Harvest Time
By: Maxine M.


Is there any better life for a child, than growing up on a farm?
Fresh clean air, wide open spaces to explore, all that rural country charm
Usually a big loyal dog by their side...watch and guard from harm

There was always chores aplenty, but that's alright
For evening brought the the family together, to talk or read by lamp light
Winter storms could leave the trees glistening white, and Oh Boy!...a snowball fight

But once those winter days were left behind
There were fields to prepare, plowing & planting...those spring time chores combined
With the hope of each seed planted would produce many more of it's kind

From this point on, all efforts would be directed to the prospect of "Harvest Days" ahead
Gathering the "fruit of their labor" , where all the hard work had lead
Harvest is in the DOG DAYS of Summer, Beware!! your face is getting pretty red

There's no busier time than when a farmer says, "I think the south field is ready to go"
Green heads have "turned" golden brown, a bountiful yield hopefully to show
Corn, too, will be ready soon...abundant with yellow ears hanging low

No time to waste, as unpredictable weather may bring wind and rain
A thunderstorm or hail may damage the ripened grain
There's excitement, anticipation, worry & stress, but also HOPE of family gain

For harvest to be successful, it takes an entire crew
Each doing their individual job...the thing THEY know how to do
Drive the truck, scoop the grain, run the elevator, take fuel to the north field too

Even the child bringing the "water jug" was a most welcomed sight
Food's being prepared for lunch on "the go"...may have to run all night
Each member's contribution shouldn't be considered slight

Remember the constant roar of the combine making round after round
Clean dry grain, gathered in the hopper...chaff rejected and spread upon the ground
No resting till ALL was safely in the bin, then came rejoicing...nerves finally unwound

Now Jesus also told stories of "Harvest"...His message to illustrate
With the same urgency a farmer feels... His words would demonstrate
That many souls are "RIPE" for the harvest...His actions would communicate

The great need for sowing, growing & reaping, were word pictures that He drew
When He said "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few"
Needed are laborers of every gender and race, who...to the "Lord of Harvest"...will be true

Beacause the one who reaps isn't above the one who sows
Both are equally important, as any good farmer knows
Paul said, " I planted, Apollos watered", But it's by God's Grace that it grows

For success is each giving the best of their ability...their God given role to play
To bring as many souls as possible, to God's Great Harvest Day
The separating of wheat from chaff...the good wheat with Him to stay

The worthless and unusable chaff destined to be cast away...burned by fire
Chaff, representing those unbelieving souls, who only follow their own desire
Have never put their trust in Jesus and His work on the cross, as is required

One of Jesus' stories was of some who waited late in the day to join His labor force
Another of a father telling his sons "you're needed in the fields." One said, "Of course"
But didn't go...the other said, "NO", but went when filled with remorse

Our Father also tells US, "YOU are needed in the harvest field"
The time is URGENT!! Today, for some, their fate could be sealed
All out time & talent as a laborer, for the harvest cause, we should wield

Doesn't matter if we're young or old, whether our ability is great or small
NOW is the time of harvest, NOW is the time to answer His call
For the fields are white unto harvest, and the "Lord of the Harvest" CAN USE US ALL