Are You Sowing or Reaping? (reposted) (again) and again!

SEPTEMBER 13, 2015.... OCTOBER 19, 2017  Just saw this one again and thought I'd post it again. Still appropriate today.  Happy Fall Y'all!

(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.

Sheaves of Wheat

So, just what are "sheaves" anyway? According to the dictionary they are a bundle of stalks of grain, like wheat, corn, etc., which would be the harvest of that which was sown.  The hymn no doubt was singing about the harvest of souls. The Psalmist  (see Psalm 126:5-6 below) is also talking about a type of harvest of souls, but I would like to make this more personal than that.

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:

1. Starting a new business from home...pet sitting, health food sales, catering
2. Combining households of parent and adult children/grandchildren following the death of a mate
3. Carrying on the outreach ministry of an evangelist husband who died from cancer
4. Starting a diet and exercise program for health reasons
5. Writing a blog as a way to reach out and encourage others
6. Taking a wilderness survival course
7. Going back to school
8. Starting a new way of life following a near-death accident that resulted in brain injury
9. Wife stepping up to manage husband's tree-trimming business following his near-death accident that left him with some brain injury
10. Overcoming fears to be able to travel and visit loved ones and friends
11. Starting a brand new job after many months of searching
12. Moving to another state to find a new job after many months of searching
13. Starting life over after spending many years in incarceration, and facing an extremely unwelcoming and unforgiving world, but determined not to give up.

I am certain there are many more "sheaves" that are being harvested in the hearts and souls of others of whom we are not even aware.  Someone has said that everyone is fighting some kind of battle.  We can't always know what some of our closest friends are going through.

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.

Joy Comes in the Morning...or afternoon, or evening!

Psalm 30:5b "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

I'm not going to comment on the current state of the union regarding the passing of the Health Reform Bill...I think it has been discussed enough online, on TV, on facebook, and everywhere else already.  God will reveal the truth regarding this whole "event" in due time.  Just please continue to pray for our nation, our leaders, and our families and businesses.  Enough said.

Now on to other things...Yesterday I was having a rough day as I mentioned in my blog last night.  I had another restless night, this time not so concerned about my new job, but my son.  I prayed the night through for his safety, security, and his emotional and mental state.  It's hard when your child is hurting and is too far away for you to hug, reassure, and show him that you love him.  I don't care how old he or she is, he will always be your child; the one that you loved and cared for, prayed over, doted on, and had on your heart from the moment you were aware of his conception. As I said last night, I just had to commit him to the Lord and trust that God would come up with a plan.

This afternoon I was elated to speak with him on the phone and discover that he was at his older brother's home, which is a couple of hours away from where he staying, and that they were enjoying one another's company and spending some time together.  Some of the issues of concern were being addressed, and he has a second interview for a new job scheduled for tomorrow.  His cheerful voice was reassuring me that he was going to be just fine and that I shouldn't worry about him.  (Who me? Worry? What makes him think I would ever worry???) 

Whew! What a relief!  Now I can get back to concentrating on my new job...which went very well today, praise the Lord!  Oh, yes, there were issues...and moments of wonder and confusion and semi-panic...but with God's help, (and your prayers) I got through the day.  The mess on my desk will still be there tomorrow, and I will tackle the stack one page at a time. Several people stopped by to visit and introduce themselves, and I was able to share with them the story of the painting on my wall...you remember? The harp and the grand piano (it was a grand, not a baby grand...) and how it reminds me when things get hectic to stop and "Praise the Lord with the harp and make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings."  They may even hear me let out a "shout of joy" now and then!

Yes, "weeping may endure for the night", but JOY DOES come in the morning! Praise the Lord!