The Challenges of Farm Life
We woke up this morning at 5:00 a.m. to the sights and sounds of the awakening of a mid-summer’s day. Rain was gently falling and the chickens were happily scavenging for bugs in the soft earth. It was a welcome calm after the events of yesterday.
Last evening, my husband, Scott, came in a little after 10 p.m. looking hot, dirty, exhausted and discouraged. His day had started at 5:30 a.m. by dropping off the semi at the rye and vetch field. I picked him up and we came home for a breakfast of bacon and eggs. By 8 a.m., only nine out of an expected crew of 28 kids showed up for weed pulling—and shortly thereafter, two of them had to quit due to the heat.
After a quick lunch, Scott headed to the field to start harvesting. After just one round, the combine broke down and he had to make a run for parts. After repairing it right there in the field—in the intense heat of the day with high humidity—he was looking forward to climbing into the cool cab to continue harvesting. No such luck! The air conditioner had apparently decided it didn’t want to work that day, either. (And wouldn’t you know, I delivered him a HOT MEAL instead of a salad that night…which he gratefully ate without complaining.)
After supper, the combine started growling and he knew it was on the verge of another breakdown. He thankfully managed to thrash out enough to get a full semi load of grain by 10 p.m. That’s when he came home, hopped in the shower and told me the air conditioning had quit working on a total of three vehicles that day! He ate a snack and we headed to bed.
With a storm warning looming—and the rye and vetch, along with half of the wheat field, laying on the ground partially harvested—it was not a good time for heavy rain and high winds. Luckily, the good Lord protected us from any damaging wind and hail. There was just enough rain to cancel weed pulling this morning, which will give Scott another day to make repairs. Another reason to praise God for His provision!
Life on the farm can be challenging at times, but it is also very rewarding. Though we have never gambled a day in our life, some people say farmers are the biggest gamblers there are. However, we know that’s not really true. It’s our dependence on God and trusting Him through the highs and lows of life….and we wouldn’t want it any other way!
