Gift of the harvest
I have a tiny garden this year–nine plants. Although in years past, my family had an enormous garden, for the seasons since 2019, I haven’t had one. But this year, I received a gift of the harvest.
A gift of the harvest
Our Pastor for the past two years recently transitioned to another church. As we were helping her load furniture and possessions, we found a large number of potted vegetable plants. “Want some plants?” she asked. “I don’t have room to take them with me.”
Of course I wanted plants!
The farmer girl in me misses our garden. I selected a variety of the offerings and planted them in my yard. I’ve weeded, watered and fertilized these precious gifts and harvested two squash and three cucumbers!
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. (2 Corinthians 9:10)
My Pastor didn’t just share plants with me–she shared . . .
- The fruit of her labor
- A gift of light and love
- A harvest of righteousness
Righteousness is grounded in the character of God*
What is the character of God?
He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. (Deuteronomy 31:20)
But we humans are not naturally righteous. We have to be taught.
I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations. (Isaiah 61:10-11)
Our Father will guide our path to righteousness. And He sent His Son to be our example. Jesus reminds us, through His teaching, how to strive for righteousness:
- Bear fruit
- Love others as Jesus loves us
- Be faithful–remain in the love of Jesus
- Keep our Lord’s commands
“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. (John 15:8-10)
My pastor’s gift to me bore fruit. I have harvested “fruit” from the plants I received. But the greatest gift is through her example. She gave from the heart, sharing a gift of love. I’ve experienced the joy of nurturing plants to watch them flourish as they bless me with their gift of the harvest. And I’ve been reminded to share the gift of love to others.
In this hot summer season, have you already been blessed with a gift of the harvest?
*Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. (2003). Holman Publishers, Nashville, Tenn. p.1400.
What a wonderful gift. With every vegetable harvested, you have a reminder of the giver of the plants and the Giver of all things.
You are right, Diana. Seeing my little garden each day is a wonderful reminder of my pastor’s kindness. The harvest is an extra blessing. Thank you for sharing happiness.
Not much of a harvest from the garden at all this year. Might see some corn and a melon or two, but the storms (with their hail and wind) made a mess of things. Able to replant some, but they’re growing and not producing. Every farmer knows the saying, “Next year will be better.” Much wisdom and truth in your post though my friend, it’s the fruit that God produces in each of us that will hopefully bring the greatest harvest. God’s blessings.
J.D., I’m so sorry your garden has been destroyed this year, but we farmers always are willing to try again, aren’t we? Farming and ranching requires a lot of hope. I agree that our God produces fruit in each of us that He guides us to use toward the purposes He plans for us. May God continue to bless you, my friend.
I get satisfaction as we harvest our garden’s goodness! I understand missing these moments. Your nine plants bear fruit of the harvest and fruit of a well given gift. Enjoy!
I’ve enjoyed seeing your pictures of your garden and the canning you have done. Gardening and yard work have always been my therapy and I expect it helps you, too, Lisa. Wishing you joy and blessings.
Love as fruit we produce, I like that. (Vegetables taste better from home gardens!)
Thank you for stopping by my blog, Vera. You are right–those home grown vegetables are so good and I’m blessed by the joy and fulfillment gardening gives me. I hope your week is filled with joy and blessings.
Thank you for sharing these words, Katherine. Isaiah 61:10-11 is such a beautiful verse, and you are so right–our righteousness comes from God alone! Blessings to you.
We can only find righteousness through God and I’m so grateful that He is patient and continues to mold and shape us along our journey with Him. Thank you for your encouragement, Kim. Wishing you a blessed week.
I have quite a bountiful harvest this year. It’s been difficult to keep up with it recently. But I love sharing the goodness from the garden with others. I’ve baked zucchini bread, canned zucchini marmalade, and I’m in the process of canning relish (again primarily zucchini mixed with other veggies from the garden). Yum 😋
Zucchini marmalade is a new one for me. Did you create the recipe? It sounds unique. I’ve done zucchini bread, pickles, fried, steamed, in Italian dishes, etc. Sounds like you’ve experienced the bounty of God’s harvest on your farm. I always enjoy the lessons you share. Joy and blessings!
I grew up around gardens. Both my grandparents planted one every year. I am a pro at shelling peas! This year is only the second garden my husband and I have had. We harvested mostly weeds lol, but have had success with tomatoes and peppers. I’m glad you had this wonderful gift.
Yes, when we grow up around gardens, we acquire lots of experience and expertise. Those are some good memories. It’s been a tough season for gardening with the hot temperatures, but each opportunity allows us to grow closer to our Creator. Wishing you sunshine and blessings (and some rain for your garden).
We have only a few plants. We’ve harvested a couple of squash, a few tomatoes and a couple of cucumbers. But we’ve enjoyed them all. Lovely connection to producing a harvest of righteousness.
Sounds like your garden is just the right size, Debbie. It’s a blessing when we have an opportunity to grow things according to our Master designer’s plan. Our God is so good. Wishing you joy and blessings.
A lovely tribute to your pastor for her loving act! Thank you. My dad kept a garden into his 90s and always shared its bounty with me. I sure do miss him and his garden. Your garden sounds like the perfect size for you. I’ve thought about planting a small garden bed but know it would soon become a burden rather than a joy. So I continue to support the farmers in my area with a large enough harvest to share. I’m very thankful for them!
A big garden can be such a burden. I used to be overwhelmed by the work our large garden required. I’m thinking nine plants is about the right size! Like you, I’m also purchasing fresh produce from area farmers and am grateful for their harvest. The summer is flying by–Sigh…
That was a precious gift, indeed. Thank you, Katherine, for your gifts in your blog of insightful messages!
Thank you, Kathy. I’m so grateful for your encouragement. Wishing you joy and blessings.
Gardens make some of the best analogies. When I am out hiking and see beautiful flowers I always think of you. Thank you for another great post.
Oh, what a wonderful thing to say, Jen–you made my day! When I’m walking in nature, working in the yard, or just sitting on my front porch, I continue to be amazed by God’s love and mercy in allowing us to live on this beautiful planet He created. Thanks for the lovely word picture message you sent me. Blessings!
What a beautiful gift and lesson. I loved how you tied it all together. I pray you are able to harvest much more fruit in the future too Katherine
Thank you for your prayers, Yvonne. I pray our Father will continue to bless your ministry of service to Him. Wishing you joy!
These days I usually buy my vegetable and fruit harvests, but I’m so grateful for others, like you Katherine, who share a harvest of righteousness with me. Blessings to you!
Thank you, Annie, and I’m so grateful for your ministry and the role model you provide for us through your writing and service. May God continue to bless you.
Thanks for sharing this, Katherine. Such timely lessons from the Word and our gardens. Keep teaching!!
Thank you, Patricia, for stopping by my blog and sharing encouragement. Wishing you a week filled wit joy and blessings!