Harvest…that special time of year. Farmers laboring in the fielding, gathering the season’s crops. In today’s society, we don’t think about it much. 

We go to the grocery store and there is food. There is always food down the aisles, in boxes, on display tables…food. After purchasing the food we travel home, make dinner, and devour it. 

Rarely a thought…a thought of how it got to the grocery store in the first place. 

Having grown up on a dairy and crop farm I was privileged. Privileged to see where it all begins. Holding that seed in my hand and knowing the labor of putting it in the ground, caring for it, and praying God’s miracle will sprout through dark, moist earth. 

Farmers everywhere, every day rely on God’s grace. Rely on God’s provision. From a little girl, I saw in action what it meant to pray, watch, and wait. 

Despite the fact I experienced God’s miracle and provision, again and again, I still struggled. Struggled to pray, watch, and wait. Struggled to let go and let the miracle grow. Again and again, I have tried to “do it myself.” Again and again, I have failed to trust, completely trust the One who makes the seed produce fruit. 

I can try my best. I can give all my strength yet at the end of the day I can not make the seed grow and bear fruit. 

Recently I was visiting my family among the corn stalks and bean dust. Yes, harvest time. Just the words curve the corners of my mouth. I love watching the combines maneuver up and down the rows. Watching the grain carts trailing behind and the dust clouds pouring around the monster equipment. Yes, the picture of harvest will always be in my heart. 

On this particular visit, I boarded the combine with my dad. Like old times, my lips jabbered away and he quietly, strategically drove the big rig with ease. After a while, my dad noticed there was a problem with the “middle teeth” as it took in the corn. The corn stalks were getting jammed up. We stopped and after examination, dad proclaims, “We lost a part!” 

Immediately I jumped down from the combine and began the search with my dad and uncle. Although the part was of a decent size it felt like looking for a needle in a haystack. Cornstalk debris covered the field. As we searched I began to pray. Pray for provision. 

We did not find the part that day however they had a spare back at the farm. In no time the combine was fixed and we were back at it. 

The provision that day was different than I expected. As soon as I started to pray I envisioned that we would find it in the field. God had another provision in mind. 

Just as the farmers pray, watch, and wait so should we in our lives. God has a plan, a provision. Pray, watch, and wait…and be ready, ready for the provision. But remember that God’s ways are above our ways. His perspective far deeper than ours. Don’t miss the provision…it may be in the field or it may be back at the farm. 

 

Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ESV

Mark 14:38 “ Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” NLT

1 Corinthians 3:6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. NKJV

2 Corinthians 9:10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. NLT

2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. NKJV