It’s early morning on the farm. As I fix my first official sack lunch of the season for Mr Farmer, he and all the men are on their Smart phones, strategizing for their first full week of harvest. Combining actually started last Saturday evening about 6, for some odd reason. Joe had a field of beans he checked on, and sure enough, they were ready to go. One field down, over the weekend, and many to go! THE RACE IS ON! This group of farmers has hit the ground running, as if they heard someone proclaim, “Gentlemen, Start Your Engines……….” and saw the flag lowered. As I think of our farmers, I also think about all the farmers in the Midwest…..thousands of them, gearing up for their big marathon. Long hours, hard work…….lots of food in those fields, which feeds a multitude of people and animals.
With rain in the forecast for Tuesday, I’m guessing today will be a very long day. But that’s OK. The men are excited to get these crops out, and they have kicked it into high gear. Their steps are fast, their plan of action is smooth and accurate. Off they go, armed with phones, coolers, favorite drinks and plenty to munch on as they will eat in motion.
This field, which I call THE GREAT WALL OF CORN, is directly across the road from our house. It has hemmed us in since August and I’m quite ready for it to come down! It’s been fun to watch the corn grow since April, yet I’m ready for my south view back. I so love that about our place. We have a good view from all 4 directions. And you know me…..I love to take shots of the scenic views, especially sunrises and sunsets.
This beginning of harvest reminds me, once again, of a favorite passage from Philippians 3 entitled, Pressing on Toward the Goal. Of course it is talking about Christians running our race here on earth, to do our best for the Lord Jesus Christ, as we work and focus on Him. And the goal, of course, would be our destination…..Heaven.
“…………. but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do; Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heaven ward in Christ Jesus.. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things.
For our harvesters, their ultimate goal is running the race for Jesus Christ, but their immediate focus is to get the soybeans and corn out of the field and hauled safely to a large grain elevator or grain bin on site.
I ask you to pray for them. The combines get plugged up, early on, as the plants aren’t dried out completely and dead yet. If reversing the engine doesn’t fix the problem, the driver is underneath cutting and pulling to get those tight stems freed up. Dangerous. The equipment is running on high and so are the guys…….often times with little sleep.
And thanks for remembering to watch out for them as you are traveling on highway or byway (gravel road)……they always seem to be right over the hill. (And I always seem to be in a hurry!!!) Not a good combination!
Give them a wave and a smile as you are passing by. They love it! Believe or not, the hand gestures are not always waves!!!
Happy Harvesting, Fellas!!
I’ll keep you posted. 🙂
A green and a yellow combine in the same family!
You did a great job of describing ‘the race’. Salage and wet corn are feed to cattle on this farm in NE IA, so harvest started last week and the combine operator has his left arm in a sling! Hopefully he knows his limits.
Know farmers have a love-hate relationship with the weather when in the fields but when they are running the race I am always glad when the caution flag (rain) happens. When it rains everyone can catch their breath, get a few extra winks and have a safer harvest. And let’s not forget those needed pit stops. Rain helps with the proper repair not just a “keep it running” patch.
May all in the family have a safe harvest. And kudos to the pit crew (wives, kids, etc) who are just important as the operators because they help,the pit crew keep it together.
Thanks for your comment, Karen, and for reading our blog. We love connecting with farmers and wives all around the Midwest who understand our unique lifestyle. Yes, we do have a yellow and a green combine! I’m sure some of the neighbors around here have spoken about it, too. Ha! 🙂 They are both excellent machines, having their strengths and weaknesses, just like people. (Some farmers just don’t want to admit, though!!) Tee Hee!
You are a compelling writer. Keep up the good work.
Happy Harvesting, blogging friend.
Denise