The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Are you in a season of waiting or finding it hard to see any hope for the future?
Looking back over the years I’ve been in many of those. It seems like God stretches things out or makes you wait longer than you’d planned.
God uses these seasons to refine us and grow our faith, preparing us for what lies ahead.
Sometimes He makes you wait until the very last second before coming through with a miracle or breakthrough. He also opens and closes doors.
This teaches us patience and to trust Him. It also sets situations up to look impossible, so when he comes through, it points straight to Him and there is in no other explanation.
I’ve learned to live by faith and not look at things from a realistic standpoint.
Starting a farm operation from nothing with a dark past, brought on a lot of negativity from others. Many people said it would be impossible to rent or buy ground.
It’s very cut throat and competitive these days. Farming is very challenging no matter how long you’ve been doing it for or where you are located.
I knew if God wanted me to farm though he could make it happen and it would be for His glory and to help others.
He’s done just that every single year since taking that leap of faith. If He could take me from rock bottom, not wanting to be here anymore, stuck in addiction with zero hope for the future and make me a new creation in Christ, farming would definitely be possible with Him.
The devil wants to make us believe those lies that we aren’t worthy and that God doesn’t love us enough to get us out of those dark spots.
I finished up a farm of soybeans last Thursday before I was rained out. It was the very first farm I bought in 2020 and brought back a lot of memories.
God reminded me of how much He loves us and the importance of leaning on Him to guide us. I’ve never had to kick open doors, I’ve always prayed that God would open them and use them all for His glory. I enjoy farming, but there is a greater purpose behind every detail.
A man came to me five and a half years ago and offered to sell me one of his farms. I’ll never forget the day he asked me. Looking back it was all God.
I was farming full time with 250 acres and he called me up to see if I could help him deliver some seed about 20 miles away. On the way over we drove past a farm just a few miles from my house.
Then out of nowhere he asked me if I’d be interested in buying a farm as we drove by. I had chills and knew immediately God was behind every detail.
He knew it’d be a great location, only a few short miles away from my home place. He knew that I’d just started farming recently and wanted to help me out.
It was about 100 acres, mostly tillable, but with a beautiful layout that included some timber and a creek running through the middle of it. It was a farm I had dreamed about, one that I couldn’t have picked out better myself.
I was in complete shock. Things like this don’t just happen these days. But I have no doubt that God had His hand on it.
Immediately, I turned to God in prayer. I asked Him to show me and make it clear, if this was the direction He wanted me to go.
I remember my grandpa telling me similar stories about how God had led him in such ways. I felt that God was doing the same for me. When I signed the purchase agreement, doubts began to consume my mind.
The “what ifs” crept in, and I started to question if I had heard God correctly. I worried if the land would yield enough to cover the cost of the farm.
But God was quick to remind me that I needed to trust Him. Habakkuk 2:3 says “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”
I needed to lean into His understanding, not my own. His timing normally doesn’t line up with our own hopes and wants.
Eliminate the “what if’s” and you’ll find that you’ll have a lot more peace. God can help you with this when you ask Him.
God has made it clear ever since that I made the right decision. The value of the land has increased and it has always had good yields.
He has continued to show His faithfulness, reminding me that when He opens doors, He will also provide for what He leads you to.
In moments like these, I am reminded of what Jesus says in Matthew 6:31-33 “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
God has proven that when we trust Him fully, He will provide in ways we can’t even imagine. This may not always mean the highest yields, more acres or anything else. But He will provide and can use anything for a greater purpose.
You never know when your next life changing moment will come. Life can change at any moment and that next big door can open when you least expect. That’s one big reason to never give up and keep trusting in Gods plan.
Over the years, God has done similar things with land, equipment, relationships and opportunities. Since taking that leap of faith in 2019 to farm full time, people have came to me every single year and offered to sell or rent ground to me.
Realistically I should have never been able to grow the operation, especially going into it with no experience, but God.
God is so much more powerful than I ever realized growing up and it’s all about a relationship with Him.
All for His glory and furthering His kingdom, not for personal gain. God opens doors that no man can shut, it’s so important to be patient and listen to Him so He can use it for His glory.
He has never steered me wrong. I’ll be forever grateful for the people God has placed in my life and the opportunities they’ve given me, to make this vision from God to come to life.
I’ve definitely been through some crazy hard times and will continue too, but He’s there every step of the way.
Surrender and let the Holy Spirit lead the way. We just need to let Him have control and trust that His plan is always better than our own!