There are many vignettes -- brief, evocative accounts or episodes --in Grant's life that bear mentioning. Here are 3 of them.
1. Grant was "a restless, energetic man, who must have occupation, and plenty of it, for his own good" (p. 69).
2. While he was stationed in Oregon, Grant leased 100 acres of farmland near the Columbia River. He planted potatoes, corn, oats, and onions. "His hands grew rough and calloused from hard labor and he developed a slight stoop from bending in the field" (p. 79).
3. After he tendered his resignation from the army, Grant was at first depressed. Later, however, he realized that his army departure was providential. He saw "a redeeming side to his resignation, even though it had been wrung from him against his will" (p. 86).
I'll be the first admit that I am somewhat addicted to activity. But staying consistently busy doesn't always mean being productive. It's important to leave downtime for ourselves throughout the day, even if it's just a small break. I also need to remind myself constantly that self-worth doesn't come from being busy. That said, studies have found that the older we get, being busier is linked with advantages such as faster cognitive processing, greater reasoning ability, and improved memory. Like anything in life, moderation matters. My challenge at 73 (soon to be 74) is to craft a stimulating strategy that empowers rather than overwhelms.
I can also identify with Grant's love for the soil. Being a farmer now for some 26 years, I've come to realize that farming is a calling, a way of life that requires dedication, hard work, and resilience. It's a journey filled with joy, happiness, challenges, and a deep connection to the land. While the journey may be arduous, you find joy in even the simplest moments on the farm. Our farm is now a third-generation enterprise. One of my sons now works the farm, as does one of his sons. His hands are so calloused from work you could light a match on them. For our family, farming is not just a job. It's a meaningful and (I would say) essential part of our life. The challenges are real, but so are the rewards.
As for Grant's resignation from the army, failing can absolutely be a profound blessing. For every "no," there's a significant "yes" waiting. When I dropped out of my beginning Greek class at Biola after just 3 weeks, it wasn't about failing. It was about learning. Every time we fail to meet a goal, we gain insights that are only attained through experience. By recognizing (as Grant did) that failure is simply feedback, we can turn every setback into a foundation of strength. In the words of Nelson Mandela, "I never fail. I either win, or I learn." Many of our dreams fail, not because they they were impossible, but because we stopped trying too early.