This time last year we were battling acres of weeds in our effort to convert bare crop land into additional pasture for our cows; in places there were far more weeds that our cattle could not eat than healthy grass, weeds that needed to be mowed down over and over and over again to prevent them from going to seed. It was disheartening and exhausting, as we toiled away learning what worked on our little 40 acres tucked away in a sea of corn and soybeans.
I remember being filled with anxiety in the worst of those weeks – would we have enough safe forage for our cows this winter? Will the neighbors be upset with us if we can’t mow it down quick enough? Can we really control this mess without buying expensive, toxic chemicals like everyone says to do?
The mind has a sneaky way of always looking for the worst scenarios, and Benjamin and I were feeling pretty low at that point. But thankfully, good friends were there to pick us back up.
“The weeds will go away Leah, be patient and trust the land to heal”
and
“Pray to the Lord each morning that you will get done only what He wants you to accomplish today. No more, no less – peace will follow.”
The never ending to-do list and many unknowns were causing me anxiety. But after being encouraged and built up by others I was reminded to pray and rest, and trust what the Lord has planned for today. Some days I slip back into the panic for a moment but I quickly find my peace again when I slow down and take it to God.
And guess what? My friend Anna was right, the land is healing! Benjamin & our son, Gordon, fired up the old tractor this morning to mow down any remaining weeds in a section the cows had just finished grazing. What had been acres upon acres of weeds last year were just a few patches here and there, easily knocked down. It is so encouraging to see what had been bare and cracked land fill in with green grasses, clovers, alfalfa, wild flowers, and along with that, countless thriving birds, bees, insects, and other life.
I know how busy your life is too, and that you face your own seemingly impossible hardships. Let me share with you a loving reminder like my friend did last July: “Pray to the Lord each morning that you will get done only what He wants you to accomplish today. No more, no less – peace will follow.”
Perhaps regenerative farming can be a good analogy for life – Graze, Rest, and Regrow – with some patience and trust, the weeds will go away.