Thought for the week: Providing a non-judgmental pastoral listening ear
I had the privilege of visiting the 157th Balmoral Show not once but twice this month. My first day’s visit was with our three grandchildren.
Seeing the animals and agricultural machinery through their eyes was huge fun; watching the sheep being shorn, the bulls being judged and the pigs on display. Their excitement was palpable, dashing round all the stalls and picking up freebies to bring back home; stickers, pencils and, of course, sweeties!
The second day was rather more potent; meeting incredible people heavily invested in the rural community, individuals not always honoured by the general public as they ought to be.
Talking to John McLenaghan, president of the Ulster Farmers' Union, officials and livestock distributors, it is clear that there are issues that weigh heavily upon farmers and their families at this time.
The international situation is volatile and there are continuing underlying challenges, from the cost of diesel and fertiliser, to the continued presence of TB, a huge issue for cattle farmers, while with milk selling for just above the cost of production, some dairy farmers are actually providing milk at a loss.
With so much of a farmer’s life beyond their actual control – the cost of borrowing, dangers at work, loneliness leading to stress - it is so important to talk, to engage with farm support organisations, and for churches to pray with sympathetic understanding for politicians, vets and all involved in the agricultural sector.
I was hugely encouraged therefore to meet fantastic staff members of organisations such as Rural Support, The Farm Families Health Checks' programme, the Farm Safety Foundation (or ‘Yellow Wellies’ as some know them!) and to hear first-hand of the excellent work by the Rev Kenny Hanna and his Rural Chaplaincy team who are keen and willing to offer support with an understanding, non-judgmental pastoral listening ear.
We remember the words of the Lord Jesus, who said: “Come unto Me all who are weary and heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Well done then to Rhonda Geary, group operations director at the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society and her excellent team for all the hard work which made this May's show such a worthwhile event and we encourage them with our appreciation in their preparations for next year’s 158th Balmoral.