One Sunday morning in February, the pastor made his way to the rural church through a blizzard, arriving with only five minutes to spare. He entered, turned on the lights, and glanced about. No one else was present. As he was going to turn everything off and go home, an elderly farmer entered, coated in snow. The pastor replied, “Oh, hey, Joe. It appears that no one else could make it. “I suppose we won’t have a service today.”

The elderly farmer looked at him for a moment before saying, “Well, Reverend, I know I am just an old farmer, but I can tell you this: if I take a load of hay out to the field to feed my cattle and only one cow shows up, I still feed it.” The pastor, mortified, replied, “Of course.” You are correct. “I will go get ready.” So the pastor began the service and, encouraged by the farmer’s faith and dedication, preached forcefully for the entire two hours.

After the service, the pastor approached the farmer and said, “So, Joe…” “I hope you enjoyed today’s sermon.” The elderly farmer glanced at him, shook his head, and remarked, “Reverend, if I go out to feed the cattle and only one cow shows up, I still feed it, but I don’t give it the whole fookin’ load.”