Have you ever considered how much faith those involved in that first Christmas needed? Mary, who was told the Holy Spirit would breathe a new life into her. Joseph who stood by her side despite what the rumors may have been. The Wise Men who traveled many miles to a simple manger filled with hay expecting a king. And the shepherds who were told to leave their flock and follow a star. I am sure they were wondering if they would have any sheep left when they returned. Faith in something they could not completely understand is what guided all of them forward.
For farmers, faith is a necessity. You plant crops every spring and fall, not knowing if the seeds will ever produce a harvest. You breed your cows for offspring that won’t be productive members of your herd for almost three years, not knowing what those next three years might bring. You put up a year or more worth of forages and feed supplies without knowing what the dairy market might look like a year from now. Even the very best dairy economist will admit their forecast is at best an educated guess.
You have no way of knowing if that calf will get sick or your planting season will get rained out or if the dairy pricing complex will collapse. But it’s that sense of faith that moves you forward. Some years having faith is harder than others. This past year for many seemed like one of those years. There were loved ones lost, relationships broken, terminal illnesses to battle, and financial hardships to face. And, on the farming side of the equation, the weather didn’t cooperate nor did the dairy pricing complex. Truthfully, there were times this year when I found myself questioning, “Seriously, was this part of your plan?”
But the Bible tells us that even faith the size of a tiny mustard seed can carry you through the unimaginable. Do you know how small a mustard seed is? It takes 32 of them to measure an inch. It takes several hundred of them to weigh a gram.
Staying Vigilant
Having faith doesn’t mean sitting idly by and just expecting everything to fall into place. You still do your research to ensure you select the best genetics to make sure the calf advances your herd’s potential. You still work long hours preparing the ground and applying fertilizer to make sure the soil has the nutrients it needs to feed that crop all season long. You work to harvest your crops at the most optimal time to ensure the best quality feed for your herd. You evaluate your numbers and know your costs to determine your breakeven and how best to manage through the downturns.
But, even with all that preparation – all the tireless hours – sometimes things don’t go according to your plan. You give the calf the best quality colostrum, make sure she has the optimal care and timely vaccinations, and set her up for success, only to find that she hung herself on the gate as a yearling. You have a beautiful stand of corn and the perfect amount of rain right up until pollination when it suddenly dries up. Those are the times when you just have to let go and let God.
Finding the Joy
Being on the farm can also provide moments of unexpected joy arising from the muck. In my role, I get to hear many of those stories throughout the year. One producer was so excited because, after struggling and facing setback after setback, they finally got that very competitive grant to build their value-added business. Another farm family shared how so many people in the community show up immediately to help after they suffered a parlor fire. Probably my favorite was when I heard that a farmer friend finally received a lung transplant after many months of waiting and is doing well. That is what the Christmas story reminds us – even in moments of incredible brokenness, wonder can happen. That is why it is important to have faith.
There is a season for everything and a time for every purpose. No matter how hard we work or how much we learn, we can never fully understand why everything happens the way it does. This past year has served as a reminder for me. Not everything makes sense, and we do not need to always understand why. Faith the size of a mustard seed – that is all we need. From everyone at the Center and Foundation, I wish you a very Merry Christmas, filled with grace, love, and most of all, faith.
Editor’s Note: This column is written by Jayne Sebright, executive director for the Center for Dairy Excellence.
