Quitting was not a word heard very often on the Sanders farm where I grew up. Daddy was a cotton farmer…and my sister Lavern, my Mama and I were the biggest part of his “equipment”, so to speak.
Cotton farming was hard work….but I can honestly say that I could count on my two hands the number of times I ever heard Ernest and Lillie Sanders say they were tired after working in the field from sunup to sundown, literally, with about a 30 – 45 minute break for lunch, which Mama had cooked before leaving for the field very early in the morning (and this was after she’d cooked a full breakfast).
What I did hear a lot of was “well, we got a lot done today”, or perhaps “feels good to be tired so I can sleep better”.
So, I often say…. when somebody questions me as to how I drive the long hours, stay in a studio for an eternity to record an album, personally stay in touch, as much as I possibly can, with all those who communicate with me on email, Facebook, via my website’s fANN forum message board, chatroom, etc….after farm life, all of this is a “piece of cake” ). I guess you could say that I had good “preparation time” .
I have to confess that there have been times I should have “quit”…you know, those times when you’re more or less “beating a dead horse”?? I hope I’m learning that “quitting” isn’t so bad since in quitting, we often begin to experience something new and fresh. “Letting go of those things which are behind so as to reach forward to those things which are ahead”…is that it???
Cotton farming was hard work….but I can honestly say that I could count on my two hands the number of times I ever heard Ernest and Lillie Sanders say they were tired after working in the field from sunup to sundown, literally, with about a 30 – 45 minute break for lunch, which Mama had cooked before leaving for the field very early in the morning (and this was after she’d cooked a full breakfast).
What I did hear a lot of was “well, we got a lot done today”, or perhaps “feels good to be tired so I can sleep better”.
So, I often say…. when somebody questions me as to how I drive the long hours, stay in a studio for an eternity to record an album, personally stay in touch, as much as I possibly can, with all those who communicate with me on email, Facebook, via my website’s fANN forum message board, chatroom, etc….after farm life, all of this is a “piece of cake” ). I guess you could say that I had good “preparation time” .
I have to confess that there have been times I should have “quit”…you know, those times when you’re more or less “beating a dead horse”?? I hope I’m learning that “quitting” isn’t so bad since in quitting, we often begin to experience something new and fresh. “Letting go of those things which are behind so as to reach forward to those things which are ahead”…is that it???
I seem to remember that a famous singer wrote a song called "I Quit". Very impactful in it's message.
ReplyDeleteWow! Looking at it this way, I think I'm at that "quitting" stage, AnnD. Wish there was a "LIKE" button here. :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely LOVE that song, Karen. Has really ministered to my heart!!! That's not a very easy thing to do though...just to give it all to Him. But, I'm so thankful for the experiences I've had when I HAVE quit and given it all over to Him.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, it's not until we are ready to "quit" that God can actually begin.. and intervene. Joyce Meyer puts it this way, "you do what you can, and GOD will do what you can't." I love that!
ReplyDeleteGod bless you Ann. I met you one year at the TN retreat. I'm delighted to follow you on FB. I was so surprised to see you there!
LaydieAdaeMensah***