The main thing…

I reach my hand into the rich, dark soil and pull out a fistful of wriggling red worms. They seem fat and happy, fed on a singular diet of organic bananas. Returning them to their farm of many thousands, I next check in the large tank that sits underneath them, measuring the amount of “ worm pee”, which is the harvest of this worm farm. This liquid gold is the super food of fertilizers, which is destined to be exclusively applied to our crop of organic vanilla, a plantation occupying a full acre of the Nest farm. Explaining the complexity and sensitivity of growing vanilla would take too many words.

Next comes the fascination of seeing 600 day old baby chickens, their little black eyes and so much fluffyness. These are cared for, fed and watered and will join our current egg laying “ chicken city” in about 4 months. And with each egg they lay, they instantly become supporter’s of the Nest, donating all they have in order to advance our future operations and self sustaining efforts.

Don’t get me started on our flock of sheep, ducks, or our growing and processing the coffee and cacao.

Simultaneously to our farm and market operations, we plan and organize the youth outreach programs, the one on one coaching and training of the staff, the emotional and spiritual development of the children that come here for safety, and the ongoing learning process as we move toward governmental recognition and licensing as the only children’s shelter in the BriBri territory.

So what’s my point in saying all this?

Well, it takes a lot of wisdom, patience, courage, clarity, and strength to keep these differing Nest operations in harmony. And not just on a community level but also on a personal level. Do we possess these qualities in our own strength? maybe for a little while, but certainly not for the long haul. And so finally, here my two points.

I have to daily beware of the “ ME Monster”, that deadly beast of pride that wants to brag & boast of the Nest's accomplishments, the one that twists God's blessings into entitlement. I see how that played out for the wandering ways of the people of Israel from biblical times, the Lord can give, but can also take away.

Secondly, it’s so easy to get lost in the weeds, the busyness of running a farm, and maintaining the environment of the Nest village. There’s the danger of reaching a “So What?” moment where I look around and see so much progress, but in the process, I lose direction. I believe that’s a common theme in all our lives, good intentions and where they may or may not lead us.

Do I think the Nest is at this point? I do not, but I believe it’s crucial to wrestle with these notions, to learn from the past mistakes of others and to not think we are better or immune from these things.

Let me leave you with a couple quick thoughts.

What the Lord has accomplished here is truly a fruit of faithful dependence on Him as the one and only supplier of all good things. So, as He has started, we will continue to walk in His grace.

Secondly, there’s a line from an old hymn that says

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face,

and the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

in the Light of His glory and grace.”

Finally, I love the simple but profound saying that says

“The main thing, is to keep the main thing the Main thing.”

I pray this over the Nest as well as into each of your lives.

With love and gratitude

James Beach