Barn-Raising: The Power of Community
Have you ever wondered what our world would look like if we all worked together in times of need? What if, instead of struggling on your own, your community rallied together to help you whenever you needed it, and you did the same for others?
Several years ago, a tornado ripped its way through Holmes County, Ohio, affecting 15 acres of land and destroying a forest in the process. Four Amish barns were also destroyed, along with farm machinery and other contents.
A typical farmer would have been devastated by such a loss. That wasn’t the case for the Amish farmers in Ohio, though, because they knew they had the support of their community.
Gene Lodgson, a local farmer and writer from Upper Sandusky, explained that the devastated forest was turned into lumber within three weeks of the tornado, and four new barns were quickly erected.
What amazed me when I read this story was (1) how fast the barns were built, and (2) that no outside help was needed. The Amish community came together and built four massive, three-story barns that will stand the test of time, as most Amish craftsmanship does.
The community donated hay, grain and animals to replace what the storm had destroyed. Furthermore, most of the cost of the building and replacement was funded by the Amish Church’s internal insurance arrangement. Rather than waiting months for insurance claims to be resolved, this internal funding structure reacted almost immediately so the barns could be rebuilt.
The Amish support each other. In times of need in their community, everyone lends a helping hand. The men, women and children all pitch in to offer support. Displaying an unusual level of compassion, there is no expectation of reciprocity, because the focus is on giving to others.
“Barn-raising” is a community affair, and everyone in the community rises to the occasion. In addition to offering support to the recipient of their efforts, people get to enjoy a “good visit” with each other, thereby strengthening the bonds within their community.
What if the concept of barn-raising wasn’t limited to Amish communities? Imagine a world where helping and supporting people in our community was part of our community’s – or our country’s – DNA.
What kind of support would you find valuable? And how could you make a difference by helping others?
How much better our lives would be if we knew that, no matter how tough things got, our neighbors would always be there to help pick us up and dust us off. And that we were willing to support others in their time of need.
Resolve today to be that kind of support. Not just when a tornado strikes, or a neighbor’s house is burned to the ground. But also in your everyday interactions, when someone might need a kind word, or to have someone simply listen to them because of the challenges they’re facing in life, or to invest time with someone because they’re feeling isolated.
Create your own community, and be a “barn-raiser.” Your community can include your family, your neighbors, your friends, or your work colleagues. Be a positive example to others, and model the way for helping others.
Small acts, when multiplied by communities, can change the world. When we all work together to support one another, there is no limit to what we can achieve.
