Every year at a state fair, there was a contest for the best grown corn. And every year, the same farmer won.
A reporter interviewed the award-winning farmer and asked how he grew such high quality corn year after year.
The farmer said he shared his corn seed with his neighbors.
The reporter was shocked. “How can you afford to share your best seed with your neighbors?” he asked.
The farmer replied, “Well, sir, the wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn as well.”
.
I think that farmer was onto something way bigger than just corn.
As President Hinckley said, “Tremendous happiness and peace of mind are the result of loving service to others. Nobody can live fully and happily who lives only unto himself or herself.”
We need each other. If we want a good life, we need to help those around us have a good life.
I love this similar invitation in Isaiah 54:2, “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.” (NIV)
.
Enlarge your tent.
Stretch the curtains wide.
Don’t hold back—
That’s how we grow good corn and good lives.
come follow me daily 