Garden Lessons

Last week, my son came to the garden to help me harvest corn, squash, tomatoes and cucumbers to give to United Ministries and Sumter Mission Outreach.  It was an opportunity to teach.  He was in a teachable mood even sharing lessons he was receiving with me. We spoke of Jesus’ parable of the wheat and tares.  We spoke of the parable of the soils.  We spoke of all the obstacles to growing a garden to harvest.  Perhaps the biggest obstacle this year has been the deer. 

We found my two rows of okra overcome by weeds.  They were in great need of being freed from the forest of weeds since recent rains kept me from entering with a tiller.  We had to be careful (remembering Jesus’ parable) to not pull up the okra with the weeds.  Also, as we cleared the row, we feared that we were only making it easier for the deer to distinguish the okra from the weeds. I have replanted these rows multiple times between early May and late June because the deer have eaten the plants to the ground. 

Recent events in our nation have weeded the mission field and made it easier for us as Christians to distinguish the dispirited, the helpless, the weary and worn out.  Jesus said that he did not come for the healthy, righteous and wealthy but for the sick, the unrighteous and the poor. We were challenged last week to ask God to fit us for the harvest.  Let me share one last truth with you. 

Dayton and I were filthy as we exited the garden.  Dirt, sand and weed stain were all over our fingers and legs.  It is messy to enter the harvest.  Ministry is messy.  It involves great sacrifice.  It is not always comfortable or easy.  It takes time and energy.  Soon we will be gathering okra.  It is our favorite summer vegetable.  Dayton will learn that its taste will be more delightful because of the sacrifice made to harvest.  Do you desire to see a harvest?  Do you desire to enter the harvest?