Sunnybook Farm Revisited
By Susan Manzke
This particular column was written in 1981, very early in my column writing career. We’ve changed, our weather varies from year to year, but farmer’s heavenly requests continue. We keep on praying to get sun and rain in just the right amount and try to live with what we’re allotted. This past spring, many farmers were in their fields early. Some got rain when needed, others did not but no matter what, we seem to be always asking God for something.
Farmer’s Prayer
It’s always silent. Not a word is ever heard. It’s the heart of every man or woman concerned with crops out in the field. It’s the farmer’s prayer.
My heavenly requests started in mid winter. I was trapped indoors with three children and a man crazed with cabin fever. The one who could end our imprisonment was reached only through prayer.
“Oh God, let the sun warm the hills and the valleys. Let green spring come. And let my nervous husband sit once more on his tractor to till the soil…. His winter pacing has a ten-foot path worn across the living room run. … Amen.”
My prayer was answered … finally spring arrived. A little late, in my opinion, but it arrived. Was it my fault it came as a wet, rainy spring? Did I forget to say I wanted a dry spring?
“P.S. God, thank you for the glorious spring. I appreciated it very much. But I do have to ask you to hold back the rain. My husband’s still in the house. Now that living room path is 15 feet long…. Amen.”
Well, He heard my prayer again and our crops found their way to the ground and there they sat high and dry…. I must have forgotten something again.
“It’s me again…. I’m sorry to bother you, but remember that rain you so graciously turned off? Well it would be greatly appreciated if you could turn it back on again…. Please?”
This year my prayers were answered tenfold. The rain came and gave life to failing fields. But again it didn’t want to stop. So I humbly approached the Almighty once more … and after awhile, the weather changed. The clouds remained, but they were dry. Only trouble now is the slight shiver threatening an early, killing frost.
“God, I know winter has to come. I’ll even welcome its white beauty, in time. But would you mind holding the cold off until we get our crops out of the fields…. I promise not to complain… much … about a long, cold winter. If only you let fall continue warm and dry a little longer…. Amen.”
I’m not sure what the answer will be to this last prayer, yet. But I know it won’t be my last request.
