His master replied, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness! (Matthew 25:21 NLT)
As I write this I am reflecting on more than six decades of farming.
My father grew up on the farm that his parents worked, and later earned an agricultural education degree from the University of Illinois. After teaching for a year, he returned to the farm to work alongside his father. This year marks 60 years that he and my mother have been farming. Now in their early 80s, they will officially retire at the end of this year. I think what Todd Wilson said about homeschooling also applies to farming: “It’s good. But it’s hard.”
It’s good to know that you are helping to feed the world while you provide for your family.
It’s hard to keep up with the physical, monetary, and time demands of farming.
It’s good to carry on an occupation that has impacted the world since time began – even as it has grown and changed – and feel like you are helping to pass that figurative baton on to the next generations.
It’s hard to farm when equipment, land, and other investments are so expensive, and weather, markets, and economic conditions are constantly changing.
The list could go on, but you get the idea.
As I look back on what I remember of my parents’ work, I see a lot of very challenging years where rains came at the wrong times, equipment needed repairs at inopportune times, windstorms damaged crops, or the yields or the prices were low. Somehow, through the decades they survived, I believe largely because they tithed, and partly because they were also “sowing” into others through volunteer service in 4-H, Farm Bureau, and Pork Producers. Farming was hard, but was also good.
Next year my sister and brother-in-law will be farming more ground that my parents and grandparents have farmed. Next year will bring its own list of challenges and blessings, but my parents will not have to navigate those of farming. Today I hear God’s voice: “Well done, good and faithful servants. You have been faithful. Now enter into rest.”
God,
Thank you, Lord, for the testimonies of your faithfulness in the lives of those around us. We are grateful for the provision you have given my parents as they have farmed over these past six decades, and for others, like my sister and brother-in-law, who are helping to feed the world.
Today we pray that you would provide resources, a favorable economic climate, and safety and protection for all who have entered this “good, but hard” profession. May they turn to you for all they need. Pour out your wisdom, knowledge, and discernment so that their faith is strengthened as they seek you.
Thank you for the work you have done in and through my parents. Now we ask that you help them transition into full retirement with grace, trusting that you will continue to provide for all their needs as they honor you. Anoint their heads with oil, fill their cups to overflowing, and grant them goodness and mercy all the days of their lives.
Finally, bring them into their retirement rest, O Lord. We ask all of this in Jesus’ name. AMEN.
You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. (Psalm 128:2 NIV)
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5 NIV)
There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. (Hebrews 4:9-10 NIV)
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:9 NIV)
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever. (Psalm 23:5-6 NKJV)