Activities of the Nighttime

On my drive to Delaware tonight I saw something that surprised me as I was on 896 South at almost 9 pm, well past dark. I saw ahead under passing lights what looked like illuminated dust blowing around on the road. At first, I thought it might be smoke.

As I entered into this dusty cloud I looked off to my right and about 20 feet or so from the road I saw four horses pulling a large, high-up, illuminated Amish plow. It was quite a site, and as I pondered an Amish farmer plowing after dark I looked off to my left and just a stone’s throw past the first one I saw another four-horse drawn plow moving along the field across the road.

When I think of the Amish–or any farm-based people–I assume they are “up at the crack of dawn” and likely turn in to bed quite early. Though I have a small homestead-like farm of sorts (I suppose having nineteen chickens, three sheep and significant gardens and an orchard qualifies as some sort of “farm-like” abode), I am definitely a night owl “farm-stress.” (is that a word? like a seamstress…a farmstress or shepherdess???)

I tend to focus on more computer-based and other types of work in the first part of my day, and often begin outdoor tasks just before or after dinnertime. I have my own systems of outdoor illumination and actually, especially in the hot months, find it quite relaxing to work when it is cooler and sometimes into the very late night hours.

I have a potting table set up out back now, and it can be relaxing potting up cuttings and such outside on a lovely fall or spring night while listening to something on my phone. Or doing a number of other outdoor maintenance tasks…even collecting eggs at night rather than in the morning hours.

Seeing these Amish farmers at work by night (with whatever illumination still possible) hard at work to plow and plant was exciting to me. In the fall, I have the same excitement when the huge, illuminated harvesting equipment passes my home after dark–sometimes late at night.

Those who are close to the land have a deeper comprehension of just how important (and challenging) the timing and necessity of both planting and harvesting is; there is a short window of time where so much must be accomplished. The efforts during these seasons are more intense than the in-between times of maintaining and nurturing that which was planted, while awaiting the harvest.

Jesus taught us so much through parables relating to seeds/plants/nature/growth/harvest.

Tonight, as I drove along after seeing this unusual site (I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Amish plowing at night before, but perhaps it is common) I kept thinking of the text that says,

“As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.  While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:4-5)

Tonight I thought more about moving through darkness and about the urgency and diligence required of those who follow Jesus. There is also a weariness that besets those who, for whatever reason, find themselves needing to work into the late hours and in the darkness. Indeed, this world seems to be in a state of much darkness, and the hour seems late to keep plowing, planting and harvesting.

After seeing the two late-night Amish field-plowers tonight, a little ways later I glanced to the left of the road and saw a beautiful doe. She was crouched somewhat, seeming to be about ready to spring across the highway when my headlights caused her to pause and then retreat…

There were probably others with her…more activities of the nighttime in the realm of nature. The animals are hungry at night, and activity in the darkness continues as they roam and search for their sustenance. They are also like the birds that Jesus spoke of: they too do not sow nor reap, yet, God cares for them by night and by day.

Though clearly many activities of all sorts take place in the dark, it is the light of Day which will reveal the various works that were that were done by night…