A Sense Of Duty

A picture often speaks a thousand words. A five year old feeling important, with his home in the foreground, returning from helping pick up pizza for Saturday evening supper. Thanks to a father who has given his son a sense of duty. Thanks for the picture Kurt.

There are three things that come to mind this morning that kids need to thrive. They need to feel loved. They need to have a purpose, (a sense of duty). And they need to have a world that's bigger than just their own. Meaning that they shouldn't be made to think they are the center of the universe but that they have a care and concern for others.

Jacob helped us move firewood to our house yesterday. Jacob comes with his Dad on Saturdays to help out. Most of us know that giving kids chores help them learn responsibility. Working with them on those chores helps them feel included.

Rewarding kids after the completion of those chores with a thank you and a pat on the back helps them feel they had a part in a productive day and affirms them. After power washing the shop floor I invited Jacob to join me in drying our boots in front of the knipco heater.

Karl and help were busy this past week selling fat hogs. He is emptied out and sent a snap letting us know that tomorrow morning at 7 am he will have breakfast pizza at the hog shed for our crew as we help him get the shed ready for 12000 three week old pigs next week. Thanks for the picture of Malaki, Kasey.

We worked in the shop some this past week mostly on trucks. With our sloppy roads the wash room part of the shop has been keeping busy.

We cleaned out five grain bins last week. Cleaning out a bin includes following a sweep auger around the bin with a shovel and broom. It's harder work than it looks and the grain dust, even with a breathing mask on, usually has one waking up the next day feeling a little tough.

Kudos to Mike who is usually on a dozer for helping us clean bins and deliver corn this past week.

At Kurt and Emily's place, Kurt has installed a newer sweep auger system that really makes bin cleaning faster, safer, and easier.

One day when Kurt wasn't home BJ and Kasey needed something and were trying to figure out if there was a way to get in his locked shop. :)

Jan and I attended a play Thursday evening put on by Oskaloosa Christian Grade School. Several of our grandkids participated. They did an unbelievable job. A big thank you to Angie, Cheryl, the costume volunteers, and all the others who made this happen. I'm sure it was a ton of work however it was cool to see the kids enjoying working together.

Friday evening Jan and I went out for supper. We went to Melodies in Eddyville where Rowdy with the orange hat served us. The place has just a small town feel of neighbors getting together and even sharing tables. We shared our table with a couple from Peoria who came to check the place out. After some "Dutch Bingo" with the couple we didn't know, we agreed it's actually a small world.

Thanks for this picture Deann and Kathy. Last Saturday Nuper, Carroll, Bruce, and Joel left for Uganda to share the gospel. These men truly feel a sense of duty as they take the time to help those less fortunate.

Last Sunday was baptism at our church. Ben and Courtney and Chris and Kelly had their children baptized. Baptism signifies God's promises to us that He considers children of believing parents His own and our promise to Him that we will tell and show our kids about the Lord and his love. Pastor Jon not only asked the parents but also our church family about our sense of duty in the responsibility we have in raising children.

In our church after baptism an elder usually presents the newest members to the congregation. It was neat to see Jerry, an elder, take his grandson down the isle. In 1996 Hillary borrowed an African phrase when she wrote a book called It Takes A Village, talking about needing government intervention. The African proverb actually means that an entire community have a sense of duty in raising kids. In 2005 my friend Rick wrote a book called It Takes A Family, telling how the strong family structure is necessary for a healthy environment. Critics called Rick's book "13th century", meaning our sense of duty for children is too old fashion. 

Old fashion or not, we not only have the duty but the privilege to help our future generation be loved, have a purpose, care about others, be productive in society, and an asset in God's kingdom. Thanks for stopping by. See you next week.