Darey Farmer's Busy Day

I really did have a busy day today. I was able to work in the vegetable garden and the flower garden, bring in the dry laundry from the line, weed-whack the creek bank and the road bank, run a couple of errands, unload several wagons full of square bales under threatening thunder, and even see the birth of a brand new baby calf. I also did things like wash the dishes, make beds, read to the kids, and change several diapers. I probably did some other things, too. It has been a long time since we woke up!

I was going to write about the day, tell you what I was doing and when, and all that. After all, isn't that what blogging is about? You would have been so proud of me.

The thing is, there was a lot of work going on in my heart today throughout all that activity. That zone (the heart zone) is always under renovation. I was proud of all my work. It was a lot of work, and I still feel good that it is done. But pride? Wrong. One of those simple scriptures I memorized a long time ago popped into my head as I was unloading hay as fast as I could, and then tripped over something in the wagon: "Pride goeth before a fall."

What I feel now, thanks to the work of the Spirit, is thankfulness. I am so thankful for this farm. We can have the joy of working together as a family, husband, wife and children. We can enjoy the beauties of God's creation day after day as we see the many different garments the land puts on: misty morning veils, golden blankets of cut hay, stiff green corduroy rows of corn. I am thankful that we all are healthy, and can do this work. I am thankful that we have the opportunity and the privilege.

Yeah, I got a lot done today. More than some people probably, but less than others. I didn't have to struggle with chronic pain today. I didn't have to worry about where my children were. I didn't have to face hardships alone. I didn't have to take any medicine. I didn't have to worry about bombs or bullets, or soldiers coming to the house. I didn't have to grieve today.

So having a row of nicely staked pole beans, a barn full of hay, sweet sleeping children in clean beds and pajamas, pretty flowers, a new calf, and the most wonderful husband in the world shouldn't make me proud. It should make me thankful to God, Who has given me all of this, and more and more.