I like reading about farmers, the internal machinations, what makes them tick, that kind of thing. Two articles in Seattle Pacific University’s magazine Response caught my attention on this very subject. The longer of the two is a feature on Del Wisdom, a successful Eastern Washington farmer, who is named the 2010 Alumnus of the Year. The other is a short piece profiling Hillary Jensen, a 2002 graduate of SPU who returns to the family farm.

Rather than rewrite what already exists, here are two quotes to whet your appetite:

““I’ve made my share of mistakes but I love it. It makes a living I enjoy… The love of what you do moves you forward.” Del Wisdom

“In 2006, I quit my office job and knew I needed to do something life-giving…I’m ridiculously happy with what I’m doing. I get to play in the dirt.” Hillary Jensen

Also common to these two stories is the meaning and deep faith that both Del and Hillary find and bring to their work. More than a job, this is a vocation, a calling to a place that is greater and deeper than it might appear on the surface.

Writer Frederick Buechner said it so well, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

And isn’t that farming?  The act of creating and re-creating is truly a place of deep calling.

What’s your calling?

P.S. Hungry for more life-affirming Buechner quotes?

Ron Wall is constantly on the hunt for insights to fuel his relentless creativity. He can be contacted directly at Ron.Wall@adfarmonline.com