I tried to move on, but I couldn't shake my curiosity. Was this some sort of cruel trick? I had to know. As long as I can remember, cows have said "moo", sheep have said "bah", and barns are supposed to be red. If you thought I was going to say something about 3 singing pigs, you might need to lay off the childrens' books.
Anyway, thanks to technology, the reliability of information from the internet :), and a solid signal from AT&T in the middle of nowhere, my curiosity didn't have to wait long. As it turns out, centuries ago farmers used linseed oil (taken from the flax plant) mixed with milk and lime to create a long lasting paint that dried and hardened quickly. The red color came from Ferrous Oxide, commonly known as rust, which was added to the paint because of it's ability to kill mold, moss and other fungi, that if left alone, would quickly decay the wood.
What fascinates me most about this is the resourcefulness of these farmers. Granted, they couldn't have hopped on their horse, ridden to Home Depot and thrown a five gallon bucket in their saddle bags, but instead of doing nothing, they used what was around them. Oil from plants they grew, milk, lime, and rust, and the problem was resolved.
I am blessed to work in a great church, with an awesome team of people, but as I look at myself and the ministry world around me, I do have to wonder if we are being resourceful. As the economy crunches down and budgets are cut, I wonder if we are quick to make excuses or if we are stepping up the the challenge to find new, more resourceful ways to do what God has called us to do. How have you seen this in your ministry context?
