Sunday Rest Day

We’re Christians at Greatworth Hall Estates and throughout the generations here we have always lived our lives as best we can in accordance with what the Bible says is best for us.

One of the first and, we believe, most important yet challenging instructions in the Bible is to rest on the Sabbath, just as God did when he created the world.

Over the course of the 150 years our family has farmed here, we have sometimes found this to be incredibly difficult but so, so important. In harvest season when the sun is shining and everybody else is getting their crops in, or if there is a poor forecast for the week ahead, we choose to keep the combine in the shed and rest. Farming is so weather dependent that the challenge of taking a good sunny day and doing nothing is so tough! However, over the years we have found that a day of rest is so beneficial for our wellbeing, our business and our relationship with God.

The only time you will see us at work on a Sunday is during lambing season, where for the welfare of the animals we keep going 7 days a week. This takes its toll after weeks of lambing and we as a family are looking forward to having our rest days back. And of, course shepherding and making sure all of our animals have enough food, water and shelter is carried out every day of the year.

Sometimes we are desperate for that rest day! In busy seasons we work long hours six-days-a-week and so we make sure on the Saturday that we set ourselves up to do as little as possible on the following day. That means on Sundays, we can rest, spend time with God, meet with family and friends, and look after ourselves. Our crops have always been harvested, we have never not got the work done - although, of course, some years are easier than others!

On a Monday we feel refreshed for another week. And our relationship with God feels closer because we’ve spent times being obedient when it’s hard, sacrificing because of our love for Him and spending time at church in His presence.