In America, most of us enjoy the convenience of having a grocery store on every corner. We walk in and see the shelves filled with thousands of choices, all beautifully organized and displayed for our purchase. I know, for me, it’s easy to forget to appreciate the work and hours of labor that it has taken to get those foods that are right there at my fingertips. I take for granted the farmer.
Here are a few lessons we can learn from the farmer:
Planning – A farmer has to carefully think through and plan for planting his crop. He knows what time of year to plant the various seed; he checks weather patterns; and he seeks the best place on the land to plant.
Application: If I want something, it’s not going to “ just happen”. I need make detailed plans that will get me to my goal.
Perseverance – If anyone knows how to press forward and push through, it’s the farmer. He patiently watches as the plowed ground with new seed begins to sprout. He is a master problem-solver. He lays the best plans for his crops; however, circumstances beyond his control can affect his projected outcome. He knows how to make adjustments midstream to achieve the best results with blows that come his way.
Application: I learn that things don’t go perfect—life is full of obstacles that come my way. Like the farmer, I should make the adjustments needed with the end goal in mind—I can’t give up!
Production – After all the planning, perseverance, and problem-solving, the farmer gets to enjoy the harvest of his crops. His work is by no means done, but the fruit of his labor is before him. Harvest has come.
Application: There is joy that comes from putting in hard work and reaping the results.
As we celebrate this fall and harvest season, we say a big THANK YOU to the farmers!