“A man finds joy in giving an apt reply — and how good is a timely word!” Proverbs 15:23

As the year comes to a close, I find comfort in reflection more often than not. This is especially so when thinking about family and grandchildren.

My granddaughters, Grace and Lucia, are at the wonderful age of seven as they express a contagious spirit of excitement while learning new skills. Eva, the little sister, is eager to follow suit as quickly as she can. She is the one with the first question during our FaceTime visits; “Can we come to your house, Grandma and Grandpa?” She melts my heart every time!

This year, Mother Nature provided us with a bounty of crops, even though we were lacking in sufficient rainfall following a delightfully productive wheat harvest. How fortunate we were that subsoil reserves were the difference between disaster and an average fall crop of beans and corn. We were only one timely rainfall event away from repeating last year’s record-breaking yields in corn and beans.

Ever mindful that material blessings are fleeting, here one day and gone the next, I remember days when financial worries were difficult to ignore at this time of year. For some farm families, this may be the year when low commodity prices and average crops are insufficient to make a profit and sustain the farm. It may be time to ask the hard questions; do you have enough equity to absorb the financial losses? Do you cut back, or prepare an exit strategy for your family?

Regarding family; two families within our church and farming community are preparing to celebrate the holidays for the first time without a significant other. A spouse from each family succumbed to cancer, after having survived through countless sessions of chemotherapy and surgery. They leave behind spouses, children, grandchildren and a host of friends.

I am reminded of another proverb; “Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel.” Prov. 27:9

Whether times are difficult, either through low prices or the loss of a spouse, my thoughts turn to these words of wisdom. As we prepare to celebrate Christmas with family and friends, let us enjoy the blessings we have been graciously given while being mindful of those in our community who have lost a spouse, or a father, mother, grandmother, grandfather or child.

Let us also reach out and extend a compassionate hand to those who may be struggling, regardless of circumstances.

Penner is a Marion County farmer and past president of the National Association of Wheat Growers. His email is [email protected].