(First time I reposted it:) Sept. 1, 2013: Yep, here it is again...September..and the beginning of the "harvest time". Everyone said yesterday at my house that I was jumping the gun on Autumn with my fall decorations out already. Just couldn't wait any longer...I am SO ready for fall...how about you? Here's what I wrote 3 years ago and updated last year, and here I am again. Happy September, everyone!
I originally posted this back in 2010, and as I was looking for something appropriate for the beginning of the harvest/fall season...this one popped up. September is my favorite month...probably because it is my birth month...and anything to do with fall, autumn, and harvest seems to elicit warm feelings of golden sunny days with clear skies and crisp, cooler air...I will be writing more about that in the days to come just to get the thoughts of cooler weather in my mind...(living in Florida we dream a lot about fall days...)
Anyway, back to the present...or the past...or well, read on...
(Original Post from 2010)
We used to sing a hymn in church called "Bringing in the Sheaves". As a kid I wasn't too sure just what "sheaves" were supposed to be. I always thought they were saying "bringing in the sheets", you know, on washday, when our mothers brought in the sheets from off the clothesline? (Love that fragrance...there's nothing like putting clean sheets fresh off the line on the bed and falling face first into the billowy white linen and taking a deep comforting breath...aaaahhhhhh...) Pardon that brief interlude into sweet memoryville.
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| Sheaves of Wheat |
Many of my friends have been going through a season of sorrow during the past year, myself included. We have sown many a garden of tears and anguish. Our sorrow and weeping have been from many different sources: Some have lost their jobs, mates, marriage, friends, homes, health and life's dreams. But the thing that all of my friends have in common is that during their time of sadness and disappointment, they have been sowing seeds for a better life. In the midst of their struggles they have discovered new hope, new talents, new friends, and even new dreams. Here is a little list of some of the new ideas and "sheaves" that are now being harvested by those who once were at the point of giving up:
- Starting a new business from home...pet sitting, health food sales, catering
- Combining households of parent and adult children/grandchildren following the death of a mate
- Carrying on the outreach ministry of an evangelist husband who died from cancer
- Starting a diet and exercise program for health reasons
- Writing a blog as a way to reach out and encourage others
- Taking a wilderness survival course
- Going back to school
- Starting a new way of life following a near-death accident that resulted in brain injury
- Wife stepping up to manage husband's tree-trimming business following his near-death accident that left him with some brain injury
- Overcoming fears to be able to travel and visit loved ones and friends
- Starting a brand new job after many months of searching
- Moving to another state to find a new job after many months of searching
- Starting life over after spending many years in incarceration, and facing an extremely unwelcoming and unforgiving world, but determined not to give up.
My prayer tonight is that for everyone who is still "sowing in tears", that we will soon be able to "reap in joy". Furthermore, I pray that we will all soon be able to "come again with rejoicing", bringing our sheaves with us. Let us not forget to give God the glory when that day comes.
"Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful." Psalm 147:1
This is on my Grandpa Tedlie's farm, back in the early 1940's, "bringing in the sheaves", with my cousins on the hay wagon, and my Grandma Tedlie and Aunt Belle walking together to join them.
Psalm 126:5-6 "Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."
Since this was originally written in 2010, some of the people "mentioned" in the list above have had their successes at their new starts in life...others may have had to sow more seeds and are still waiting for the harvest to come in. The important thing is, they are still persevering in their faith...they haven't quit trying. God is still blessing, and in some cases, still carrying them through the dry seasons of life. I could add others to this list who have gone through deep trials and challenges...and who have seen doors closed and new windows opened in their lives. Life goes on...the characters in the story may change, but the plot is still much the same. Psalm 126:5-6 is still true, no matter what. I trust you will find that to be true in your life as well.
Loved this post today. When I read it on Facebook I began to laugh and shake the bed. I am trying not to wake my husband but it was too funny!
ReplyDeleteI also love the encouraging words for those who are experiencing a dark period. The Sonshine will always make things better!
So, what did YOU think the "sheaves" were? Sheep, or sheets...oh the sweet innocence of youth...funny, some of us still think that way! Read the comments on facebook on that subject. Have a blessed day!
ReplyDeleteI actually always knew it was sheaves and knew what that was. I don't know how but I can't remember not understanding. It may be that there were pictures of them in our Sunday school classroom??
ReplyDeleteHowever, when my Dad said to stop pumping the gas pedal or the car would flood, I thought he meant literally! I did not want to drown in gasoline so when I played car I was careful not to push the gas pedal.
That is a favorite hymn and I like the photo of your grandpa's farm at harvest time and the horses pulling the wagon. That is a good round up of you and your loved ones work done, and work to be done.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terra, for stopping by and visiting with me today. I believe you are new to my "Open Window", and I am so glad you came. I appreciate your words of encouragement. I look forward to getting better acquainted with you in the future. Blessings to you!
DeleteWhat a truly touching post, Pam. I know that the deep working of our faith that He brings us to is simply for that purpose...growing our faith deeper. At one time I thought it was a hardship to endure the trials, but now I am beginning to understand and appreciate much more fully to just fall in His arms of everlasting love and rest there, grow deeper in my love for Him, until that trial has passed. Thanking the Lord, for ladies like you, Pam, who love Him and encourage others with His love.
ReplyDeleteOur trials do come to help us to grow in His grace and in the new strength He imparts to us. If we never had any difficulties in life we would never mature into full adulthood...and we would never know just what our Lord could do to help us through those hard places of life. It is never easy in the midst of the trial, but when we have come through it we can look back and see how He was with us all the way. Such a comfort and blessing that builds our faith for future events!
DeleteThank you for your thoughts today, Dianna! I always love to hear from you.
Hi Pam! I knew it was sheaves, but I'm not above mis-hearing lyrics! Happy birthday to you this month!! As you know, it's my birthday month too. Yay for September babies :)
ReplyDeleteI think looking back is always an instruction, and you have shown that even our trials are used as seeds for the harvest. I know many people who are dealing with really hard things, and it's hard to see any blessing in the pain, even when I know there is. I believe there has to be.
May God bless us all in our trials and difficulties. He knows how hard we struggle.
Blessings,
Ceil
I knew you were purty smart! :) Thank you for the birthday wishes. Yes, September is a glorious month for many reasons. I'm glad to know we have that in common as well!
DeleteLooking back is a good reason to write and keep some kind of journal. It does help us to see where we've been and how we've grown...and how God has been there with us through it all. I am always amazed at all the ways God has been there for us even when we weren't aware of His presence. Thank you for being a special friend...another of God's blessings!
Your blog name says it all, Closed Doors, Open Windows and it is true.
ReplyDeleteWe begin to see new avenues when things happen in life that force us to look around.
That is so true. So thankful that our Lord does not leave us without options...sometimes we just have to open our eyes to see what/where He may be leading us when things change... Thank you for stopping by today. Oh, btw, the car is not-fixable. Back to square one. Thank you for your concern regarding that before.
DeleteNo matter what trials we face, those which cause us pain and sorrow, God will be with us, leading us to reap joy and hold onto hope at every turn.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this inspiration today, Pamela!
Blessings!
Pam, Thank you for sharing this again. There's a clear cycle: sowing, waiting (for growth), and reaping (harvest)--this is true for farmers and gardeners--it's also true spiritually.
ReplyDeleteJust a few weeks ago, I had a chat with a dear sister at church where we were talking about binding, as in binding sheaves. Interesting.
Mishearing hymn/song lyrics can be hilarious and humiliating at times.
Blessings!