Here is a funny story from my Grandfather's dairy farm. At dinner with my grandfather, I had an important question. "Why did he name a cow stupid?" I knew all the cows had names. 'Stupid' was, well... a stupid name for a cow. Laughter erupted around the table at my question.
Confused, I explained myself. Earlier in the day, in the milking barn, I watched the cows exit. One of the cows tried to go out the wrong door, a door much to small for a cow. My grandfather yelled at the cow, "Wrong door stupid!" I assumed the cow's name was "Stupid." Embarrassed, I realized my perception provided a wrong interpretation.
How many famous dairy farmers can you list? It is not a job that leads to fame. The day starts around 4:30am and cows have to be milked every day of the year. Not much time to do other stuff. My grandfather was not famous, he was a godly man who:
- Delighted in the law of the Lord (Psalm 1)
- Worked hard
- Loved his wife for 60 years
- Loved his family
- Prayed for lots of missionaries
- Stayed faithful for over 90 years
Some impressive stuff, But recently I learned my grandfather
- Travelled the world visiting and encouraging missionaries
- Was president of the board for the Harrisburg Youth for Christ six times
- Started a Good News bible club in a black neighborhood during the 1950's
- Helped start a church
- Was a great neighbor
- Donated the meat from at least 100 cows to an organization ministering to international students at Syracuse University
- Taught hundreds of people in Sunday School classes
My perception of a godly man who was a dairy farmer totally missed the point. January 17, 2011 John Hertzler, my grandfather, passed away at the age of 94. An ordinary man living a day at a time for God, producing an extraordinary life. He achieved very little fame in this life. But I know he is getting all kinds of attention in heaven from the people impacted by his life. Not bad for a dairy farmer.
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