This is probably an odd connection, but as I read your beautiful piece about the exhausted soil, I thought of something I read just this morning at the very end of the Old Testament book of 2 Chronicles. God had finally gotten so fed up with Judah that He allowed Babylon to invade, bringing an end for a time to last of the nation of Israel. The passage says, "This fulfilled the word of the Lord through Jeremiah, and the land enjoyed its Sabbath rest all the days of the desolation until seventy years were fulfilled." Interesting to note that, as the people struggled in exile, the land rested. I guess the metaphor is, even when we're sidelined by sin or adversity, God uses that time to heal and restore -- so we can return to a plot of replenished soil.
These were much needed words in my life, as there are a couple major areas of life where I’ve put in a lot of effort and the harvest was not what I expected. This is giving me a new perspective on those disappointments. Thank you ♥️
I think even Jesus sometimes felt frustrated...these days I have to do a lot of shaking the dust off. And remembering to love my enemies and forgive those who persecute me. But I think the Harvest isn't always what we think it is either. Sometimes the harvest is that we learn graciousness, appreciation and creativity or unconditional love and faith on deeper levels. I have never been that fixated on the physical stuff - I have these tomato plants that have some withered leaves and i don't know why. But the tomatoes still taste amazing. So I guess I see it like not obsessing about gray hairs if I can still dance.
This is probably an odd connection, but as I read your beautiful piece about the exhausted soil, I thought of something I read just this morning at the very end of the Old Testament book of 2 Chronicles. God had finally gotten so fed up with Judah that He allowed Babylon to invade, bringing an end for a time to last of the nation of Israel. The passage says, "This fulfilled the word of the Lord through Jeremiah, and the land enjoyed its Sabbath rest all the days of the desolation until seventy years were fulfilled." Interesting to note that, as the people struggled in exile, the land rested. I guess the metaphor is, even when we're sidelined by sin or adversity, God uses that time to heal and restore -- so we can return to a plot of replenished soil.
These were much needed words in my life, as there are a couple major areas of life where I’ve put in a lot of effort and the harvest was not what I expected. This is giving me a new perspective on those disappointments. Thank you ♥️
I think even Jesus sometimes felt frustrated...these days I have to do a lot of shaking the dust off. And remembering to love my enemies and forgive those who persecute me. But I think the Harvest isn't always what we think it is either. Sometimes the harvest is that we learn graciousness, appreciation and creativity or unconditional love and faith on deeper levels. I have never been that fixated on the physical stuff - I have these tomato plants that have some withered leaves and i don't know why. But the tomatoes still taste amazing. So I guess I see it like not obsessing about gray hairs if I can still dance.
This is so beautiful!