Remember These Days, Farmers? – by Robert Knick

Do we have fond nostalgic memories of a bygone era? A time when we didn’t lock our homes and we could sleep without cameras and alarm systems. When we went for a walk, half of our neighbors would stop to see if we needed a ride. Do you remember those days?

When we got in trouble at school, we got worse at home—not because of harsh punishment, but because our parents expected better from us. Discipline meant correction with love, and we learned responsibility. We knew what mattered—time with family, hard work, and the value of respect.

When we got home from school, we weren’t glued to screens. Instead, we were out in the barn, tending to livestock or helping with chores. If the weather was bad, we found productive ways to pass the time—shooting hoops in a hayloft or working on a project.

Meals weren’t grabbed on the go; they were sacred times for family conversation, where wisdom was passed down from one generation to the next.

We didn’t chase after brands or the latest trends. We wore Liberty jeans and Carolina boots because they were practical. We understood that real value wasn’t in what we wore but in how we lived. Hard work and integrity mattered more than impressing others.

Sundays were set apart. We gathered as a family, and church was a priority. The world wasn’t moving at breakneck speed like it does today. There was time to reflect, to serve, and to rest. We didn’t spend the day at the mall or absorbed in entertainment—we spent it with people who mattered.

Back then, community meant something. When a neighbor was sick or struggling, we showed up. We helped during planting and harvest, treating others like family. Our work wasn’t just about efficiency and profit—it was about relationships. There was an unspoken understanding that we were in this together, that our lives had purpose beyond making money or accumulating things.

Today, technology has made farming more efficient, but it has also made life more isolated. The speed of planting and harvest has increased, but so has the disconnect between neighbors. We hardly see each other anymore, and the value of time spent together has diminished.

We ate healthier—not because of diet trends, but because we lived closer to the land. Our food was homegrown, and our meals were simple. There was no fear of every new illness or the latest health scare. We worked hard, and our bodies showed it. We didn’t obsess over every calorie—we simply lived active lives, serving our families and communities.

These days are gone, but they still warm our hearts. Why? Because they remind us of a time when life was less about distractions and more about purpose. And that is what we need to reclaim.

As Christians, we are not called to live in nostalgia, but we are called to be intentional. What are we chasing today? Are we consumed with entertainment, convenience, and worldly success, or are we living with eternity in mind?

Jesus calls us to a life of meaning. He warned against storing up treasures on earth that fade away (Matthew 6:19–21) and instead calls us to seek first His kingdom. When we invest in others, when we prioritize faith, family, and service, we step into the life God designed for us.

We cannot afford to waste our days scrolling, consuming, and living for temporary pleasures. We must be useful—working diligently, discipling others, and sharing the gospel. When we spend our time helping others, we don’t have time to fear the future. We have a purpose that transcends the uncertainties of this world.

Let’s return to what matters. Not to an era, but to a mindset. A mindset where we put God first, invest in people, and live with eternity in focus. The past reminds us of what we have lost, but Christ calls us to redeem the present. The time to live with purpose is now.

What will you do with the time you have left?