Sunday Afternoon Tea

The harvest has passed in this Year of Our Lord 2012.

It is definitely my favorite time of the year as I often take the scenic route to and from my home in the country.  Usually I want to get "in town" fast so my car seems to know to turn right at the stop sign and begin the shorter route... through the forest... past the lake... around the subdivision... and then coming to the stop light at the Highway.

However, in the season of Harvest, I stop... look both ways... and go straight... passing barns and horses and sheep and sunflowers and trees in full color and... the golden stalks of feed corn as it dries in the field.

Every year the harvest teaches me about hope... about faith... about patience... and mostly it teaches me about life coming from the seeds we plant.  Just to think that each stalk of the corn will become life-giving food to animals come winter (for the corn to feed people has long ago been harvested), started its' journey with the farmer planting one seed at a time in the ground.

I am in the Harvest season of life as my children have grown and are both married... watching the results of seeds planted from that first day I walked through feet of snow into our small house, carrying a newborn Stephanie... and twelve years later bringing home of all things, a boy! 

I am very blessed as both my children walk with the Lord, both married into families who also live Christ centered lives, and now knowing my grandchildren are raised for Him.  I almost cried when Elisabeth texted me one Sunday and asked if I had gone to church that day.  I responded that I don't go these days, it is that fatigue thing again.  She replied back, "But you DO read your Bible, don't you?".  I was happy to say YES but even happier she asked.  :)

The thing is, I did do some good planting into the lives of my children.  I chose to follow Him as a teenager, I chose to make Him first, I chose to stay in my marriage when living with someone who is bi-polar would send me running for chocolate (oh, yes... and into the Word), I chose to not become bitter when bad things happened, and I chose to do a lot of praying.

I am also an imperfect person living in a very imperfect world.  There were times I pulled up good seed with words spoken in haste.   My decisions at times caused pain and discomfort to others, although when made they seemed right at the time.    There were times I was so adamant about being right only to find out I... wasn't.

But looking back I've figured something out about parenting and friendships and family.  It's really all about Grace.  Just as the farmer was obedient in planting the seed and taking care of the soil, he had to depend on God's sun and God's rain and when the rain didn't come... God's Grace.

Doesn't that take a burden off our shoulders?  If God gives life to a grain of corn, think of what He does in our lives and with our family.  I realized long ago that I must do the best I can and follow Him but I will never please everyone.  I don't have to be a perfect wife, or mother, or family member, or friend.  Which is a good thing as that is impossible.

However, as I follow Him personally the best I can... and point others to know He is the Way and the Truth and the Life... and Love personified... bathing the journey in prayer... the harvest will be beautiful.

We are promised someday to wear a crown and to rule and reign with Him.  I kinda' like the idea of a pretty tiara but my true reward will be to look around and see the faces of those I love... and we will all finally be perfect.  :)