One Year Later: A Reflection of His Goodness

“Then the land will yield its harvest and God, our God, will bless us.” (Psalm 67:6) 

This is the verse that I underlined in my Bible nearly a year ago with a short prayer written out beside it-  “God, this is my prayer for us this year and the years to come. Thank you, Father, for leading us this far. Please go before us God and do the work that only you can.”  I can still remember this morning so vividly and also the feelings of nervosity that came with it. For in the months leading up to this moment, my husband and I had come up with a plan that would allow him to quit his job of over six years in hopes to do what he was truly passionate about- farming and gardening. 

We had worked so diligently and prayed with all our might for five years before arriving at this monumental moment, and, finally,  we were ready to dive into full-time farming. Nearly a two acre plot of land had been plowed and planted, around 300 nursery plants had been delivered, our twenty foot greenhouse was overflowing with tomato, pepper, and a variety of other vegetable plants and flowers- all was prepared for our first Spring season. Then, just like that, the world began to shutdown. 

As you can imagine, (and I know many of you can relate) this unexpected curve ball of the pandemic was not something my husband and I were ever prepared to be swinging at during our very first year of business. Initially, it  left both of us wondering if perhaps the wisest decision would be for him to stay with his current employer at least until the summer to see how things go. Yet God in His goodness quickly made it clear that that wasn’t going to be the case. 

For as it turned out, in the year of 2020, which had many people suddenly anchored to their homes, gardening and landscaping became very common and the demand for such things as vegetable plants and rose bushes began to increase all the more. By the beginning of April my husband and I could easily see that it was time for him to turn a page and began a new chapter in life; and, by the end of that same month, he was officially a full-time farmer.  

I would be lying if I told you that the first few weeks that followed my husband’s resignation were easy. The truth is, this time of transition was difficult for the both of us. After all, our once very set income now fluctuated week to week, our expenses were high, and I was struggling to balance marriage, motherhood, homeschooling, and learning how to run a successful business all at the same time. Indeed, the first or month or so was a bit of a struggle, but with much prayer and persistence, we eventually found our feet.

Over the course of the next few months, our little farm business nearly tripled in size. There wasn’t a day that went by that didn’t take my husband and I by surprise. But, that’s God for you right? For when He sets out on a mission, He will always see it through to completion. Who else but He could use a small family on a humble farm and turn it into something that felt just as much like a ministry as it did a seasonal roadside stand? Who else but He could bring people into your life who you had never met before and turn them from customers into what felt like extended family members in the matter of weeks? God truly worked (and is still working) miracle after miracle before our very eyes.

The days passed quickly for us and before we knew it the busy summer season had swiftly turned to fall. After the initial rush of pumpkin season, things began to slow down just enough for us to start looking ahead towards winter and to come up with a rough plan of how we were going to begin restoration on the historic flour mill that sits on our property. We ordered the lumber not yet fully knowing how on earth we could tackle this monstrosity of a project. After all, it was only my husband and I do the work, and let’s face it, measurements and wood-cutting really aren’t in my arena of expertise. Nevertheless, we were willing to work hard and knew that we would figure it out as we went. 

The Christmas season seemed to rush out as quickly as it came, and many a Fraser Fir and decorated wreath later, we had officially reached our closing day. We wished our customers well and thanked everyone for the overwhelming support they had shown to our family. Many asked how we planned to spend the winter, and though in my mind it almost seemed impossible, I would tell everyone that after taking a break for a couple of weeks, we hoped to then get started on the restoration of the old mill. Yet, every time I answered that question I was reminded of just how tired my husband and  I were and how we desperately needed help if we were to ever make any surmountable progress. 

It was almost closing time when my husband received the call that was an answer to our prayer. For as it happened, one of our good Mennonite friends needed some work for the month of January and asked if we were still planning on fixing up the mill. If that isn’t divine intervention I don’t know what is. For just as that call came on the same day that we were closing down for the year that had passed, God was opening up a brand new door to bring in the newness and hope of the year that was to come. Of course we gladly accepted his offer to help and were elated that we  would have an extra set of skilled and very experienced hands to assist us. On January 6, work began and by the end of that day the first portion of the rotting floors were torn up and almost completely replaced. 

The work continued on for the next three weeks replacing joists, beams, doors, and section after section of rotting floors. We still have a ways to go, but now, as I sit here on these freshly laid planks of poplar, sun beautifully blazing through the wooden shutters, I am filled with humility and wonder of just what is to come for this enduring mill. 

Yet for now, spring has arrived and so begins the season of sowing and reaping, patience and perseverance. I’ve learned from the past that the days ahead are not going to be easy. I know now what to be prepared for: late frosts that require hours upon hours of plant and crop covering, ridiculously late summer nights spent picking and preparing for the day that follows, potting up hundreds of fall mums as well as hauling load after heavy load of pumpkins, and lastly, more late nights during the Christmas season hand-making candles, decorative wreaths, and custom made wooden lanterns. 

We certainly have our work cut out for us- even still, we will steadfastly endure. For I know that when we find ourselves at the end of the year, we will look back on all the seasons that have passed with a grateful heart, and again we will see- a reflection of His goodness.