Lessons from the Farmer

Monday, October 21, 2013 Posted by Sara

Pin It

The Farmer stood in the middle of the field wearing a classic pair of overalls and a friendly straw hat.

I had tried my best to come prepared.  I'd never been part of a proper harvest, mind you, but my enthusiasm might have made up for my lack of experience.  He thought my matching overalls were a smart choice.

"Ready for the harvest, kiddo?" He asked, chewing on some straw, which I was quite sure was only for effect.

"Ready, Lord.  But where are the fields - and all the produce?" The rolling green hills did not seem a fitting locale for gathering crops.

"The field is here.  It's ripe for harvest, dear one." He nodded with assurance.

I looked around, puzzled.

"Closer than you think." He encouraged. 

I continued to search the setting for anything worthy of harvesting.  He stood silently until the only sound bellowing through my ears was the sound of my anxious heart, beating. Surely I've missed something.

"Can you hear it?" He said at last, quietly interrupting the rhythms of my heart.

"All I hear, Lord, is my heart going on, distracting me from my search for our crop."

"So, it has made itself known, then." He winked.

I stopped my search and at once realized I had come to harvest my own heart. 

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (Proverbs 4:23) As you speak, listen, and love - all that's been growing in your heart will be poured out onto others - it can be life to them."

"Can be?"

"Yes - for what springs forth from your heart is rooted in what you have been feeding your eyes, your ears, your mind, and spirit."

I felt overwhelmed at once - blessed to pour out life into others, and convicted that I haven't always done a good job of nourishing and tending to my heart, that it would produce a healthy and bountiful overflow of life.

My eyes rested on the Lord, who gently added, "If you will listen, I will teach you how to garden well. What do you say?"

Sara Rust is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up for updates by email or RSS before you go.