The Hard Work Is Worth It

At 7: 30 this morning, trucks and road making equipment began to line up in front of our house. Emery dashed out to move our cars down the road so we could use them later. The road work was going to take place in front of our driveway, blocking us in. The noise and dust are already phenomenal. Walking out my back door felt like I had passed through into another time and place compared to what was happening outside my front door.

The chickens were hunting and clucking right along with the newest batch of chicks that are now big enough to be out scratching around with the others. Still young enough that they peep instead of cluck. The goats let me know I was a few minutes late with their feed, their bawling greeted me from across the yard. Impatient critters that seem to like things the same every day. I finished the animal chores, playing with the kittens for a bit, still not sure about that tiny gray kitty, it seems to have its daddy's temperament. I will keep working with it, loving it a bit extra. Went into the garden and felt so dismayed at the weed growth. With my sore knee I haven't been in the garden for a few days and this weekend Emery put up a couple new ceiling fans for us so his time in the garden was very limited. I watered some and then the joy came, the reward for all the hard work. Harvesting ! I filled a basket of spinach, a basket of collard greens, and found a few banana peppers ready to eat and some curly parsley for cooking with. The peas are nearly ready to pick and the cucumbers are in full bloom. Green beans are just beginning and tomatoes all big and green. I filled another basket of mint for afternoon iced tea. Potatoes and onions will be ready to be harvested in a couple weeks, I love harvesting potatoes. Pulling up my apron to make a bit of a sack, filling it over and over with the bounty of our earth. Baskets fill to the brim of whites and reds. The scent of the rich brown earth all around me and on my hands and feet. Meal time, plates set with steaming goodness, picked that very morning. It is worth all the hard work, the blisters on my hands, yes, even with gloves on you can get blisters hoeing. Its worth being bone weary. For many many years, each Friday night Emery would read this at the table before we ate. He always said I was this kind of wife. The girls would nod their heads and agree, so sweetly. I always saw it as something to aspire to and still do. It is my goal each and every day.

Proverbs 31

10 wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,

and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;

she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned,

and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.