Finding Enjoyment in a Broken World

My memories of working with my father are some of the most pleasant remembrances of my childhood. My father loved to teach his children whatever he was doing. It might have been milking a cow, feeding calves, pigs, chickens, or even driving a tractor. When my father gave me a task, he explained it, showed me how to do it, and let me try. If I failed, he showed no disappointment and only insisted that I keep trying until I could do it. That was a winning strategy because it usually did not take long to master the skill with that approach. Now that I look back on those days, I see enormous value in what my father did. He taught me valuable skills, but most importantly, he spent time with me.

I remember once when I was planting cotton—it was one of the first times I drove a tractor by myself; it made me feel very important. My father laid out the rows with white paper bags at the end of the field, so I could keep the rows straight. I thought I was doing pretty good until the cotton came up and all the wiggles and crooks became visible. My dad said it doesn’t matter; it will grow the same in a crooked row as well as in a straight row. That patience had an impact on my life in so many ways. It helped me to enjoy the relationship with my sons and daughter and teach them skills that would help them in life. It gave me the desire to want to be with them.

My wife is the greatest blessing outside of my relationship with Christ that I have received in life. I have now been married to her for 50 years, and it doesn’t seem possible. Her servant’s heart has made my life so much richer. She is a sensitive person, and she picks up on things that I miss. She was intuitive about the kids and helped me see their needs that never crossed my radar. Now that I have lived much of my life and observed how other people live, I know I am rich in my heritage and the family I enjoy.

It helps to look around and evaluate life to appreciate what you have. It is possible to enjoy life in this broken world. God wants us to, and he makes it possible if we desire it.