That's Where the Tall Corn Grows

 

“We’re from Iowa, Iowa, that’s where the tall corn grows,” as the song goes. This picture of my mother was taken when she was 19-20 in the 1940’s. Her father was a seed corn dealer, and she often helped him in the fields. Please note that even though it was harvest time, the corn is not that tall.

Due to nutrients, hybrids, etc., our corn can grow as high as eight feet.  (The world record is over 30 feet!) “Knee high by the 4^th of July” no longer applies to our corn stalks.

 

It is also true that humans, in general, have grown significantly taller than their ancestors. According to my google search, it all comes down to nutrients: vitamins, minerals and proteins. This not only affects us physically, but intellectually. After all, look at all that has been achieved in the last decade or two or three that only very clever minds could accomplish.

So I think it’s safe to say that we are stronger physically and intellectually.

I’m not sure about our emotional and spiritual strengths. In a recent New York Times article, “Making Modern Toughness,” David Brooks asked veteran college teachers and administrators to describe how college students have changed over the years. The answer often was: “Today’s students are more accomplished than past generations, but they are also more emotionally fragile.” There are obviously a variety of reasons for this.

Spiritually? Many of our churches across the world sit more empty than full on a Sunday morning. I’m not saying you cannot be spiritually fed without being in church. But, it has to help.

Where am I going with all this?

I’m not sure, other than it gives one something to think about….

Plus, I really like this picture of my mom, the corn, and the clouds…. Perhaps a harvest setting capable of more serenity than large machines marching through the fields.