Pumpkins and patience
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“It is only the farmer who faithfully plants seeds in the spring, who reaps a harvest in Autumn.” -B.C. Forbes Yesterday I looked out the window in my office and noticed the tops of the trees were just beginning to turn to the shades of Fall. We are on the 10th floor, above the noise and above most of the “man-made” scenery. I like to watch the trees change from their tired shade of green to the beautiful colors of autumn. This is a beautiful time of year.
Texas trees are usually a little slow to turn, but that doesn’t bother me. I just create the Fall color using store-bought leaves, gourds and pumpkins. I have a big box of decorations that I bring out this time of year. I’m grateful to the farmers who knew I would want to celebrate the season sooner than Texas produces it. They put seeds in the ground about four months ago and patiently waited for their efforts to come to “fruition.” Pumpkin farmers have to be patient if they want to harvest what they plant. So do Christians.
Most of us have someone we care about and have prayed for that still walks independent of God. Fall is a great time to remember that the Bible promises us that we will “reap what we sow.” Some seeds sprout quickly and produce a crop almost overnight. Pumpkins, apples and trees take a long time to grow and mature. Some “crops” require patience.
Paul wrote to the church in Galatians saying, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:9-10).
In this era of microwave dinners and internet answers we should remember that not all things can be achieved quickly. Think of the person you have given up on because you don’t know what else to say or you have given them what you thought, were plenty of chances. Then hear Paul tell you to keep going! Continue to take every opportunity to do good – to ALL people.
I’ve decided to create a prayer list of people I will lovingly refer to (in private) as my pumpkin heads. Slow to grow, slow to mature….but completely worth the wait! Who has come to your mind as you were reading this blog post? Is it a family member? A high-school friend? A neighbor? “Let us not become weary in doing good!” Make the phone call, send a note or an e-mail, walk up to their desk or front door and give them little pumpkin! (They won’t know the double meaning!) Put a pumpkin somewhere in your house and use it as a reminder to pray.
Where would we be without the pumpkins? My house would look a lot plainer. I would really miss the pies and loaves of pumpkin bread I will soon enjoy. Autumn is a beautiful time of the year and a reminder that some of the best things in life require patience.
Have you grown weary with a few pumpkin-heads? Here is God’s answer: “Don’t be.” Now…go buy a few pumpkins to give away!
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