We had our Saturday planned in detail. My job entailed pulling the dump wagon behind the large farm tractor. My oldest son was in charge of the smaller tractor that pulled the box blade to smooth the road. And my husband moved between the front loader and excavator digging large piles of clay and sand. Our goal was to repair and build up the road so our vehicles no longer get stuck after every rainstorm (it’s getting very, very old). We also hoped to paint and hang the new gate at the front of the new road.

            After only four or five dumps, the dump trailer broke, so I lost my job. The front loader refused to lift because the hydraulic fluid was low. Needless to say, we had to step back and refigure our day.

            I drove to town and picked up the items we needed while my husband tried to form a new plan. Instead of hauling dirt in the dump wagon and Carter running the smaller tractor, the kids and I painted the gate, then sat around watching my husband work on the front loader and excavator. My plan of being useful and productive all day was no longer happening.

            So, the kids and I hauled garbage to the dump and picked up the front yard. I took a nap and then drove back to the place where my husband was working. I pulled up a chair and just watched. I felt useless sitting there. But since the weather was beautiful, I chose to rest and watch David work instead of staying inside.

            After the grade was finished, I drove over the new road to test it. Once we made it back to the house my husband thanked me for staying outside with him. If I had not come back outside, he might have quit before the road was finished. Just my presence helped keep him focused.

            The job I planned to do couldn’t be accomplished. Sitting in my chair seemed to hold purpose. But in actuality, productivity had to be redefined. Sometimes being productive isn’t about what we accomplish. It’s not about having a job and completing the task. Sometimes the work belongs to someone else, and our only job becomes supporting their progress. Saturday, I learned to redefine productivity.

            Productivity isn’t always working, sometimes it means resting. It means support. Or even allowing someone else to complete the task and get all the glory. I never imagined productivity happening by my backside resting in a chair, but it was exactly what my husband needed to keep his head in the game

            Do you need to redefine productivity in your life?