I live in a small city and enjoy many urban conveniences. But I grew up on a remote farm in a life far different from what I know now. I was blessed by the experience, but even more, by marrying a farm-raised girl.
Her parents owned an fruit orchard. They raised four daughters and no sons. Like most farmers, your offspring are your hired hands (wages are room and board and the privilege of watching TV on Sunday evening).
She learned to irrigate the trees, trap gophers, thin apples and pears, and plenty more. Through her responsibilities, she developed five attributes I really admire.
Wakes Up Early
Chores had to be done before heading to school. Waiting for the sun to rise to get up meant you’d be late. Many studies have shown the benefits of waking up early, including higher productivity levels, salaries, and quality of life.
We don’t wake early to rush into work; waking up earlier provides a cushion between your relaxed sleep state and your hurried awake state. I love that my wife spends the first 45 minutes of her day reading, journaling and praying.
Demonstrates Self-Discipline
A farmer is her own boss, with many choices to make throughout the day. What do successful farmers not use as their guide for decision-making? What they feel like doing. No, they learn to do what must be done. Not because someone is forcing them or paying them, but because they know it’s right.
My wife routinely sacrifices her own comfort for the benefits of our family. She does so willingly and cheerfully.
Understands Seasons
Routines are valuable, but farmers know they fluctuate with the season. There are times for preparing, periods for executing, and as equally necessary, stages for resting.
My wife devotes herself wholly to the time at hand, recognizing it’s never perpetual. And she ever has her eye on the ultimate prize, the harvest.
Celebrates Harvest with Gratitude
To survive as a farmer, you must give your best and work hard. But every farmer has done that at some point and yet experienced a mediocre harvest. It may have been cool weather, an ill-timed hailstorm, or who knows what? Not everything is in your control.
You learn to celebrate and be grateful when the harvest is complete. You also learn not to think more of your own influence than you ought. My wife maintains a daily gratitude journal, training her mind to be grateful in every blessing.
Practices Good Stewardship
Our farm was 12 miles from the nearest grocery store, a tiny market. There were infrequent visits (closed on Sundays). More generally, my parents stocked up during bi-monthly visits to the supermarket, located more than an hour away. There were no daily runs to the store to get the ingredients you needed. There were just visits to the pantry and you made do with what you had.
We have a large chest freezer and a set of pantry shelves. When I cook, I first send the recipe ingredients to my wife. Invariably, we have everything it calls for, even if she has to recommend some creative substitutions. She buys on sale, and isn’t hesitant to purchase in bulk.
Your Turn
We all have baggage from our past. But for today, why not take a few minutes to consider the blessings of your spouse’s upbringing, and how lucky you are to benefit from their fruit?
Having been raised on a farm how true were your words!
Too bad I didn’t develop your wife’s discipline😀!
The fruit of your offspring speaks otherwise! Thanks for reading!
Beautiful 💕
Thank you and for all your hard work raising such a great daughter!
6 – Her name is used in cool Restaurants.
HAHAHAHA! Miss you my friend!
Tim what an outstanding tribute to your beautiful, sacrificial, life-giving wife. I am so blessed by her friendship, as you expressed so eloquently here what a blessing she is to you! Great writing. There is so much in the Bible about farming, too.