ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

Round barns became popular for dairy farmers between 1890 and 1920. Their design enabled cows to point their heads to the center and feed from the central trough attached to a silo. The back end of the cow was then in a better position to be milked. They were more expensive to build and the geometry involved in the design didn’t always sit well with the builders. There are still a few of them dotting rural landscapes. We have one near us that’s been restored and reused by local artisans. Paul and his plein air group used it as an outdoor painting location. The painting you see is one that he completed on one of those destinations.

Many of his sketch books are filled with drawings of various barns. Farms played a part in both of our early years. Paul spent summers working on a farm near the family summer home. I traveled by train with my sister to spend the summers with our grandparents in an agricultural setting. I think every child should have that experience.

The old, round barn had seen better days. A paintbrush might light up her face. The outside attracted highest praise, but inside she was a disgrace.

We’re not much different than this old barn. We might cover our sins with our works. Inside hearts falter and cause us harm. Satan moved in there and he still lurks.

Our hope is in Jesus – God’s own Son. He paid the full ransom for our sin. He bought our redemption with His blood. Our hearts are cleansed without and within.