I am no farmer and not much of a gardener. Sue and I grow annuals in flowerpots and once in a while grow some tomatoes, but that’s about it. Something in me would like to be, but I’m not sure I’m up to the commitment it takes to care for the potential harvest, however small. I grew up in urban St. Louis, but even there my father found the time and the space in our backyard to plant (mostly from seed) a healthy, organically grown crop of tomatoes, onions, lettuce, peppers and more. Today, I have friends who participate and work hard in community gardens, and I love the harvest at our local Farmer’s Market.
So I love the harvest (what’s better than a fresh tomato or strawberry?) and stand in awe and gratitude of all those farmers who bring us our daily fruits and vegetables. I am thankful for the often-underpaid farmworkers who plant and pick the produce that ends up in our supermarkets. And, as always, I worship the Creator who waters the fields and blesses the ground with nutrients. I adore the Lord who makes tomatoes taste heavenly and strawberries better than just about anything should be allowed to taste. We too easily take all this for granted. We just go down the produce aisle and there they all are, lined up and waiting for us, freshly misted. Today, let’s remember all those who bring us our food and the God who gives everything that is good: “The earth has yielded its harvest; God, our God, blesses us.” (Psalm 67:7)
Ask yourself in silence: Can our eating (and our gathering together to eat) become an act of worship and prayer?
5 comments On Today’s Word: Harvest
Steve – somehow I think whatever you set your mind and hand on would be a success. Thanks for these daily reminders of God’s power, grace and love.
Thanks for you today reflection!
Thanks, Alfredo. Hope you had a great day.
Thank you, Jim. Always good to hear from you…
At this point in life, I look around and marvel at the abundance that surrounds me . . . . a loving family that continues to grow, caring, life-long friends, a faith that is taking me to heights I couldn’t have imagined, just to name a few . . . this is really making me think about the many seeds planted over the years that are blossoming into fruition. How good God is! We are given so much. And the harvest of fresh fruits and veggies this time of year? Wow!
Thanks Steve!
Kathleen