This morning our scripture reading was from the book of James. Read this passage that touched my heart:

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (James 5:7-8)

One of our vacations with the girls was spent in Kansas with the family. We took a day and, with my folks, drove to my sister’s family farm near Newton, Kansas. The three girls (probably in early grade school on this trip) were so quiet on the three-hour drive there. That day we introduced them to “Little House on the Prairie” and they were totally fascinated by Laura and her family. (On the drive back to Olathe, they slept the entire time.)

That particular June day was clear but a little windy. (By the way, people who live in Kansas rarely talk about the wind unless it is really windy!) upon our arrival my brother-in-law, Ken, and John and the girls headed out to check out the farm equipment and the fields. They soon drove by us, riding on the biggest truck I have ever seen.  Janice, my sister, Mom and I went into the house to get lunch ready.

Lunch was served on a picnic table, under a huge tree, near the edge of an enormous, open wheat field. I remember carrying out a beautiful, red table cloth, heavy, ceramic plates and large glasses filled to the brim with freshly brewed iced tea or sweet lemonade. Eventually, the girls and men were back with stories of frogs in the creek and a bumpy ride across dirt paths. We covered the table with massive platters, prepared in the “old house” kitchen. And we ate and we ate and we ate. I remember pasta with lots of garlic and peppers and big pieces of bread to get those last drops of tomato sauce. And, the wind blew and the iced tea and lemonade flowed.

That meal is one of my favorite eating memories. There was no rush and there was no lack of delicious food. The sauce was made from produce out of my sister’s garden. And, the wheat field in front of us would soon yield enough grain to feed thousands of people. It truly was a meal of the harvest.

But, Janice and Ken harvested their fields and their garden only after they had experienced planting and rain and wind and sun and time. The author of the book of James knew farmers. Farmers pray that the rain will come at the right time. But, farmers also know that sometimes the rain will come and it will be too much, making the fields impossible to work and causing the precious young plants to rot. Or the rains will come too late and the crop will dry up; there will be no harvest. Farmers wait patiently for the rain because there is no other choice. They have learned to wait. And, so must we.

Today’s Thanksgiving Day’s events may find you waiting for the harvest of seeds you planted years ago.

Brother and Sister: Keep waiting. Keep watching for the hand of God to work out His plan in your life. You can trust Him; He knows your heart; He has heard your prayers. Keep being faithful. Keep waiting.

On this Thanksgiving Day may “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)