Bringing In The Sheaves

“We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves”

 

vincent van gough; harvest

Not being much of a gardener, I don’t have a bushel of vegetables to harvest much less a sheave. But as a child, growing up on a farm, I recall there was plenty to harvest.Canning and preserving took place all summer along with the outside chores of putting up hay for the winter.

I have always thought the word ‘sheaves’ to be a funny one. Another one of those old fashioned words we come across in a hymnal, like “Ebenezer.” It was interesting then for me to discover that the song “Bringing in the Sheaves” originated from a verse found in the Psalms. “Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert. Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed but they sing as they return with the harvest"*  Or, as the King James Version says, “Bringing his sheaves with him.”

What a powerful image this verse brings to my mind. And immediately I know this verse as a metaphor. I see prayer warriors down on their knees, weeping before the throne as they prepare to plant the seeds of the gospel in their communities. Tears mingling with the seeds they sow them. Rejoicing with all their might when even just one soul comes to Christ.

As I said, I’m not much of a gardener. I don’t think of myself as a missionary or an evangelist either. I’m not even a very consistent prayer warrior. On a good day I claim to be a writer but even that has it’s periods of dormancy. Yet I know that if I let the Holy Spirit guide my hands as they move over the keyboard, I can plant seeds with words. I can labor over my writing, sweating bullets, weeping from the effort, hoping against hope that something I write strikes a chord with another and brings them some hope. Some joy. Some truth.  

As a writer I have the opportunity to share the good news through my blog posts, through short stories and devotionals, even maybe, dare I say it?—a novel?

I feel a little guilty when I look out over my backyard; the cheeky Armagarden sign hanging from the empty bean pole structure. I have this beautiful plot of dirt that could yield much if I could just put some effort into it. I have my reasons, my excuses, some justified, some not, for letting it lie dormant another season. What can I offer as my excuse for not using the gift God has given me for stringing words together to reach into someone’s life and give hope?

Those who plant with tears.

It’s not meant to be an easy task. Whether I am speaking of tilling the soil or sharing the good news, it’s meant to come with some sacrifice. Some sweat. Some deep digging, some soul searching.

Harvest with shouts of joy.

Could God possibly use my words to bring light into one person’s life? Could He use me to bring a harvest? A sheave?

I won’t know unless I try.

(*Psalm 126; NLT)

Bringing in the Sheaves; Knowles Shaw, 1874

A Quiet Place

We all need one. A place where we can go to be alone, to think and dream, to plan and pray. I am alone most of the day in my empty nest so you wouldn't think I'd need one spot to identify as my quiet place but I do. There is something about a little corner space that speaks safety and comfort. I love a corner booth in a restaurant, a chair against the wall in the coffee shop and a nook to curl up in in my home.

my quiet place

Our bedroom, when we first got married, sported an office for my husband which I longed to see moved to another area. Bedrooms just should not have an office in them. It's not conducive to things that bedrooms were designed for.  Right? I was therefore, very proactive about creating new office space elsewhere in the house in order that someday, that little corner alcove could be converted to something much more intimate and soothing.

Yes. My quiet space.

private retreat

When the day came, I was ready. I had already scored at the thrift store,  a double recliner loveseat. The fabric was wrong but nothing a pretty slipcover wouldn't cure. I painted the alcove a soothing celery green and added a pretty floral wallpaper border. We already had bookshelves loaded with goodies-- they just needed dusting, organizing and, yes, even some downsizing. To finish the decorating touches I hung garden scenery pictures on the walls at eye level from the couch view. The finished result is very much a feeling of retreat. A private garden. A quiet space.

the antique plate came from my mom, the bottom one my daughter made for me when she was in grade school!

the centerpiece was made by my talented sister

Because our bedroom is on the second floor and the alcove is on the backside of the house, my little corner really feels very much removed from the rest of the house. I can hear what is going on outside and below me but yet I feel safe and securely tucked away, hidden and protected. It's a very good feeling.

recently updated the bedcover and the slipcover!

I am spending a lot of time here these days as I allow my injured foot to heal. It's a cool place to abide on a warm summer's day. I recently updated the slipcover; it feels more like a little rose garden than ever before. It is soothing and with all the fractured feelings floating around inside me right now, it's the perfect antidote.

spending a lot of time here....

books, cell phone, laptop, all at my fingertips, what more do I need? 

now, if I could just replace this carpeting.....

green thumbs of hope

rain... rain... and more rain.... this week has been a disappointment after the lovely weekend.

 

We did play and putter in the greenhouse this weekend though! 


We ordered some seeds from a local company called Uprising Seeds. Just a few to start.

Cilantro, peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, swiss chard...

we are planning to try some 'square foot gardening' this summer too. 

 

we have green thumbs but not in the 'we can grow anything' way. more like green as in greenhorns who bumble through the planting process and learn lots about what NOT to do. LOL. We just have fun regardless of the outcome!!

this old door is just one of a few we have tucked away in the back storage area. And I have plans for them! I have an old wrought iron bed frame and some old windows. I would love to create some fun garden art with this stuff.  so we'll see what develops this summer.

meanwhile, today, even as the rain beats against my house and home, I feel like my cat who earlier this week did what I wish I could do today:

if I could find a little patch of sunshine, I would SO stretch out and nap!!!

SALAD!

The other day we visited a local community garden. it is FANTASTIC! Loaded with beautiful bountiful veggies. Oh, my!

Corn
Beans
Tomatoes
Peppers
Lettuce
Basil
Squash
and 

SUNFLOWERS!

We feasted on a totally vegetable spaghetti sauce that was to-die-for and tonight, I am planning a  yummy Greek Salad with the tomatoes and cukes!  Cant wait-- it's what summer is all about!

Autumn~Pure Bliss!

 I love autumn. it's my favorite season. Maybe I am a wee bit partial because it's when Bruce and I got married but I think I'd love it best even if we had gotten married in the spring or summer or winter! I just love the smells and the colors. I dig out my favorite table cloth, all gold and rust and tan with leaves and plaids and spread it on the table and it just makes me happy  looking at it.

I love the sound of the rain or the wind and those special "Indian Summer' days, where we are blessed and teased with sunshine and breezes. the crisp air... smells of apples and blackberries and dry earth. snappy mornings with fog and evenings the creep in a little bit faster each night.

The sounds of the football game next door at the high school, school bus sightings, umbrellas, plaid shirts, rubber boots... and occasionally the sound of a lawn mower getting it's last use of the season.

Switching from iced mocha's to pumpkin spice lattes or hot cider, lighting a fire in the woodstove on those chillier evenings, putting an extra blanket back on the bed and wearing socks with my flip flops around the house, no matter how comical it looks or feels.

Harvesting from the garden... uncovering a missed zucchini, now the size of Lopez Island, tearing down the bean poles and tomato cages, and contemplating some greenhouse activity over the winter.

Getting one last pedicure of the summer, hoping this one will take away the leathery surface of my poor feet, hating to put on real shoes, not quite ready to dig out the fleece jacket.

And woven into all of it are the memories and freeze-framed photos, the cornucopia of blessings and the goodness of God poured out like oil.

~Autumn Pure Bliss~