Harvesting and Sowing: 4 October 2009

Living in or traveling through the rural areas of NE Wisconsin this time of year, one cannot help but notice the signs of fall and approaching winter: corn fields are in the process of being or already have been harvested, some fields not long ago abundantly green are already plowed and barren of plant life, flocks of geese are beginning to head south, even the number of various bird species has decreased as they too have headed for warmer weather. Just yesterday I noticed a flurry of Eastern bluebird activity in the back yard; today they are gone, presumably until early spring arrives again. Outside our home is a field of barley, planted as a late crop after the winter wheat was harvested. The past couple of weeks a pair of sandhill cranes has visited daily to partake of the barley almost ready for harvesting. They are a curious pair – when I leave the dogs out the cranes squawk loudly and dance around in a frenzy probably in an effort to protect their bountiful territory. Otherwise they go about quietly reaping and eating some of the handiwork of the farmer’s planting.

Late last May when I planted the garden, the tomato plants looked so fragile and tiny. The growing season, although quite dry, proved to be a good one and the tomato harvest has been quite abundant. So much so that a good many quarts of tomato juice have been processed to date with more to come. By my estimation there already has to be enough to last through the winter, into spring, and maybe even until next year’s first tomato ripens on the vine. It’s a wonder of nature, with little skill on my part, to be blessed with a harvest plentiful enough to offer one enjoyment of the fruits of her or his planting, weeding, watering and preserving handiwork for months to come. The saying “We reap what we sow” literally rings true for us gardeners this time of year…in a very good way!

“For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork” (Psalm 128:2) is a good reminder that although we can take this verse literally, as I wrote in the paragraph above, it also moves us to look deeper into how we live and relate to others. Our handiwork bears fruit when we set aside our own “vices”, perhaps those of conceit, arrogance, indifference, intolerance, bias, etc. to place our focus on building bridges and relationships with open and honest and caring and compassionate communication. A good turn done for another in need does indeed return to us in abundant ways – a smile, a thank you, a kindness returned – the fruit of our handiwork of kind generosity. The psalmist also reminds us that it is not by our hands alone that we prosper but also by our faith in and reliance on the grace of our Sacred Creator’s abundant Love and blessings.

Although it’s now harvest time, I wonder…what is it, at this very time that we now wish to sow and watch as it grows?

Peace on the Journey.