When the Hard Week Has a Purpose

Hello, friend. Welcome back to the porch swing.

Have you ever woken up and wondered if today is the day God is going to put you to the test—or if maybe, just maybe, He'll give you an easy one?

Well, my test this time wasn't just a day.

It was the whole week.

It seems like each day brought a new challenge. But I've been thinking lately that maybe the challenge itself isn't always the most important part. Maybe it's how we choose to handle it.

Will it be something that breaks us? Or will we make it through the other side and realize that somehow, all that hard work was worth it?

Between running to sports and school, appointments, work, and all the other hoopla that somehow needs to get done, there hasn't been much time to stop and think about the path God has been leading me down this week.

But sitting here writing this and reflecting on everything that's happened, I can see things a little differently.

I'll be the first to admit that some things around the homestead have definitely been neglected. There are chores waiting, projects that need attention, and plenty that didn't get crossed off the list.

But it'll get done.

Maybe not today. Maybe with a little time and a little help. But it will get done.

We harvested all of our potatoes this week, along with a bunch of peppers and all of the watermelons. I think it's safe to say garden season is slowly starting to come to an end.

There's still plenty of work ahead to prepare everything for winter, but most of the main harvest is finished.

And I'll tell you—trying to split my time between canning, the animals, the kids, the garden, and work has been challenging.

I won't pretend there weren't moments when I wondered why I was struggling so hard to get everything done while everyone else was busy with work and school.

Why am I doing this to myself?

But when I finally slowed down long enough to really think about it, the answer was actually pretty simple.

Because this matters to me.

I would rather put in the work now knowing I'm doing what I can to provide wholesome food for my family. I like knowing where our food came from. I like knowing what went into it. And even when I'm exhausted and staring at another pile of produce that needs dealt with, there's something incredibly rewarding about feeding the people I love with food we grew ourselves.

Now, I know growing and preserving your own food isn't possible for everyone. We all have different lives, different resources, and different seasons we're walking through.

And that's okay.

Maybe your version of this isn't a garden at all.

Maybe it's raising your kids. Building a career. Caring for someone you love. Starting something you've always dreamed about. Or simply trying to make it through a season that seems determined to test you.

Sometimes the things that matter most ask a lot from us.

And sometimes, when we're standing right in the middle of the hard part, it's difficult to remember why we started.

That's when maybe we need to slow down for just a minute.

Look around.

And remember that the path we're walking may be leading somewhere we can't see yet.

I don't know what this next week will bring. Maybe God will give me an easy one this time.

Although, knowing my life, I wouldn't bet the farm on it. 😂

But whatever comes, I'll keep reminding myself that hard seasons don't last forever. There is purpose in the work, lessons in the struggle, and eventually, there will be light at the end of the tunnel.

So if you've had one of those weeks too, come sit with me for a while.

We don't have to figure it all out today. 🤎

Until our next visit,
❤️ I'll save you a seat.