The fairest thing in nature, a flower, still has its roots in earth and manure.
– D. H. Lawrence
EARLY IN LIFE, my father, who was a small farmer, taught me how to apply both organic manure and inorganic fertilisers to vegetables and plants. The value of such practical lessons still remains with me. I saw how the use of such fertilisers over time aided greatly in enhancing the growth and development of the crops to which they were applied.
Now many years after such exposure, I can appreciate an analogy Jesus used as he sat with twelve men and said to them: “You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt loses its flavour, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing, but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”
The meaning of the word “salt” in the context given is not sodium chloride or pot salt, but manure or fertiliser. That is why the phrase “of the earth” is used. Jesus was challenging this core group of men very early in their journey with Him, to be excellent “manure” within the soil of humanity.
This counsel obviously has implications for men enriching their personal lives, the well-being of their families and by extension the good of the wider society. What a relevant lesson for adult men to consider and especially at a time when so many young men and women are desperately in need of “salty” role models.
There are three important components that are inferred in the analogy of manure as recorded in the narrative found in the Gospel according to Matthew in Chapter 5. There are life, health and wealth, each of which is worth examining.
There is life in manure.
How does manure give life? Manure enriches the soil and allows seeds to germinate and eventually produce healthy crops. Jesus seemed to have studied the soil very well because in another instance He said if a seed falls into the ground and does not die or does not surrender itself to the power of the manure, it will never live. On the other hand, he said if it dies or yields itself to the power of the salt content of the soil, life will emerge. As men, we should see ourselves as life-enrichers to young people who may be eagerly waiting to benefit from our exemplary lives.
Role models
There are young men and women whose innate passion is to experience extraordinary growth and development. These youngsters are looking for outstanding male role-models with good social, moral, emotional, mental and spiritual “nutrients” that can assist in stimulating their latent ability which, over time, will burst forth with freshness of purpose.
Let us, therefore as mature, stable men, decide to nurture one or more youngsters in our community, church, school or workplace for at least one year and make a significant positive difference in their journey in life. Men, be life producers.
There is health in manure.
Manure not only releases life, but it also produces health. When the ingredients of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other micronutrients are present in the soil and absorbed by the plant, a healthy product results. I sat one day and listened to a well focused young man who recounted how frustrated he was in his early life and how glad he was when a respectable man in his community decided to guide him by precept and by example.
Today, he said, he is eternally grateful for coming into contact with that rich “human manure” which helped him to remarkably develop his inherent capabilities. He is now doing the same for other young people.
As men, we must see ourselves as health-producers for our youngsters by cultivating the kind of moral “fertile manure” in our lives from which they can absorb wholesome life-nutrients for holistic development.
The time has come for us men to take some of these youngsters under our “wings” and expose them to healthy values. Such a venture has the potential to result in young men and women producing the kind of fruitful lives worthy of commendation. Men, be health producers.
Manure has yet another important function. It can create an environment for wealth. By wealth I am not just talking about money, but more so an individual being wealthy in intangibles such as wisdom, knowledge, integrity, good manners, peace and patience. If life and health are present, then there is nothing to stop an abundance of “wealthy” fruit springing forth from the ‘tree” of one’s life.
I know of a young girl who, in her growing up years, had a horrible relationship with her biological father. She began to exhibit clear signs of insecurity which was making her a potential candidate for human vultures.
I remember a mature man who was known for his integrity came alongside of her and genuinely nurtured her potential to a place where she has now become an outstanding businesswoman, impacting positively the lives of many young people. What a tremendous lesson for us as men as we seek to meaningfully mentor youngsters around us. Men, be wealth producers.
As men let us be consistent in our lifestyles. This consistency will give our youngsters hope for their future families. Let us be committed to charting paths of wholesomeness.
Such commitment has the capability of pointing our youth in the direction of excellence, where their minds are nurtured with values that will keep them stabled, focused and resilient in the midst of life’s uncertainties. Let us be confident that our long-term investment in these youngsters will eventually pay off.
Our present and future generations of youth are depending on us to be the best “manure” into which they can depend to plant the valuable seeds of their lives and that of their families. Let us not disappoint them.
• Haynesley Griffith is a marriage and family life consultant. Email: griffitharticles @gmail.com
