Harvest IS Coming !!

I wasn't going to blog today because I was trying to catch up on some reading in James, but I "accidentally" read James 5:7-11. I was suppose to be reading/taking notes on the last part of Chapter 3. But I just had to share with you what I read in James 5.

The title in my Bible just before these verses reads "Patience in Suffering."

"Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful." James 5:7-11

Although these verses are tied to the return of the Lord, it made me immediately think of those waiting for children or those waiting for a spouse or those waiting for healing or those wanting a renewed marriage or perhaps a job. Waiting gets long and worrisome. But notice the mention of precious fruit! Isn't that child to be, that husband to come, that healing to come ever so precious! It made me think of the precious child to hopefully come into our home next year. It often seems like the deepest desires are so long in the coming. These scriptures tells us too we must receive the early and late rains. I think of trials, the disappointments, the let down after let down, and the "rain" that falls on our lives, but their is precious fruit as the outcome!! Hallelujah!! I could be taking this scripture in a whole different direction, but I had to share how it initially set with me. Oh, it does mention the farmer waits with patience! Patience....the hardest aspect of farming. It says to establish your hearts...be set, be ready, be sure. Those who remain steadfast will be blessed. The Lord is compassionate and merciful!

I found this picture by artist Gregory Frank and it is titled "A Peaceful Time."I LOVE this picture. I think of it as a mother and daughter, me and my daughter on my Granny's land! We would be at the end of our harvest. The title is so fitting. A peaceful time...Harvest is Coming!!