Harvest Time

I think Harvest time is one of the best times of the year.

My wife Sharon is a keen gardener and recently we have benefited from all her hard work. We have tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes, potatoes and runner beans in abundance. Earlier we had peas, broad beans, strawberries and raspberries.

I forgot to mention the carrots, we could never grow carrots! But this year Sharon grew them in a raised bed with amazing results. They are huge and tasty.

Growing things is all about giving. First of all, you have to give some seed to the ground; if you hold on to the seed you will never grow anything. Secondly you have to give your time, time to prepare the ground, plant the seeds, weed and tend the young plants and eventually harvest the produce. If there is no willingness to do all these there will be no harvest. Third, when there is so much produce it is good to share it with others.

It won’t be long before the Christmas season is upon us. If we can harness this concept of giving right through the winter season, then our lives will be much happier. Even giving a smile or allowing someone to go in front of you in a queue.

I have heard the story of two seas. The sea of Galilee has water flowing into it and water flowing out. The sea is teeming with life. The Dead sea only has water flowing in and none flowing out. Nothing lives in that sea.

Jesus came to give to everyone; he gave food, health, hope, purpose and ultimately eternal life. His nature is to give. Following him will help us to have the same attitude.

Try it and see.