con la persona con la que estás saliendo, debes preguntar honestamente por qué y escucharlos. Ellos han estado allí. Saben cómo son las citas y el matrimonio y quieren tu felicidad más de lo que crees.


Recuerda que Dios te entregó a tus padres para que te criaran para Su honra y gloria. Puede que hayan cometido errores, pero no quieren que los repitas.


Te aman y están orando por ti. Ha sido emocionante saber que mi papá amaba a Betty. Siempre estuve tan orgulloso de su jactancia de que él la eligió a ella.


No genere conflictos donde no es necesario. Los adolescentes y los jóvenes están tan a la defensiva de lo que quieren que se niegan a escuchar la sabiduría. Se niegan a escuchar a quienes más los aman. Te ruego que no cometas ese error.



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