Make Hay

I grew up hearing it said, "Make hay while the sun shines."  I suppose I had some idea of what I was being told, but only after I got to the farm and started growing hay did I really understand.  Everyone around here who has hay to harvest has been busy this week.  For the past month it has rained nearly every day.  A few days of dry weather sent everyone with hay to cut into the field. There are many moments when those who grow stuff on farms are reminded of the creation and these days have been such a time.   

For those who do not know, when the green hay is cut it lays in the field for a day or two so the sun can dry it out.  Baling wet green hay makes for spontaneous combustion which is not a good thing.  The sun and the heat does the work of drying out the green grass before the baler is taken into the field.  And the other side of the process is that when hay is cut and the rain comes before baling, the quality of the hay is diminished and moldy hay can become the end result which is not a good thing for the farmer or the cows.    

Yesterday we finished baling the hay fields and now 37 bales stand ready for winter feeding.  The small herd of cows which share the farm will be as grateful as cows can be.  And, if the cows are not capable of gratitude, this novice to the farming community is more than grateful.  Seeing the hay fields bare except for the bales waiting for winter is a reminder of the blessing of a partnership with the Creator.  It is His dirt which nurtures the grass.  It is His seasons which create conditions for harvest.  It is His rain which feeds it with needed water.  It is His sunshine which drys it and makes it ready.  And it is His grace to sustain His human partners with strength for the tasks that are a part of being a responsible partner.  Today I am grateful for the hay.   Today I am more grateful for the life giving power of the Creator.