God's Hands and Feet

During my childhood, my father was hospitalized on two different occasions. On our small family dairy farm, his absence was felt in a big way. My sister and I took up the slack as best we could. We got up at 4 a.m. to milk the cows and complete all the chores before school. And twelve hours later we repeated it.

One of Dad’s hospitalizations was in the Spring of my eighth grade year. The fields needed to be prepared, corn and oats needed to be planted. My sister was more experienced with tractors and equipment, but the field work was more than either of us could take on. Mom was focused on Dad, as she needed to be.

It was during this season that we experienced the outpouring of our neighbors. It was something to witness! They had their own lives and their own farms yet there they were, completing all that needed to be done. Not because they had to or because it was expected. It’s something neighbors did.

What an example of selflessness! It made an impression on me, an indelible impression. It didn’t matter if we disagreed on politics or attended a different church, neighbors helped neighbors. We could count on each other to come through in those tough times.

Our neighbors were living examples of God’s Word.

“Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. “ Romans 15:2 ESV

“Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.” 1 Corinthians 10:24 ESV

 “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Galatians 5:14 ESV  

“Everyone helps his neighbor and says to his brother, ‘Be strong!’” Isaiah 41:6 ESV

Farmers are exceptional people. Farming communities are special places.

Larry and I are privileged to live in a farming community. While we are not farmers, we have the joy of watching the seasons go by surrounded by farm fields. We love it! And I know, given similar circumstances as we had so many years ago, the people in this community would rally and do exactly the same thing.

And I thank them and honor them for being God’s hands and feet.