Working Together
Hey Everyone! Tyler here —
For this journal entry I really wanted to share an excerpt from the OLR History that struck a chord with me: the day my dad realized that he no longer needed to work the Ranch by himself.
This event happened on one of the last days of his faith formation with the Disciples of Jesus and Mary, where he was required to spend some time in solitude. This occurred near the beginning of the farming operation at OLR when he was overwhelmed with the amount of work and frustrated that his dream of a Catholic Community and Retreat Site had still not come to fruition.
As it happens so often in the Bible, God is heard in the silence of nature — which is exactly what happened to dad…
As I (Phil) walked up the small mountaintop of Our Lady’s Ranch, I began reflecting on how busy I had been the last few months and how all the farm work was really getting in the way of my family life. I wasn’t just thinking it; I was actually really frustrated because of it. So I walked up the hillside to find my solitude and solace with God on the hilltop, where I could view out towards the vast Sacramento Valley, with the snow-capped Coastal Mountain Range beyond. But I couldn’t really enjoy God’s company because I was too busy complaining to Him about my busyness. And the more and more I ascended up the mountain, the more and more my mind busied itself with these thoughts of being too busy. By the time I reached the top of the mountain, I didn’t notice the spectacular view there because my eyes were focused on the dirt below as opposed to the wonder of God’s creation above. And my heart was focused on the dirt of my busyness below as opposed to the wonder of God’s creation above, which was my family.
So quite naturally, at the height of my worldly frustration, I supernaturally asked God for His inspiration. “What’s wrong? What’s wrong? What is wrong?” And then I added, “I’ve done everything you’ve asked me to do, and God knows, more! And you’re God so you know I’ve done more than you’ve even asked! Why is this so wrong? I’m doing everything for my family, yet I don’t even see my family. This is like a self-defeating exercise that only goes in circles.” Well, God let me spin around in my head for a while and He let me vent my frustrations, and then, as soon as I calmed down I asked, “Okay – What?” Then He said, clear as day, and it was so clear that I still remember it now word for word – “You’re doing the right thing! But you’re doing it in the wrong way.”
Wow! I wanted to reply with something like, “What the hell are you talking about?” But that would have been a bad choice of words :) Yet within an instant, before I could actually respond to God, it all became so extremely clear to me – like adjusting the focus on a telescope. Within a moment’s flash, a whole book of knowledge and wisdom was illumined in my heart. And as I pondered the extensive meaning of those divine words, the majestic view of the mountains beyond became clear, while the miraculous view of my family life now came into focus as well, within the guiding light of God’s wisdom.
“You are doing the right thing, but in the wrong way.” You are living close to the land; you’re living a simple life; you’re creating an environment that is conducive to love and prayer… But you are doing it alone – What are the kids doing? You are doing the right thing, but now… Do it with your family! This concept of family work might seem obvious to many people now, but in my earlier training of life, dads worked and kids didn’t. Well, that might have been the plan that I had learned, but that was not God’s plan. And besides, for me at the time, the kids were little and everything would take much longer if, “I took them with me.”
So now I could see that at least two huge errors had been clouding my judgment. The first was my own blindness to the purpose of life. What’s most important? Getting the job done, or the way you get the job done? Society pressures us to get the job done now, regardless of who we crush in the process. But God invites us to slow down and enjoy the work, while doing it with others as an expression of love. The second misconception of our compromised culture is that having kids work is somehow unethical. However, I have come to realize that not having kids work can be (in some cases) a hidden form of child abuse. And paying kids an allowance usually teaches them entitlement. So God was teaching me a more old-fashioned way of raising kids – To offer them specific tasks for specific pay, just like adults do in the real world. So that’s what I began doing more consistently, and now they have all developed a strong work ethic along with a rather conservative approach to spending money.
And now, after twelve years of following God’s advice from the mountain top that day; I can add that working with the kids has been the single most gratifying experience of my entire life. Every project we do together is a wonder and a joy because they are each little wonders and joys. And every experience with children is filled with God’s love, even when they make mistakes – especially when they make mistakes (learning opportunities). And watching them grow has become breathtaking as I now watch them teach and supervise our new employees.
Our children, each one, has become an inspiration to me and all those who are blessed by their friendship. I have so many stories of people’s reactions when they meet the kids; from firm handshakes to eye contact, and especially the knowledge that they share about farming, hunting, cooking, and all aspects of our agrarian family life. When approached by others about their mature behavior, I usually add something like, “Yes, I understand – I want to be like them when I grow up!”
Excerpt from the History of OLR by Philip Zeiter
I have to say that growing up working together as a family was one of the most challenging, unifying, and amazing things that happened for my six younger siblings and I. Some of our best memories are from working in the heat of the garden or rounding up cows in the rain (at the time we didn’t always enjoy it, but there’s something to be said about the perspective that we now have).
Because of that revelation to dad on the mountaintop all those years ago, all seven Zeiter kids have a work ethic that I can humbly say is unparalleled in today’s modern culture. We understand the value of hard work, of money hard earned, and of the joys that can come from those two things when it’s time to rest and play. It’s because of this personal experience and knowledge that my parents imparted to me that my husband and I have decided to bring our children back to Our Lady’s Ranch for summers of farm work, family prayer, and wholesome play.
Working hard together is not by any means a form of child abuse but a core developmental experience that will benefit the children and the parents in the long run. It guarantees a grateful person rather than an entitled person and sets up success for future generations.
Dirt, sunshine, and smiles are the gifts from God that can heal a broken soul — and all three are free :)
Until next time, God Bless!
Tyler Straight
Oldest Zeiter Kid
OLR Design & Outreach Manager
