Soil, gravel – broken earth. We work the ground like farmers – digging down deep in the earth’s swollen landscape; we reach and claw at the buried rations that fill our bodies with nourishment. Little vessels of life – ruddy vegetables covered in clay – only needing to be washed and prepared for a family gathering.

Aprons of coarse leftover fabric, we soak our hands in soap created from strong oils, pull out grandmother’s knives and start chopping up the harvest we gathered in the bright, green field. A hearty family meal will follow with fresh laughter, jovial encouragement and abounding love.

The harvest has blessed us beyond comparison. It has fed our little life temples of flesh, provided the currency for the clothes on our frames. It has given our idle hands – a reward to collect. And, this gathering is the sweetest part of the crisp harvest.

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness… – 2 Corinthians 9:10

We assemble prepared with baskets in hand. We expect a bountiful supply because we know that our God protects, provides and restores. Eyes open to this overflowing abundance of heaven; we use our hands to unearth the nourishment that God has provided.

We know that he has provided us this plenty, and our faith has propelled us forward. Leaning into his light of goodness and grace, we cry out in praise and sheer elation. He is the Lord of the Harvest!

Praises like warm honey flow out of our mouths – for you have covered the fields with your generous streams of wondrous blessings. I stand in the rows of substance and say – great is the Lord!

He provides in the drought and in the downpour. May my faith remain fixed – basket in hand, ready to collect your beautiful first fruits – even with the appearance of absent rain in the distance.