God totally used this past month working on the farm to teach me some lessons about life. I learned a lot about being thankful in each moment.
I was caught off guard the first few times that it happened…I mean I know that we were serving at a Christian organization and all but I guess I’m still thinking like the American that takes everything for granted.
The first time it happened was as we finished harrowing the bean field on my first day working the farm. Benald looked up as he finished his line for the day, and said “ praise the Lord for the strength to work today”. It was obvious that he didn’t say that for a show or anything just stating a simple praise.
After that the simple praises were heard daily, multiple times most days. Another cool thing about this is that it wasn’t just one of the guys on the farm that would say these little praises, but all five of them. I came to think of the praises as little reminders of how we get through each and every day we are alive…through God alone.
There was another day on the farm that I was working weeding the vegetables with some of the older girls that lived on the farm. The youngest one there, Colleen, who was maybe 10 surprised me the most. She was one of the ones working the hardest and always wanted to work the bed I was weeding. The whole time she was with me weeding she was singing. Singing about her daddy in heaven and how much he loved her or how her Jesus came to save her when she was alone. She sang several short little songs like this and I couldn’t help but smile as I went along.
I think there are several things that I will treasure in my memory about my month at challenge farm, but maybe none as much as this lesson for life.
Now I try and make little sayings of praise be included in each day now. It’s such a simple, yet vital, reminder that God is in control and is with us all the time. I feel like it even helps me choose a positive attitude and a grateful heart every day.
Thank you Father for teaching me this lesson on praise. I pray that each day I will remember to trust in you and glorify you in all things. Allow me to become more aware of how much you are involved in my life each day. Remind me that when I think that I am standing on my own two feet successfully without you that you would quickly show me that your hands are supporting me still. Thank you for loving me so much that you continually pursue me, and encourage me to have a more intimate relationship with you.
