It's the time of year when we harvest our gardens, eat fresh foods, and store the excess. Even tiny gardens like the one I have have excess. In a rural area with multiple farmer's markets and local food stores, any weak areas have more as well.
We've been eating beans and corn, lettuce and chard, putting up tomato sauce, making jams and jellies, and freezing zucchini and squash. Everything we've cooked has at least fresh herbs in it.
The work of planning and laying out the garden plots, planting, watering, weeding, de-bugging, adding fence to keep out chickens, and watching for garden pests is finally paying off. Some things - looking at you, summer squash and chard - have an abundance. Other things - cauliflower and cucumber - were rather disappointing and will need to reassessed before we do gardening next year.
Gardens are not the only things that, as Simple Church missionaries, we plan, work for, tend, and care for in hopes of gaining a harvest.
Our neighborhoods, the people we meet, the people we help, the communities we reach out to also require planning and constant tending.
It can be very frustrating. We work and work and aren't sure if we will grow anything at the end. Or the weeds seems to be enjoying the fertilizer and water more. Or we see sprouts, but it takes so LONG for them to grow into a mature plant. Sometimes they start to grow, and then seem to stop. Or the fruit starts to wither up and die from some sort of rot or insect damage.
It's discouraging. But some things do grow. There is a gift and a mindset in recognizing the good in what grows, even if your most anticipated planting has succumbed to blight.
There is creativity and even fun in figuring out the best response to what does grow, and the best way to use and respond to what falls into your lap.
Many of the best ministry opportunities we've experienced are ones that suddenly popped up and we were able to respond quickly and effectively.
Sometimes with a listening ear.
Sometimes with food, clothing, or utility help.
Sometimes with being able to make a useful connection.
Sometimes with shelter.
Many seeds that we've planted are not yet sprouting. But one day, there will be a harvest and we will see what has grown from the tending.