A Season of Harvest

A note left for me at the bottom of a spelling test

I am not good with plants. My horticultural attention span is too short. And living where we do, the climate is not conducive to nurturing plants left to themselves. In fact, the last measurable rain in our area was almost three months ago.

Thankfully, our Heavenly Father tends His Fruit much more successfully. As parents, we make so very many mistakes. But, He patiently corrects and teaches. There are sometimes long seasons that seem barren.  Just a few months ago we were in a season of "drought" as parents dealing with many difficult heart issues. It seemed we were butting our heads against the wall at times. We prayed and cried and hoped.

And now, He has brought us into a season of sweet harvest. We see so much fruit. Hearts have changed. Lessons have been learned. Character has been built.

Have we "arrived"? Are we finished? HAHAHAHAHAHA!

In the Lord's most tender Mercy, He is giving us this season--a time to give thanks, praise Him for what He has done, add to our gratitude list, and rest. But this is also a time to prepare for the next season. We know that He is not finished. With them. With me.

Oh Dear Father,

My heart overflows with joy witnessing the beauty of Your fruit borne in these precious hearts you have trusted us to steward. Thank You for transforming their hearts. Thank You for calling them to Yourself. Thank you for causing them to hunger and thirst for wisdom. It is hard to believe how profusely You shower blessings on us. You so Faithfully redeem every broken place in us. This is a season of harvest for us. I know You are not finished. Thank You. Your work continues. Remind me of this season in future seasons of building when I grow weary or discouraged. Your Glory is blinding.

Additions to my growing list:
1090. A precious note at the bottom of a spelling test revealing Elizabeth's tender heart
1091. Caleb's Christmas Wish List that contains books: C. S. Lewis, John Newton, Hudson
         Taylor, William Wilberforce
1092. A precious heart of gratitude and submission in a beautiful daughter
1093. Our youngest spending a day fasting because she was concerned about the heart of
         someone she loves
1094. The seeking of wisdom in a new father from his father-in-law
1095. Long talks with a son, who is a man now, about God's Plan, Truth, Wisdom-seeking
1096. Time spent with our daughter and son-in-law, expecting their first child
1097. Caleb spending time mentoring two young men
1098. "I'm sorry, Mom, for my attitude," from the youngest
1099. Long talks with Mackenzy
1100. A Christmas shopping trip with our youngest so that she can buy gifts for each
         member of our family
1101. Growing servant's hearts in our children
1102. Joshua telling me that next year he wants us to use the money we would spend on
         him for Christmas to buy things for the poor
1103. Spoken gratitude for meals, clothes, activities, etc.
1104. Good attitudes during school
1105. Plans coming together for Caleb's trip to Uganda to serve a missionary
1106. Lots of joking and giggling and playfulness
1107. Caleb's request for journals to begin documenting the Lord's Provision and
         Preparation for his trip to Africa
1108. Mackenzy's trust in the Lord's Plan for her future
1109. Lots of sweet hugs from Ben
1110. Walking in the den in the middle of the night and finding Caleb on his
         face in the middle of the floor "having some quiet time" with the Lord