Fall in rural Nebraska means harvest time. And harvest time means huge, slow, yet very important farming equipment on the move. I’m used to it, following family members in tractors, combines, or with grain wagons to pick them up or help them move equipment. I never minded the slow journey; I actually quite enjoyed it. But that’s not the case for everyone. People are always in such a hurry! We’ve seen the impatient drivers. We’ve witnessed the dangerous passings. We’ve held our breath. We’ve heard the stories.
The other day, my husband and I were driving behind a combine on a long stretch of highway. This is where most people, in a hurry, become impatient and do dangerous things. All they see is a big inconvenience, something keeping them from staying on their timeline, an object in their hurried way.
But we see much more. We see the farmer in his tractor, just doing his job. He’s worried about traffic, ditches, mailboxes, and power lines; worried that we have been behind him for miles and haven’t been able to pass; probably worried we’re getting impatient because so many people do. We see it’s getting late, and he’s probably nowhere near being finished for the day. We see that huge piece of equipment moving slow and there isn’t anything he can do about it.
Despite many thinking of Nebraska as flat, this two-lane highway is full of long, drawn-out hills, and there was just no safe opportunity to pass. Although we were fine to settle back and be patient, others weren’t of the same mind. More than once, cars flew around us and the farming equipment in no-passing zones, just barely missing oncoming traffic they couldn’t see coming because of the hills. We held our breath more than once, terrified of what could happen, knowing how easily it could. And just because someone was in a hurry? Because someone couldn’t wait just a few more minutes? Because they couldn’t put life and safety before their rushed timeline?
Why are we all in such a hurry? Where is our patience? I am guilty of this as well, although not so much when behind a fifteen-ton piece of farming equipment. But I am learning more and more about hurry. I don’t like the anxiousness it brings. I don’t like the feeling that a fast forward button was pushed on my life or that I am missing out on what’s most important.
Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind.
Proverbs 21:5 (MSG)
Life goes by so quickly the way it is. Spending it rushed and running from one thing to the next isn’t good. Hurry doesn’t bring out my best. Instead, hurry actually steals what matters most in life and steals my best from me.
When I hurry, I do a little of so many different things yet don’t really accomplish anything. When I hurry in my relationships, they suffer because it’s impossible to love well and have deep, meaningful relationships in a hurry. When I hurry in my work, I can’t do it to the fullest of my potential. When I hurry, I can’t help others because I’m not fully present and can’t understand their needs. When I hurry, I miss out on what’s important because I’m not present enough.
Desire without knowledge is not good — how much more will hasty feet miss the way!
Proverbs 19:2 (NIV)
Although I think I’ll accomplish more, do a better job, help more people, basically be a super woman when I hurry, I can’t do any of those things.
Hurry robs me of what God has given to me in this beautiful life, the one He intends for me to use well. Hurry has no place here, when living my best life.
It will take intention and mindfulness. (If you have the opportunity, spending some time driving behind a combine is helpful.) I will need to decide to slow down — my movements, my talking — and I’ll need to be intentional about listening better, removing things from the schedule, editing the to-do list, considering my priorities, and practicing patience.
With God’s grace, I can slow down and connect with Him and others in my life better. And so can you. Live your best life, leaving hurry behind.
Leave a Comment
Judyc says
Oh Jennifer, I loved this. Moving equipment always seems to help me slow down enough to listen to God. He once showed me that following Jesus is much like following that tractor. It’s not our job to see where we are going, or to clear obstacles out of the way, we simply focus our eyes on Jesus and trust Him to lead us where He wants us to go! As simple as it sounds, I still have to work on this daily. Thanks for the reminder to be patient and not hurry!
Jennifer Ueckert says
I love that, Judy! Thank you so much for being here today! And I have to work on it daily as well. 🙂
Gail says
Such an important lesson, Jennifer. One we don’t hear nearly enough. When we’re rushing, we can’t hear God speaking to us. We miss seeing the needs of those around us. We miss the peace of resting in Him. We miss the abundant life He wants to give us. Let’s slow down and watch the changing of the seasons today and feel His presence.
Jennifer Ueckert says
Yes and amen to that, Gail! So much we miss!
NancyM says
Good article and so true.
Jennifer Ueckert says
Thank you for being here today, Nancy!
Carmen says
I am learning to slow down and be more present. It’s tough. It’s a gift to slow down and truly enjoy the people you are with and experience moments.
Jennifer Ueckert says
It really is a gift, Carmen! It sounds easy, but it isn’t always easy. Learning myself!
Alecia says
Love, love, love this reminder to slow down.♥️
Jennifer Ueckert says
Thank you so much, Alecia! Grateful you are here today!
Karen Knowles says
Jennifer, thank you for this much needed message today!
Jennifer Ueckert says
You are so very welcome, Karen! Thank you for reading along today!
Irene says
I Love This! I’m retired, so I’ve learned a lot about slowing down and enjoying the moments. But some of the people around me? Not so much. I pray I can be a calming influence. Not the one who causes more chaos or stress. Still learning. I’m only 69, so I’ve still.got work to do! In this (and other) areas.
Jennifer Ueckert says
Oh I love that, Irene! I love that you pray to be a calming influence. That is such a beautiful thing! Thank you for being here today!
Rhonda Briggs says
Thank you Jennifer:)
I am also in Nebraska and your words are so true. I like the slower pace. Time to think and process. Also taking time to encourage others.
Take a breath and be kind. Rushing can steal our joy:)
Jennifer Ueckert says
So nice to see a fellow Nebraskan here, Rhonda! So grateful we can enjoy a slower pace. Bless you for taking time to encourage others, it’s so needed and important!
Mary says
Happy Monday Jennifer. I love your message about slowing down. I moved from a farming community to a small city with more convenience, but do miss the slower pace of country life. I so appreciate farmers and their hard work. Thank you for the wonderful reminder to slow down and enjoy the blessings God brings to us each and every day. God bless your ministry.
Jennifer Ueckert says
It is nice to be able to enjoy some country life at some point. It can teach so much! Thank you for being here today, Mary!
Dawn Ferguson-Little says
Hello Jennifer. Thank you for sharing what you did. I come from a County in N.Ireland were Farming is the norm. Called Co. Fermanagh. Were you do this time of year and the Summer ger stuck behind the odd tractor. As they are out ploughing the fields. Seeing to the Potatoes Carrots and other vegetables this time of year. Which we call Harvest. Then in the Summer they are cutting the grass and making hay. Then putting out slurry on the fields. I have I used to drive but ill health put me out of it. I never go back to it again to nervous. I have seen people get impatient when behind a Tractor. Over take with inches of missing the car coming down the other side of the road. They have taken chances. They think they make it. Plus they at times don’t see the car coming down and the car has had to pull into the road side. Impatient they get. I have side and say oh that was close. They could have caused an accient. As people and kids have lost their lives in Northern Ireland because of over taking Tractors. Not have patience to just wait behind it. Even it takes them 10 or 15 minutes to get there. It not worth it. It has made me say. I hope they are saved. As if not they have been accident if that has happened because of over taking the Tractor and their impatience. So was the over taking worth it if that happens. Some have lost their lives. It is not worth it. As life is short any way. We all have only got the time on earth God blesses us with. If not saved that is sad. It bring saddness to families if someone badly hurt or even killed. Because we can’t wait behind the Tractor. So we in the world saved or not saved. Especially when saved have to do what God would want us to do that is have patience and wait behind the Tractor. You will get were you want to go. Yes you might be there 10 or 15 minutes late aren’t you better being late and getting their safety. Than over taking the Tractor and maybe being badly hurt or loosing your life. Then in both making your family sad. Because you have either been badly hurt or killed. It not worth it. How especially if Saved if impatience get the better of you. Do you expect God to project you. When you do daft things like this and over take when you could have had the patients to just wait behind the Tractor. It better to do what God would want you to do. Stay behind the Tractor. If have to be somewhere for a certain time. Leave that we got earlier. Just incase you get behind a Tractor. As if God was to speak to you and you had to be somewhere at certain time. God I know would be say leave in plenty of time. So as your not caught behind traffic or a Tractor. You will not get impatience and put your life at risk. You are better getting to were you have to go safely. Even if late. Or 10 minutes early. God would want you to be safe and drive safely. Love today’s reading. Love you all incourage. Keeping you all in my prayers. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little xx
Jennifer Ueckert says
So interesting that you are around the world and experience the same things we do here in Nebraska! I love that, Dawn. Thank you so much for being here today and sharing your thoughts and stories with us! Thank you for keeping us in your prayers! xo
Loretta says
I’m not necessarily always in a hurry but I hate being late. My daughter used to tell me that I could be late and still be on time. I’m usually the first one at any function. It comes from not wanting to be the one everyone is waiting on. Don’t like being the center of attention.
I grew up in farming country in south eastern Colorado so I know about being behind tractors and other farm equipment. So this post really struck home for me. It seems to not ever occur to us that perhaps by slowing down we might be avoiding a catastrophe down the road. We think because we see that means we know. Unfortunately we are most often wrong. Seeing what is in front of us isn’t always the whole picture.
Thank you for reminding me of that.
Jennifer Ueckert says
That is just the truth, Loretta! We don’t see the whole picture, but Someone always does. Thank you for reading along today!
Ruth Mills says
I am laughing at the timing of this! I was too busy this am to read this first thing as I usually do. On our way to the emergency vet we are currently sitting outside of, I literally prayed the same wait would be short tonight. Last night they encouraged us to come back tonight as it would’ve been after midnight before we’d get seen if we stayed last evening. “Mondays are our slower nights” “It shouldn’t be as bad if you come back tomorrow” There we’re 6 in line ahead of us 2 hours ago. Only 4 have left so far. Yes we’re getting anxious & impatient And then I read about not being in a hurry! God’s sense of humor! Gotta love it! I will pray for those with more serious issues. I will pray for our country. I will pray for sick loved ones. I will pray for our unsaved friends. Not a minute of this wait will be wasted. And I will not be in a hurry. (at least in this moment). Thank you for challenging me & making me laugh!
Jennifer Ueckert says
Oh I love hearing your experience, Ruth! God works in awesome ways… and sometimes funny! It is a beautiful thing that you didn’t let a moment of your wait be wasted and you used it to pray for others. Bless you! And I hope everything was okay with your pet! xo
Lori says
Dear Jennifer. I loved your article. How do you stop being impatient ?And how do you deal with the impatience of others? Thank you for your article. God bless.
Jennifer Ueckert says
It is hard, Lori! I have to take it one issue at a time. When I am feeling impatient about something, I try to stop, take a breath and think it through. Consciously remind myself that things will work out as they should, that I need to focus on being patient, that God is showing me something in this moment and that He will see me through the wait. Really taking the time to think all of that through has helped me a lot, instead of being focused on my rush and impatience. Praying for you as you work on it, Lori!
Dana K. Wagner says
The message of slowing down and appreciating each moment is a great reminder to me. But I want to say thank you for seeing that the farmer was doing his job and not being rude and impatient. We are both farmers and ranchers and many times I have been the one in the slow moving equipment. The person driving that equipment is someone’s husband, wife, son or daughter and they are working long hours to get the crops planted, harvested etc…
Jennifer Ueckert says
God bless our hard working farmers and ranchers! Thank you for the work you do, Dana! You are appreciated!
Diane says
Our pastor once did a sermon in which he stated, “We hurry, we worry, we bury.” I think of it often when I get into that mode.
Jennifer Ueckert says
What a great reminder! Thank you for sharing, Diane!
Nancy Ruegg says
Thank you, Jennifer, for inspiring us to enjoy “the slow,” and live our best lives!
Jennifer Ueckert says
Thank you so much for being here and reading along, Nancy!
Beth Williams says
Jennifer,
This post reminds me of the Alabama song “I’m in a Hurry (and don’t know why). Chorus: I’m in a hurry to get things done Oh, I rush and rush until life’s no fun All I really gotta do is live and die I’m in a hurry and don’t know why. There is nothing good about rushing. It causes stress & other health issues. Jesus was never ever in a hurry down here on Earth. He took His time getting to places. We would do well to follow His example. A slower paced life can allow for connection with God & others. You can take time to “stop & smell the roses”. Look around you & see all the splendor God has blessed us with. Trying hard to slow down & enjoy life.
Blessings 🙂
P.S.
How are you doing these days? Still praying for you & hubby with the medical issues. (Hugs)