Lessons from the Farm

 

 

Pauline Hylton, cbn.com

“And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” (Romans 5:4 NLT)

Ever felt helpless? Like you had no options and no strength?

I’ve felt that way on occasion. Most recently through 14 years of caregiving, and then a mid-life change of location and career.

My husband and I moved from sunny Florida to the foothills of North Carolina to farm on an old 66-acre tobacco farm Tom inherited.

Yes, you heard me correctly. Did we know how to farm? No. We couldn’t tell a squash plant from a sunflower. Were we enthusiastic? Yes. When we first arrived on the farm we got up early, planned like pros and laughed like kids.

Did we fail? Yes.

I didn’t see that coming. (Don’t laugh.)

One day stands out as a turning point for me. My assignment was to shovel manure out of the chicken coop in the mid-August sweltering heat. After about two hours of that, I cried out to God. Lord, why am I doing this? I used to be somebody! I thought I was too important to Him to shovel manure.

Over those next few years, my weakness forced me to fall on to my bruised knees several times a day singing the song “I Need You.”

And I did.

And I do.

This wasn’t a song of praise. It was a cry of desperation.

As I look back, you know what I discovered? That was an extremely hard time — but it was a necessary good time. The Lord used hardship, isolation, and weakness to draw me closer to Him.

It produced endurance. Dependence. Humility.

John 15:5 says this, “

Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (NLT)

We cannot save ourselves. We cannot depend on ourselves.

In America, self-dependence and self-sufficiency are applauded. In God’s economy, it is useless.

The Lord — in His mercy took me through a time when there was nowhere to look but up.

I’m glad.

I also think it will happen over and over since I’m a slow learner.

What about you? Are you depending on yourself?

The Great Shepherd says to cast our cares on Him. Because He is good. Because He has provided eternity — and it is based on His economy, not ours.