Finding Happiness in Christ (Series 4)Exemplo

Tired of farming

Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22)

A farmer got tired of his farm, and you would say, of course, because he was born there. He had spent all his days in that place. When he was a child, he rode cows in the meadows, picked apples, swam in small streams, and walked through the meadows through the forest to the school by the roadside.

As he grew older, he had plowed every acre of land in the spring, helping to lay hay in the summer, pulverizing in the fall, and transporting fodder for the animals in the winter. He took his bride to his old house there. His three children were born under the same roof where he was born. Now the children have grown up and had their own homes.

The farmer was sick and bored with his surroundings. He wanted to change, and often in his dreams, he imagined a quiet place where conditions were ideal, where he would spend his old age in comfort and happiness. He told the house agent in the town what he felt, so the agent went and took a closer look at his farm. He felt confident that he would be able to find a buyer easily.

When the weekly newspaper came on Thursday, the old farmer saw the advertisement in the newspaper and found his farm on the list. The ad said that a 160-acre site in Hammond was up for sale. The land is fertile and productive, and it never fails to produce a crop. Forty acres of land are filled with the finest timber; a well provides water all year round. There is a meadow in the middle of a small river, and there is a house consisting of eight rooms. The warehouse is large and modern.  There are machines and a rice barn with a large area.

The place has horses, cows, sheep, and chickens. It is close to town and has a telephone. There were various kinds of fruit trees, both large and small, with a coolness surrounding the house.

The old man read the ad a second time, then went into town to meet the estate agent. "I've read the advert," he said, "and as far as I know, that's where I've wanted to be all along. I don't think I'm going to sell my farm.” – By Charles L. Paddock

Reflection: If we pay attention, we will find that God has provided everything we need. He is the God who is responsible for and cares for the lives of His children. But often, the eyes of our hearts are closed because of complaints. Stop complaining and grumbling because it will only make us unable to see God's blessings.

As long as giving thanks can happen, joy can always happen. 

(Ann Voskamp)