It’s harvest time. For some women, it means you’re swingin’ the single life, except for when you are called upon to get a part or take food to the field. You’re praying for sunny weather only to have a week’s worth of rain, which in one respect is nice, because then you’re married again.

But you’re married to a total grouch who can only see that his crops are not getting harvested and he’s losing the race to have everything done by opening day.

Days get long, tempers get short and hopelessness begins to make a home in your heart. Giving up is always an option when you’re feeling hopeless. In fact, it’s the easiest option of all – but what do you get from giving up?

I read about a guy who was in the same situation. He began with a beautiful farm, a charming wife and the most beautiful children to round out his happy home. Life was good – really good. He was good – really good – at everything he did and every choice he made.

He had health, wealth and lots of great friends. He was an all-around great guy whom everyone loved and admired. One day things began to crumble. He began to lose his help on the farm and his crops began to fail. Before long, one by one he lost every one of his kids. He still had his wife and friends, but then he got sick and suffered for a long time with a rare and painful disease that puzzled doctors and eluded remedies.

His friends tried to help him out and his wife stood by his side. Even when his hope was down to a flicker, he never lost it completely. Although it was a painful season in his life, he never gave up.

The hope he had continued to flicker and as long as he had hope, he continued to live life, make right choices and not shove the blame on anyone for his horrific circumstances. What did he get for not giving up? His health was restored. His farm began to make a profit. He began to grow his cow herd; he even diversified and got a flock of sheep.

When his life was totally on track again, he doubled his land base, doubled his cow numbers and his sheep were even showing a profit.

The second half of his life was twice as profitable as the first half and he died a happy, healthy family man with a legacy that continues to awe people today.

Why? Because he was tested and did not give up doing the right thing.

Can the same thing be said about you? If you lost everything, would you still persevere? Would you continue to make right choices? Could you pass a test like this?

Suffering produces perseverance. Perseverance produces character. Character produces hope and hope does not disappoint. How much hope do you have today?

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication.