On the heels of last year’s extremely wet spring, farmers are looking forward to a better planting season. This past winter gave us oodles of snow. Strangely, the run-off during the melting has not been overwhelmingly abundant. Therefore, getting into the fields is more possible.

The frost line went below normal levels in the cold temperatures of the winter, breaking water lines on the farm and adding jobs to do before planting. The unforeseen and foreseen activities of spring fill the farmer’s schedule. Unexpected cold still reigns this spring.

The yard is painted with healthy green. Some tulips on the south slope by the farm house are in bloom.  Yet others shaded by the looming ash tree offer only leaves.  Evidently they are responding to their cool environment.

Gray skies hover overhead.  The weather forecast predicts rain for tomorrow and several days after that.  May 30 is the deadline for planting corn for us. Each day that the soil cannot be worked adds more tension on the back of the farmer.

We are waiting for good weather.  Waiting is sometimes hard. Between the droplets of rain, some jobs have been done: mechanical work; plowing; roofing on the barn; raising new chicks in the brooder house; weeding the strawberry patch, mowing lawn. Even though we must wait for good planting weather, we are not sitting still. Sometimes we just have to be busy…waiting.

If you find yourself in a season for waiting, the scriptures have a verse on waiting.  Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait on the Lord and be of good courage and He shall strengthen thine heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord.” As you await His direction or answers, just like in farming, do not only be still, but do things that you know are His Will.  As the verse says He will strengthen you and give you courage.  And keep waiting.

photo credit: Wenda Grabau
photo credit: Vince Alongi via photopin cc