reaping & sowing

A wise woman discussed the seasons of life with me the other day.

After I had caught her up on the doings in our rambunctious household she explained to me how my husband and I were in the summer of our lifetime. We were working hard, and as the Chinese might say, willingly eating bitterness. Bent over in our fields toiling, we barely have time to wipe the bit of sweat off our brow so busy were we sowing. We plant the seeds of righteousness in our household, in our children, we nurture the growth we see as well as prepare for the fruit we expect to yield, encouraging it along the way. The dear lady explained that she and her husband, empty nesters, were in the fall of their life- they were reaping the bounty for which they worked so hard for- their great kids were turning into competent, interesting and responsible adults, their businesses were going well and affording them the opportunity to travel to see loved ones and they were having a great time as a couple. But none of this would have been possible without the hard work, patience and perseverance during the summer of their life.

Recently she had visited family and was witnessing to me what winter looks like. Her in-laws, now in their 80’s, had braved many terrible storms together: war, deaths of loved ones, immigration from Europe, miscarriages, and now perhaps the most terrible one, Alzheimer’s. After dinner one evening this man and wife sat close to one another and watched slides of their life together- over 60 years of togetherness and hard work. The images they looked upon were much younger versions of themselves and their now middle-aged children and diseased parents. The wise woman commented that it was in the winter of our lives that we needed the filled storehouses from which to draw. We reap what we sow.

I pray that we are sowing a hearty harvest together, my husband and I, as we keep our heads down working hard with sweat dripping off of our brow.