I grew up on a farm, and as a child I took for granted the great freedoms and endless opportunities for exploration that we enjoyed. Now as an adult, I find myself trying to recreate some of those experiences for my children. And I am realizing how much work my parents put in to provide that childhood for me. True blood, sweat, and tears. Thank you mom and dad!

The Lord has blessed my husband and I with a wonderful property that we are learning to take dominion over. It may not qualify as a true farm, but it is enough to keep us busy!

Our latest addition to the farmstead is four Buff Orpington chicks! We’re hoping all four are laying hens (time will tell!).

We have several purposes in raising chickens. As I have stated in a previous post, our tiny tots eat like teenagers (I’m not joking. Our four year old can go through two eggs, two pieces of toast, and half a banana at breakfast. Our two year old will plow through fruit until we cut him off. At seven months, our youngest can down a whole pouch of baby food. It’s real over here.). So having some on-site protein production just seems necessary.

Our other projects include the addition of four fruit trees (apples and peaches), and compost bins that we started last fall. Over time we hope to add raspberry bushes, grapevines, and a vegetable garden.

Why are we doing this?

In addition to the more pragmatic considerations, there are great spiritual lessons to be learned as well. Our modern secular culture seeks to dissociate from reality in every way possible. And I think this is easier to do the more one is distanced from nature. Being confronted with the Lord’s creation on a regular basis changes a person, and influences their worldview. Watching tiny seeds sprout into thriving crops, having your food supply impacted by weather patterns, seeing new life, and experiencing the passing of life all remind us that we are but small creatures in God’s great universe. Romans 1:20 tells us that God has made His invisible attributes, eternal power, and divine nature clearly seen through creation.

Thus, we want our kids to have close and personal experience with the Lord’s creation. To see different processes playing out, such as the chickens growing their feathers, learning to flap their wings, and maturing to the point of egg laying. To know where food comes from. To wonder at the the beauty of a tiny pink flower that will one day transform into an edible, perfectly portioned package of nutrients that also tastes delicious. To know the value of hard work, the importance of stewarding well what the Lord has entrusted to us, and to be compassionate caretakers of other creatures. All of this is aimed at facing reality, grappling with the great truths portrayed in creation, and giving glory to God because of it.

Laboring over a project and then enjoying the results are a God-given blessing, and one which is avoided by so many today. So many character-building, awe-inspiring, conscience-enlightening lessons are missed in a life of ease and artificial surroundings.

When I began this post, I intended it to be a lighthearted “fluff” piece about our cute chicks. But the Lord has drawn out much more as I pondered our motivations for our farmstead projects. I hope it has been a blessing to you, and that you will have the opportunity to marvel at the Lord’s creation in a new way this week!