Courage

Just one week ago the fields in southern Iowa were wet and getting wetter. Farmers were waiting, wondering, and worrying about harvest.

Attempting harvest one week ago was not always productive. The days were gray and cloudy. The crops were turning gray and black. The machinery was dirty and gray from all the mud. And attitudes were gray watching crops deteriorate in the fields.

Then about Tuesday the sun came out. Both days and attitudes brightened. And farmers started making progress again with their work. Having courage to accomplish something is often affected by the environment we work in and the folks we work with.

With it already being mid October, lots of crops to get out, and a window of opportunity, the days on the farm got longer and many courageous folks put in long hours. Dictionaries say the opposite of courage is lack of bravery. I think the opposite of courage is lack of hope. 

About mid week farmers were thinking and hoping maybe finally the soybeans would dry enough. Wednesday and Thursday afternoons the soybean moisture slowly improved and by Friday everyone in this end of the state was combining beans. 

Crop quality has been variable. The testing for quality damage has been variable as well. Many farmers are just storing on the farm. Quality ranges from looking just fine to being rejected for discoloration and sprouting.

One morning while repairing the auger hub on our grain cart BJ had the heavy auger drop on his fingers. He had to endure the pain until the guys could get a pry bar and lift the auger. He has a swollen hand however had he not had gloves on things would have been much worse.

Soybean harvest at night is determined by whether or not their is a breeze to keep the night air from coming. Friday night harvest was an all nighter and it was again appreciated when supper shows up in the field. Thanks Cassia.

KCWN, our local Christian radio station had their annual sharathon this week for much of next years budget. It takes courage to trust God to prompt folks to give. Great job Bev and team.

Courage is needed in the workplace. It takes courage to adapt. To change to plan B when the original intentions don't happen. To be willing to make a decision.

 Relationships take courage. Traits I think of and appreciate in folks I work with are positive, ethical, grateful, visionary, and even wise. All these character traits are who we are. Courage is what we do with who we are. In our families to be loved deeply by someone gives us strength while loving someone deeply gives us courage.

 Having the courage to do something doesn't guarantee success. However doing nothing often guarantees failure.

 We have a friend and former landlady nearing death. It takes courage to face the end days of our lives. Remember we talked about the opposite of courage is the lack of hope. Don't leave this life hopeless. Christ gives us hope. The courage we demonstrate is also God given. "Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous." Psalms 27:14