A Cup of Cold Water

My dad had a good friend who was a farmer near Churchville, Maryland.  Mr. Briney was an enterprising man always looking for ways to make his farm profitable.  One summer, I was working for Barberry Sod Company in Darlington, two miles from Mr. Briney’s farm.  They negotiated with Mr. Briney to cut sod from his pasture.  For two months prior, Mr. Briney mowed his pasture and got the grass in good shape.  Then, we arrived with sod cutters, pallets, and trucks.  It took us a week to remove sod from the ten-acre pasture.  It was Friday and everyone was hot and tired.  The week was over, and the work almost done.  Over the hill came Mr Briney on his old International Harvester tractor with his milk wagon in tow.  And inside the wagon was a #2 wash tub full of soft drinks.  There were Cokes, Dr. Pepper, orange Crush, and Sprites, all covered with ice.  What a treat on a hot day!  He drove down to the spring at the foot of the pasture and parked the tractor.  We hurried down, took off our shoes, and cooled our feet in the spring water.  Everyone had a cold drink and relaxed in the soft grass.  Paul said in Galatians 6:10, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men …”  St. Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.”  That day, Mr. Briney didn’t have to say a word.  Everyone knew his Christian testimony, and it spoke volumes.