The Farmer and the Scarecrow: An Encouragement for Moms to Stand Firm in Faith

As fall is fast approaching, I have been considering the role of a scarecrow. And so, a short analogy. . . .

Out in a wide, open field stood a scarecrow. Day after day, she remained in her place—silent, steady, and unshaken. Her job was simple but vital: to stand firm and guard the crops from the crows circling overhead. Those crows were eager, even relentless, swooping low with sharp eyes and sharper intentions—to steal, to spoil, to destroy. Yet when they saw the scarecrow, they pulled back. Her very presence was enough to make them think twice.

From a distance, the scarecrow looked small against the vastness of the field. She endured scorching sun, biting wind, and pounding rain. The storms raged, but still she stood. To anyone passing by, it might have looked like she was utterly alone—forgotten, insignificant, powerless.

But that wasn’t the truth. If you leaned in closer, you would see the farmer was never far away. He was the one bent low in the soil, hands stained from pulling weeds, eyes watchful as he watered tender shoots and pruned back branches. His was the work of growth. His was the power of life. The scarecrow didn’t bring fruit from the ground—that was not her role. Her strength was in her faithfulness, in standing exactly where the farmer had placed her, guarding the harvest he was bringing forth.

And this was no accident. The farmer himself had fashioned the scarecrow—he created her for this very purpose: to be bold, to be steadfast, to be a figure of courage against the darkness that threatened to steal the harvest. Without the farmer, she could not stand. Without the farmer, she had no purpose, no strength, no place in the field.

And so it is with us, as moms. We were created by the great 'Farmer' with intention. He has placed us where we are—within our homes, within our families—not by chance, but by design. Our children’s hearts are the tender shoots of his harvest, and though we cannot cause them to grow, we can stand guard. We can fight back against the crows of fear, distraction, and lies that circle overhead. We can stand firm—not in our own strength, but in his.

Because our 'Farmer' has promised to never leave us in the field alone.

The Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who gives the growth.” We aren’t the ones who make the growth happen. Like the scarecrow in the field, our task is different: to remain steady, visible, and faithful while God cultivates what He has planted in our children.

And Scripture also calls us, as Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love” (NIV) This is the heart of the scarecrow’s work—and the mom’s work too. Standing guard. Standing firm. Standing strong, not in our own power, but in the strength of the One who placed us in this field.

This is the heart of the scarecrow’s work—and the mom’s work too.

Standing guard.

Standing firm.

Standing strong, not in our own power, but in the strength of the One who placed us in the field.

It may look like we’re standing alone in our homes, repeating the same daily tasks, unseen and uncelebrated. But just as the scarecrow depends on the farmer, we depend fully on God. He is the one who gave us this role. He is the one who equips us. He is the one who never leaves our side as He does the cultivating, the growing, and the bringing forth of fruit in our children’s lives.

Scarecrow Mom Freebie

Click Here

Takeaway for Moms

So obviously, your role matters! Even when it feels repetitive, unnoticed, or small, you have been created for this work. You may not see the growth right away, but God is faithful in His cultivating. Your presence, your prayers, and your steadfastness as you guard your children’s hearts have an eternal impact. Let this be some encouragement for you as a mom.

Practical Ways to “Stand Guard” in Your Home

1. Pray Over Your Home Daily Just as a scarecrow stands visibly in the field, let prayer be a daily marker in your home. Pray aloud over your children, your spouse, and your house. Invite God’s presence into the ordinary moments.

2. Set the Tone With Scripture Place God’s Word where it can be seen—on the fridge, by the bathroom mirror, in your child’s binder. Like the scarecrow’s arms stretched wide, God’s Word is a banner over your home.

3. Be Consistent in Your Presence Sometimes the power of the scarecrow is simply that it doesn’t move. As moms, our steady presence—listening ears, open arms, gentle correction—creates a safe place where our children know they are loved and protected.

4. Guard What Enters the Home Just as crows are kept away from the harvest, be mindful of what “flies in” through screens, music, or conversations. Ask yourself: does this bring life, or does it chip away at peace?

5. Trust the Farmer’s Work Don’t carry the burden of being the one who must produce spiritual growth. That is God’s role. Your faithfulness to stand guard matters, but the fruit is in His hands.

A Prayer of Encouragement for Moms

Lord, thank You for creating me with purpose. Thank you for entrusting me with the role of standing guard over my children’s hearts. Help me to be faithful like the scarecrow in the field—firm, unshaken, and dependent on You. Remind me daily that You are the one who brings growth, and that I am never standing alone. May I trust You to cultivate what I cannot, and may I find joy in the role You have given me. Amen.

For those who need hope during a trying season, Desperate by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson will inspire. Click HERE