A farmer purchases an old，run-down, abandoned farm with plans to turn it into a thriving enterprise. The fields are grown over with weeds，the farmhouse¹ is falling apart，and the fences are collapsing² all around.

一个农民买了一块破旧荒废的农场，他准备把这块农场变成兴旺的园林。然而目前这块地是杂草丛生，房屋破旧不堪，四周的篱笆也是东倒西歪。

During his first day of work，the town preacher stops by to bless the man’s work，saying, "May you and God work together to make this the farm of your dreams!”

在他第一天工作的时候，城里的一个传教士给他送去了祝福:“愿上帝与你一起实现你的梦想吧!”

A few months later, the preacher stops by again to call on the farmer. I am ok and behold，it’s like a completely different place-the farmhouse is completely rebuilt and in excellent condition，there are plenty of cattle and  other  livestock³  happily  munching⁴  on feed in well-fenced pens，and the fields are filled with  crops  planted  in  neat  rows.

几个月以后，那个传教士又一次来到农场，快看那，这里与上次相比简直是天壤之别。房屋重新修好了，条件也比以前好多了，成群的牛羊在欢快地吃着青草，地里的庄稼也整整齐齐的排列着。

"Amazing!” the preacher says. "Look what God and you have accomplished⁵ together!"

“太神奇了”，传教士惊呼道:“看那，上帝和你一起实现了你的梦想!”

"Yes, reverend,” says the farmer, "but remember what the farm was like when God was working it alone!"

“没错，教士，”那个农民说道:“可你也要记住当初这个农场只由上帝一人支配的时候是个什么样子!”