Since moving to the countryside, I’ve been loving it even more than I expected. One of my new routines is chopping firewood, and today, my husband and I decided to reorganize the wood shed. The logs weren’t properly arranged by dryness, as we hadn’t sorted them based on when we received them. After nearly six hours of hard, manual labor, we finally got it done. It was physically demanding, but incredibly calming for the soul.

Having worked desk jobs my whole life, I often joke with my husband, saying, “I wish I had a manual labor job.” In reality, I’ve always enjoyed simple house chores and cooking—tasks that let me work with my hands.

This verse comes to mind: “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands, just as we commanded you.” (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)

I believe we’re built to work with our hands. It humbles us, deepens our appreciation for life, and reconnects us to the natural way of living. In all of this, our hearts are drawn closer to God.