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The Barn
The main out building on our farm was
the barn. It provided shelter for livestock, storage for corn, hay
and other grain. You can identify it as the last building on the
left in the picture.
I remember well when the barn was under
construction around 1945 or 1946. By the Fall of '46 I had reached
the ripe old age 11. One reason that I remember the construction so
well, although I am a little cloudy on the date, is because I
sustained an injury from a playful yet foolish act and I carry a
reminder to this day. I will make a “life's lesson” application
at the end of this post.
For Dad, the construction of our barn
was a source of pride and and accomplishment. Of pride, because of
his desire for the efficient operation of the farming operation. It
was a big accomplishment because of it's size and the design that
made it the most up to date and innovative barn in Clay County.
Unknown in those days; a barn into which you could drive a large
truck into the upper level and unload it. The upper level provided
storage for corn, hay and a room for miscellaneous storage. Hay
could be dropped to the mangers and stables below. The lower level
had a large parlor for cows and stables for horses and a tack room
for harnesses and oats for the horses and special feed for the cow
which provided milk for our table.
The barn served the farming operation
well for many years and was standing strong when I threw the hay down
for the last time before leaving for Bible college and it remained
there for many more years. What about that “life's lesson” and
the injury that I received during construction. The reminder of that
foolish act long ago is a large scar about four inches below my knee.
A footer had been dug and forms were being built for the concrete
foundation. Like almost any eleven year old, I was jumping over the
forms and having a lot of fun. No doubt Dad warned me that I should
stop jumping over the forms. My reaction was, “one more time.”
It truly was the last time because my foot went down inside and my
body kept going and the sharp edge of the oak board of the form cut a
large gash in my leg revealing the bone. Dad had to take me to the
doctor for repair. Could this expense, this work stoppage this pain
and weeks of recovery been prevented. Yes, by one simple rule;
obedience!
I was later in life to learn, that
delayed obedience is disobedience. If you are playful child or an
adult, for disobedience, there is a price, and for obedience there
are blessings. God's Word says, “obedience is better than
sacrifice.” By disobedience we sacrifice God's best for our lives.
When you trust in Christ as your Savior you are acting in obedience
to the Gospel. (see II Thessalonians 1:8)
