Today’s post was written by my mom, Lorraine Strohbehn, a favorite contributor here at Petals from the Basket. She sent it to me today to use at “a later date,” but it was so timely and such a good reminder that I couldn’t wait to share it with you!

_______________________

With autumn and cool weather arriving, Northern Indiana farmers are diligently harvesting the corn, soybeans, wheat, and alfalfa that they planted in the spring and tended during the summer. Farmers’ markets that started the summer with asparagus and rhubarb are now reaping their last tomatoes, cauliflower, green beans, and okra, while the pumpkins and squash are piled high at their front doors.

We just came in from cutting off the day lilies and coral bells in the flower beds around the house. They have been beautiful throughout the summer. The hearty burgundy leaves of the coral bells growing in a sea of white stones were a special source of pride and joy, but this year’s season is over, so it was time to prepare them for winter.

Autumn is my favorite season of the year, with its colorful maples and the cooler days and chilly nights. To make sure we have fresh fruits and vegetables for winter lunches and dinners, we are wrapping a few more butternut squash for cool storage, adding to the corn, tomatoes, green beans, and applesauce in the freezer, and making room for the arrival of Texas grapefruit, which will be available next month at the local Amish store.

What we planted in the spring is now ready for the harvest. Because I know what we planted, I know what the harvest should be; the early effort that we put into care will determine the quality of the harvest. As King Solomon wrote (Proverbs 10:5, KJV), “He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.” We enjoy the preparation of springtime, the bounty of summer, and the harvest of autumn for the winter that is to come.

The seasons of life are pictured in the seasons of the year: what we plant is what we harvest. Paul emphasized this in one of his pastoral letters (Galatians 6:7–9, KJV): “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

May we live every season with eternity’s values in view!

________________________________________________

Would you like to receive these posts in your Inbox? We won’t spam you!
You will only receive e-mails from us when a new post appears on the blog. Click here to subscribe.