Letter from Pastor David Bateman
Harmony Note September 16, 2021
“This the day our God has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!”
The sun is shining, a breeze blowing, a perfect early fall day to enjoy whatever activities may be on your schedule. As Carol and I drove to a meeting in Mount Morris (Ogle County Beef), we saw a few bean fields harvested, silage chopping done and a lot of preparation for the coming season. Talking to some farmers last night and my nephew yesterday morning, some early combine samples indicate moisture levels of 19% reflecting the dry conditions and heat for the last several weeks. I suspect harvest will soon be in full swing. Be Careful !!
As a farmer, the excitement of spring planting culminates in the “fruits of our labor” when combines extract the seeds and kernels from those crops. It is a time again of long days and short nights, of moving large equipment on narrow roads shared with impatient drivers. Pray for safety and patience for everyone.
As farmers battle the effects of Mother Nature, excessive heat, lack of timely rains, storms that have created “down corn”, and tight supplies of parts and labor, the stress can be overwhelming. It plays out in many ways affecting both farm and family. Please keep all of them in our prayers, as well as the support staff of truckers and elevator workers, and farm labor in its many forms.
We need to remind ourselves of the blessings of geography. We may battle some down corn, but we have a crop. We may complain about some weak soils and some drowned out early planting, but we have a crop to harvest, and markets that want it. We are blessed!
We may have the latest technology and the most efficient equipment, talented and dedicated help, and the greatest seed selection available, but we still must rely on our Creator to bring that seed to harvest. We hope and trust, relying on God’s gracious goodness as we move from seedtime to harvest of 2021.
We are the beneficiaries of generations of farmers who have tilled and planted and harvested these farmlands increasing productivity to feed ever increasing populations. We are blessed! Please pray for safe successful harvest!
Remember - God is Good, All the Time – All the Time, God is Good !!! Amen!
Blessings and Peace and Love,
Pastor Dave
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