Lessons From The Farm

On Monday, December 10th, when I left work (Hope Springs Farm) for the final time, I had two beautiful signs on my car–As a person who loves words of affirmation, this hit home. 

The week before, we had gone out to dinner (as we do for all employees who resign) and over 20 people showed up.  I’m going to miss the staff immensely, but the reality is, I’m going to miss the Growers more than anything.  This was my first real job out of college.  I started as an intern in August 2012 and gradually worked my way up the ranks.  I’ve cared for some of the Growers for over 6 years!  We’ve had our ups and downs, milestones, and an absolute low (see my blog post on Trumping Tragedies).  I have seen love, forgiveness, struggle and triumph!   I’ve learned valuable insight.   

First, forgiveness—how to forgive quickly and also be forgiven quickly.  I’ve been screamed at, cursed at, spit on, threatened, had items thrown at me, kicked, punched in the face…and each time you let go quickly.  This past year I was punched in the face.  The person who did it, then went and sat on the couch and started crying in remorse.  With a swollen face and holding back tears, I went over right away to console that person and we held hands.  The person was just having trouble expressing feelings that he/she couldn’t get out any other way.  Later, most of the staff said they wouldn’t have been able to do what I did.  But I wasn’t scared—I knew I just had to show love and mercy. (And I can’t tell you how many times I have messed up and the Growers forget and forgive by the next activity). 

Isn’t that exactly how God forgives us?  We mess up severely—and it causes him SO MUCH PAIN—when we lie, deny him, use his name in vain, cut others down by gossiping, murder, lust, steal, etc.  God hates the SIN, but LOVES the sinner! “It is possible for the Lord to look at us without seeing our sins because when he forgave us, he removed our sins as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12).  No matter what you have done though, if you truly accept God into your life and confess that he is the one true God, and that he sent his son for the forgiveness of all sin, and believe that Jesus was raised from the dead you will be saved (Romans 10:9).  Isn’t it time we start loving and FORGIVING our neighbors like God loves and forgives us?!

Second, I learned flexibility, patience, and peace.  If you witness just 15 minutes at the farm, you know that nothing goes according to plan and things are CHAOTIC!  You come in and think you are going on an outing with three growers (back in the day it used to be five), but you end up having six growers on the farm and have to make your schedule while they are arriving.  Or, you are cooking in the kitchen and you add powdered sugar and someone turns the mixer on full blast. (A HUGE laugh, but also a huge mess!) How about a Grower crying and they can’t tell you why.  Someone sinks into the mud and loses a boot.  Someone wanders off.  Let me remind you that you have six people with very different abilities (independent, needs physical assistance, or needs total hand over hand assistance) and add that on top of an intellectual disability (varying from mild to severe), Autism, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, and/or Schizophrenia, etc.  Wow.  A day in the life of a staff at the farm is interesting and tiring to say the least.  I have learned that I will make plans, but they might not go according to plan.  And that is okay. 

Isn’t that also the same with our everyday lives?    “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21 We think, “I know what’s best for my life.” and we make decisions without the advice and guidance from God.  Ultimately, that can lead to heartache and pain.  But when you continually seek God, you will be able to hear him more clearly.  You also learn peace in the midst of chaos/worry.  When things don’t go according to plan, you don’t freak out and you remember God’s word: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7 When things don’t go right, you learn to take a different path and continue to press on. 

Lastly, I learned to keep God number one and share Him with others.  When God was not in the center of my life at work, I struggled.  I would forget the “art of forgiving”.  Chaos would override my flexibility.  The anxiety would sink my peace.  And you could tell.  The overflowing joy of Christ wasn’t there.  How do you keep God number one?  Dig into scripture and work on memorizing it.  In the laughter, trials, smiles, chaos, hugs, and anxiousness…. recite scripture and know that God is sovereign in all things.  When you see others struggling?  Share the good news!  After we had the fire, we took time to pray and seek counsel and comfort with God.  Also, make sure you have those people in your life who will keep you grounded and tell you when you are straying.

Guys, God is alive!  He is powerful.  He has a crazy and reckless love and is coming after you!  God the Father–He’s the best Abba you could ever have.  He will protect you.  And God the Son–Jesus Christ.  He is your best friend who will never leave you.  I mean, he died and rose for you after all.  And God the Holy Spirit?  The Holy Spirit will guide your thoughts and actions!  One God—three parts—to help you and care for you in all walks of life.  Seek him and ask him into your life…I promise, he’s the best thing I’ve ever learned about and the best person to know intimately.     

If you want to know more about God, seek me out!  I’d love to tell you more!