Harvest....what?

It is time for harvesting -  finally.  Yesterday, while I was driving, I was watching a number of farmers in their fields - some corn but mainly soybeans.  I could tell some of the beets had also been harvested.  Only a very few fields were 'finished' with harvesting.  There are still a LOT of fields to go!  Harvesting, in the fields, is what we immediately think of isn't it?  What about the rest of us, that aren't farmers, what are we harvesting?

​Our readings, this morning, are in Ruth 2 and Mark 4.  Ruth is gleaning the field for food for herself and Naomi.  (v. 21-23) Jesus is talking about the farmer planting seeds, waiting and harvesting.  (v. 26-29)  In both places the harvest is still in the field(s). 

I am not a farmer, related to a farmer or a gardener.  The seeds I plant are not in "dirt" but I'm thinking we ALL plant this kind of seed -- farmer and non-farmer alike.  These seeds are the attitudes we have, the gifts we share, the way we are and what people see of us.  These seeds are the kindness, generosity, knowledge and, especially sharing God's Love.  These seeds are the care of the "stranger" (from last week) and our "neighbor."  These seeds are the how we care for the "widow, the orphan and the stranger in our land."  These are seeds each of us plants, even if we don't farm or garden, and the harvest is seen by others.

​So.... what are you harvesting?  IF you are in the "fields" we are all praying for a safe harvest.  If, like me, you aren't in the fields are you harvesting what you planted?  Can you change the "seeds" so the harvest has a better outcome?   Are these seeds the ones God has laid on your heart to be doing?  Is this the "giant" God is helping you face?