Alien Soil at the County Fair - Not!

How shall we sing the Lord's song *upon an alien soil? Psalm 137

On Friday afternoon in Clay County this week in April, the Fair is the place to be. The weather was perfect, and the crowds showed up. It was a beautiful array of humanity and not alien soil at all. Conversation with the 8, 7 and 5 year old on the ride out there included memories of the freak show of old, the sweltering heat of past fair visits and the funnel cakes that sometimes made you sick. But we agreed that freak shows don't happen anymore, funnel cakes were too expensive and the weather couldn't have been better...and the sea of people was like the colors of a rainbow.

Moms, dads, children, grandparents, friends and youth of all ages and stages milled about smiling and laughing and occasionally crying. Everyone was dressed for comfort; there was an air of sabbath time...rest and renewal and leaving the cares of the world behind. Cows, pigs, rabbits, sheep, chickens, turkeys and guinea fowl whose owners entered them for prizes including best sheering of sheep or finest steer or most beautiful plumage were as big a draw as the Banana Jet and the Cliff hanger rides. It was just a great event.

Smiles were the instrument that played the Lord's song. The many faces of God beamed and children were happy and adults relaxed. Much of our land and our government is alien soil these days. Many of us are seeking asylum from it. Maybe everyone just needs a trip to the county fair or at least to play the Lord's song with a smile.