Here is a scenario that you might relate to: A farmer was looking forward to the summer season as his spring tasks appeared to be completed. His plowing efforts had been done for days, and the tilling jobs were now done for the year. 

Planting had recently been done, and he was seeing his seedlings sprout. 

There was summer work before him, but he was assuming that time might be set aside to relax and enjoy some leisure time. Yes, there were some field tasks to accomplish in the days ahead. Those new seedlings would require some cultivating to ensure their growth would bring the greatest return on investment.

Depending on the early-summer weather, haying work will be required for him and those helping him.  

There are always daily chores, but there must be an opportunity for some free time. Still, other needs always seem to be on the horizon. Improvements and maintenance to buildings and facilities can’t be ignored, or they will become major expenses in the future.

There also may be some fall harvest equipment and machines that might need maintenance or have repair items that should not be delayed.

If the word going around was that a neighboring farm had problems, wouldn’t it just be a normal response to check and see if you could help?  

Concerning this set of commitments, the Bible quotes Jesus as saying: "Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'" — Mark 6:31.

As often happens, time runs out. The work may get completed, but once again there is no time to squeeze in free time into the summer master schedule.

If this scenario resembles what your summer might look like, hopefully you will be able to set aside some precious time to relax, reflect and get refreshed for the days ahead. 

Westfall is vice president of the Mohawk Valley chapter of Fellowship of Christian Farmers International.