Plow Around the Stump

When we value simple things, hope and encouragement permeate our lives.

I’ve spotted a lot of tractors at work. There is something beautiful about the smooth, clean dirt of a newly plowed field. It’s a promise of new of life.

An old farmer’s adage says life is simpler when you plow around the stump. In former days, when clearing land, a farmer would plow around large stumps to save time to get the planting done. Later, therewould be time to clear away the stumps.

Sometimes avoiding a controversy or disagreement will spare people from harm and hard feelings. Yet, it seems to me many people choose not to take the simpler path these days. They rail about their rights, and whine about what they deserve.

I have learned there are some things I have to put aside, or risk wasting much energy and time struggling with something I can’t change, and might cause pain and heartache to myself and others if I pursue the issue.

I recently lost someone dear to me. My sister-in-law, Sandy, visited for a birthday party in mid-December, and three months later, she was gone. Almost every day of those three months, I watched cancer steal more of her life. I’m a nurse, and still I found it hard to believe how fast disease ravaged her body. I need to take this in a little at a time.

Many of the wonderful people who supported Sandy, and my wife and me, during this experience don’t call or visit anymore. Their busy lives call them away. I understand, and I’m grateful for each one of them.

This brings to mind some thoughts on thankfulness, forgiveness, and hope. It seems to me these three hold hands.

Christians celebrated Easter a month ago, when we emphasize Christ died to offer us a Way to a right relationship with the Father, a free gift we can’t earn. Afterward, some Christians get on with their busy lives, and forget Easter. I’ve done it myself.

Not this time.

Before Sandy went home, she told me she felt thankful for the many good things she had enjoyed in life, all gifts from God, but what mattered most to her was her salvation. She looked forward to seeing Jesus. The controversies of this life meant little to her.

Scripture tells us avoiding controversies often makes life simpler (2 Timothy 2:22-26.) Dr. Robert Jeffress calls this “holy indifference” to the tribulations of life, like the Apostle Paul (Philippians 1:20-22.) I need to humble myself before God and acknowledge He’s is control. When I lack humility and hold a hardened heart, I can’t offer thankfulness or forgiveness. I become ungrateful, think I’ve earned, and deserve, status, money, position, learning, influence, and leave God out of the picture.

Except He’s never out of the picture.

But whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God, the Creator of all light, and he shines forever without change or shadow.” James 1:17 (TLB)

We need to forgive others because God forgave us. To forgive, we must choose thankfulness. To have a thankful heart, we must choose forgiveness. As I said above, they hold hands. I know I can’t do this on my own steam. I need the Holy Spirit.

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NLT)

Have you figured it out yet? The field refers to the life God has given each of us, and God intends for us to plant it and be fruitful for Him. We can spend time digging at every stump in the field, and righting every wrong in our lives, or we can get on with the business of planting for the harvest, and plow around the stumps.

We need to trust Him and leave the hurts, controversies, betrayals, the pain of loss, disappointments, and heartaches, and failures to Him. God will take care of these things in His time.

“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.” Romans 12:9-13 (NKJV)

Sandy planted and watered her field, and God gave the increase in her life. She had plenty of stumps along the way, but the harvest was plentiful. God used her.

At the end of my life, I hope to hear God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

We all get a last day, and today could be the one. I don’t want to waste it digging at stumps. Until the Lord takes me home, I want my life to reflect a line from an old hymn by William Cowper:

“Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.”