Our Rural Roots

Meredith Bernard, Progressive Farmer Contributor

One of the hardest lessons I've had to learn as a farm wife is that the farm comes first. Of course, God and family are the most important things in our life. I'm referring to functions, vacations and any sort of plan that doesn't include the farm yet ultimately revolves around the needs of the farm.

I've lost count of the number of events, meetings, gatherings or just weeknight suppers prepared and waiting that have been interrupted or missed because the farm "came calling." One of the many unwritten, yet understood, laws of farming is that if it's going to go wrong, it's going to be at the worst possible time.

Wedding to go to? Cows are out. Family reunion? Flat tire. Important business call? First day of harvest. Haircut? Anything, every time. (Let the farm and ranch wives testify to that last one).

So often in life we don't get to choose our hand, but we can choose how to handle it. In accepting things for what they are and actively seeking to find the best in the opportunities (aka challenges) that arise, we have the power to change through perspective.

When we're on our way out the door for church and end up having to stay home to tend to an orphan calf, we can praise God for the miracle of new life and see the beauty in being where we are needed. When we miss a family gathering because hay needs to be baled before the rain comes, we can be grateful for the feed we will have for our beef cows that in turn feed our family and others year-round.

As we enter this season of gifting, may this be a reminder that sometimes not getting exactly what we expected, or wanted, can be the best gift in disguise.

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Meredith Bernard writes and experiences the realities of combining farm and family from North Carolina. Follow her on social media @thisfarmwife, and visit her website at https://thisfarmwife.com/…

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