There are mornings when farming introduces you to muscles—and even tendons—you never realized existed. This weekend was one of them.
The tendons in my wrists are sore from pulling weeds, my hands ache from stretching fence, and I’m discovering muscles and sinew I don’t think I’ve ever noticed before. And why does the humid heat just sap a person’s energy away?
It’s easy to measure a day by everything we accomplished. This weekend, I was reminded that sometimes the most important work isn’t accomplishing anything at all. It’s slowing down long enough to enjoy the people God’s given us.
Our family celebrated our nation’s 250th anniversary with dear friends gathered around tables overflowing with grilled brisket, chicken, duck, pork, fresh salads, homemade desserts, and most savory and sweetest of all – laughter.
As the evening unfolded, I found myself paying less attention to the festivities and more attention to the little bare feet running around. Tiny baby toes. Young mothers gently rocking sleepy little ones. Teenagers chasing younger siblings. Grandparents smiling from chairs while another generation made memories around them.
I couldn’t stop thinking:
Is there anything more beautiful than a mother with her child? A father and his strong arms holding a toddler? I love the gift of family so much.
Those simple moments reminded me that hope rarely arrives with fanfare and fireworks. More often, it looks like faithful parents raising children with love. Friends sharing a meal. Neighbors gathering together. Ordinary people doing ordinary things with extraordinary care.
By the time we drove home, my body was tired, my wrists still ached, but my cup was filled to the brim.
It’s easy to look at the headlines and wonder where the world is headed. But standing in that backyard, surrounded by families laughing together and children playing freely, I was reminded that our hope has never rested in governments, economies, or perfect circumstances. Our hope has always rested in Christ.
Because Christ has already secured our hope, our daily work becomes an opportunity to love and serve the people He has placed around us.
Every family meal.
Every child taught what is true.
Every garden tended.
Every prayer spoken
Every meal shared around the table.
These are just a few of the ways God continues His work in the world.
I hope your Independence Day left you with some joy and peace—not simply gratitude for our country and the freedoms we have, but renewed hope for the future because of the One who holds it in His hands.
Grace and peace,
Leah
Great Heritage Farm
P.S. It was so good to see our milk customers again this week! It had been so strange not having you visit the farm while our cows took a break—but catching up and hearing how everyone is doing brought so much joy to my day.
