Monday, the sun was shining and the temperature was in the mid-seventies. Today, there’s a skiff of snow on the grass, and the temperature won’t get out of the thirties. The change in the weather is a real shock to the system. But I’m not going to complain. I’m just grateful the weather held on Monday, the day a dozen or so local farmers harvested grain for a fifty-year-old farmer, Lyle Babbitt, who was diagnosed with lung and liver cancer two weeks ago.
I drove to their farm Monday morning and took pictures of the big event so the Babbitts would have a constant reminder of their community’s support. Lyle’s wife Brenda babysat for Anne (from birth to age 3) and Allen (from age 6 to age 8) before her first son was born. She used to take our kids to the farm sometimes. Anne was too young to remember much about it, but Allen has fond memories of the farm, of calling Lyle and reading jokes to him from whatever joke book he’d bought from the monthly school book order.
Wednesday, I emailed Allen about Lyle. Our son was pretty shook and called later in the day. “Why Lyle?” he asked. That’s the question the whole town’s been asking. Why Lyle? He doesn’t drink or smoke, is a wonderful father and husband, a valued hospital employee, a wise farmer, a Christian who lives his faith every minute of the day.
The only people not asking that question are Lyle and Brenda. “We’re Christians so we know everything works out for good,” Brenda told the newspaper reporter who came out to cover the harvest story. “We just don’t know what that’s going to be and God’s timing is not our timing. We’re just taking a day at a time.”
“At least it’s a beautiful day and we’re making the most of every day we can. Praise the Lord,” Lyle added. “Every day is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.”
I read the article to Allen on the phone. He was quiet for a moment and said, “When I have a chance, I’m going to write to Lyle and and list every joke we told each other. I can remember a lot of them. And Mom,” he added, “tell them I love them, and I’m praying for them.”
I hung up the phone, thankful for a double harvest: Lyle’s grain is safely stored in the elevator, and the compassion his love reaped compassion in my children’s hearts. Will you join me in praying for his sons, Chuck (16) and Eddie (13)? Pray that Lyle’s love and the influence of men of character and faith who fill in the gap after their father is gone, will lead them to trust God as their parents do. Pray for people of compassion to surround them and comfort them in the hard days to come.
