Fearless Faith

On the isolated plains of Eastern Colorado are found homestead windbreaks, shelterbelts that protect property in high winds, reduce erosion, and drop snow in the form of moisture granting drifts. Two inches of wind-driven snow can do wonders for the soil profile inside a windbreak. Wildlife also depends on the windbreaks to support links in the food chain including rabbits, kangaroo rats, gophers, snakes, owls and other raptors such as the red-tailed hawks and an occasional brown or bald eagle. Songbirds of various kinds are encouraged by diverse plantings, as well as a wide variety of pollinators. Deer and pronghorn have become more frequent visitors.

Several theories abound as to best maintenance practices. Though aesthetically pleasing, manicured windbreaks are generally not considered to represent an ideal biome. Still, too much deadwood in cedars and other windbreak trees can hinder air movement. Pruning that is too aggressive diminishes the break’s effectiveness. Somewhere in the middle there lies a happy medium that can be elusive. Time constraints often dictate the routes we take regarding windbreak management. Translated, it’s a wonder we are able to keep up with the mowing, let alone spend hours pulling tumble weeds out of the dense undergrowth. A durable mower has become one of our favorite pieces of equipment.

There is an art to knocking down undergrowth and grasses without creating too much havoc. Every year is a unique challenge. We forget the amount of growth that occurs from one season to the next. Familiar paths in and about the shelter belt can surprise. Each season there are several areas to mow that are suddenly too tight to safely navigate. This was amply demonstrated by a recent encounter with a few lower tree branches while mowing. The ear muffs were the first to be stripped off, followed in short order by a baseball cap and sunglasses. Fortunately, the items fell behind the mower instead of in front. A good 20 minutes was consumed because of my stubbornness in insisting I could make it through one of the gaps in the windbreak. The more lasting message is to never forget to look up as well as down and forward.

Shelter belt maintenance and faith works share many commonalities. Reluctance to acknowledge new paths of understanding can be limiting, even dangerous at times. Our conviction that there are only single truths (pathways) is worth revisiting, and there is no better time to do so than on a mower. In addition to spatial awareness, listening to what the machinery has to say — its pitch, vibration, and tenor — provides clues as to how things are functioning. Topography and ground speed must be considered, as well as routine maintenance like sharpening blades and locating all the grease zerks at wear points on the tractor and the deck. It is immutable law that there are always more zerks than can be found.

Not surprisingly, the feat of understanding the Bible is similar, a combination of owner’s manual and real time experience. Continual processing of information is called for, particularly as the equipment ages. By then, a small amount of wisdom might be gained that informs us how to navigate challenging spaces. And while mowing, it is always well to keep your cell phone in a zippered pocket. Another lesson learned.