Each Grain of Rice is Labor of Love

Rice paddies in Ubud, Bali

Our Cameron Highlands trip reminds me of a beautiful Indonesian song I learned in school. The lyrics go like this: 

"Nasi putih terhidang di meja, kita santap setiap hari.
Beraneka ragam hasil bumi, dari manakah asalnya?
Dari sawah dan ladang disana, petani-lah penanamnya.
Panas terik tak berasa, hujan rintik tak dirasa, masyarakat butuh bahan pangan.
Terima kasih bapak tani, terima kasih ibu tani, tugasmu sungguh mulia."

Translation:

"White rice served at the table, we eat them every day.

The earth produces diverse crops, where did they come from?

From rice paddies and fields out there, it's the farmers who plant them.

Scorching heat and rain, it didn't matter to them, because people need food.

Thanks Mr. Farmer, thanks Mrs. Farmer, your job is noble."

Isn't it beautiful? It's a simple song that is perfect to teach children to not take food for granted. Each grain of rice is a labor of love. I remember our taxi driver from our Cameron Highlands trip shared how his parents worked ten hours a day picking tea leaves for about $5 of wage a day. Each tea leaf was carefully chosen and handpicked by tea farmers so all of us can enjoy our cup of tea. 

Tea plantation in Cameron Higlands, Malaysia

This picture was taken while we were driving through a tea plantation in heavy rain. I am humbled by the sight of these farmers who work hard despite the heavy rain (and likely also in scorching heat) to earn their living. They don't eat the bread of idleness. 

"The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied." - Proverbs 13:4

Let us be thankful of the food we eat everyday. Let us teach our children to appreciate every single component of the food they eat, remembering the farmers and the people who prepare our food in prayers, and giving thanks to God for His daily bread.

"For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living." - 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12