Jeremiah 32:38-41 says:
They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.
We must remain a family unit. Each of us has a different calling but all of us have one purpose. I am a Steward. Caring for the Earth is not an end…it’s an occupation. I hold my portion, working it to honor my Lord.
What will my children be granted stewardship over? I don’t know. But I do know that I would rather continue my work with my children as they grow than continue my work without them. I do hope and pray that my kids will find meaningful, rewarding work here on the farm when they are grown. Sometime I’ll share the vision we have for our family over the next 65+ years. I hope you have a vision…a preferred future. A dream. A goal you are working toward. It’s not much fun just putting in your time and using oxygen.
With the verse at the top in mind, Julie and I frequently pray, “Father, we honor your name. All that we have is yours and we thank you for the blessings you have entrusted to us. I pray that you will give our family a sense of unity as we live out your purpose, helping us to follow you day by day. Lord, we need your continued blessing. You promise in Jeremiah 32 to never stop doing good to us. Lord, we stand on that promise. Grant us wisdom to fear you and help us to continue doing good for your glory…plant us in this land, Lord.”
What do you dream of? What do you pray for?
Chism Heritage Farm 
Excellent post…. I dream of and pray for the same things for which you are dreaming and praying. My words may be a bit different….but the meaning is still the same…. it is all about the FAMILY and the land and the future for the family, being together and working together for the good of all of us.
Shannon
Right on.
I pray that I’ve taught my children to live so they will no longer need me to carry on in life, but will desire having me around for the friendship. Or to give them something to laugh about..
Yeah. Well. My dad reads this blog so I’ll just say I feel the same.
That said, children are supposed to be your social security program, your 401k…your retirement plan. But then the state is designed to replace the family…but that’s a topic for another blog.
Lovely post. Funny, we’ve been in Jeremiah in church for the last few weeks, and the readings have all been of the doom and gloom variety, we haven’t hit this chapter yet, I guess.
The difference between calling and purpose. One’s occupation is not an end. And stewardship. Wow. I’ll have to think on that a bit.
I think neither of our children are going to stay with farming. That said, they are now deeply instilled with the knowledge of what it takes to raise food well – be it animal or vegetable, so that they will hopefully never take it for granted. We have made a seriously big effort to be family as much as possible – daily meals at the table together, working together, reading aloud, keeping each other company, supporting each other’s interests as spectators or volunteers. I think the girls value that, and recognize that it is not the norm among their peers.
I know I am most definitely planted in this land, but there are days when I have no clue why God that was a good idea.
I think the efforts to build family unity will pay dividends.
peace, fearlessness, limitlessness, love, guidance, support, faith, understanding, hope
…humor
I dream of fulfilling work, work that makes a difference, that will involve my wife and children. I know that my kids may not want to farm, but at least I want them to “know how” to do some things on their own and to respect where their food comes from. When I was a kid, I didn’t want to have anything to do with farming or even just putting out a garden, so I know there is hope, even if they leave for awhile. Proverbs 13:22 tells us that a wise man leaves an inheritance to their children’s children. So what I’m doing needs to have a long term vision, even past my kids.
Lately I’ve been praying Phil 1:27 for our family. “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.”
Thanks. Whatever the kids do, I hope we stay united.
Our children are grown – ages 33 and 38. We homeschooled them back when homeschooling was unheard of. It created bonds that have made all the difference in our family. Now they (and their spouses) have invited us to unite our family units on a small farm and form a multigenerational household. I won’t go into all the miracles God has provided for that to happen, but we believe His purpose for this venture is much greater than we know now. I wanted to encourage you that God will answer your prayer. But also remind you that what you are planting in your children will outlast anything you do with your land, as admirable as that is. For what you plant in your kids is eternal.
That’s awesome, Barb. Thank you for taking a moment to comment.
I really should spell out our vision for the next 70 years sometime…