I loved being at Granny's when a relative or friend stopped by with a truck full of silver queen corn and tomatoes. We would sit under the car port and shuck corn and talk and there was always lots of laughter. I was so excited because I knew supper would be tomato sandwiches with Duke's mayonnaise, of course, and fresh corn on the cob! It does not get any better than that!
When Ivey was a baby I had a small garden. I learned the hard work that went into a garden but there was a great joy that came when I made a salad with my own lettuce and cucumbers. I grew green beans, squash and okra! My family was the first to receive this bounty of hard work!
2 Timothy 2: 1-6, "You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops."
Paul wrote this letter to show what hard work ministry can be. Like taking care of our plants we have to do much the same for others. We have to stay focused on growth. Growing requires living water. We have to weed out all of the clutter in our lives. When we minister to others there is a joy in sharing in the harvest of changed lives!
Thank God for your bountiful harvest. Psalm 100: 5, " For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 118: 1 " Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 136: 1, "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever." This is a season of grateful hearts...so thankful for God's amazing goodness and love.