Harvest Season: Time to Remember
“You crown the year with a bountiful harvest, even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:11 NLT
“Where did summer go?” My friends and family asked that question when children started a new school year in August. Now, two months away from the close of 2023, just this morning, a friend asked, “Where did the year go?”
Usually in December, people reflect, checking to see if they accomplished goals or kept resolutions. We may think about struggles, decisions, and good times. Some hope for a better next year. We like to review, generally with the idea that ”Next year, I want to ________.” We set new goals and make resolutions. We decide to eliminate activities and begin new ones.
When I read Psalm 65 during my devotions, the word “harvest” popped out. No surprise, since I’m surrounded by mums, pumpkins, and ads for pumpkin spice drinks. I re-read verse eleven and thought of:
- harvest because we’re in that season
- year because we’re in the tenth month of the year
- hard pathways because I’ve had a few
- overflow because there have also been tremendous blessings
[Tweet “What if I used these verses as questions to inventory my year? While we have some quiet before the holiday season, maybe you’d like to join me and ask:”]
What describes my harvest this past year?
Harvesting is a collection of crops from the growing season. We may not be farmers, but we harvest collections. They may be the results or consequences of our actions. Students harvest good grades if they study. My grandson harvests excellent performance on the soccer field because he practices and stays in shape. We enjoy growing friendships because we carve out time and our conversations yield a harvest of confidences, camaraderie, and enjoyment. Unwise choices yield a harvest of disappointments. We harvest spiritual growth when we have spent time learning to know God and know about Him.
Reviewing our journals guides us to activities, accomplishments, reflections, and relationships. Rewinding our memories shows us what we may have forgotten.
What about my year?
What did my year look like? What was written on the squares of our calendars or recorded on our phone: meetings, appointments, events, gatherings? Do people, places, and opportunities pop up? Were there new ones? Did changes catch me by surprise?
What about hard pathways?
Those may be among the easiest to remember. Our physical, financial, and relationship challenges often take on the focal point. Disappointments linger. In this agricultural theme, we note dry times- no rainfall to water crops. Fruitfulness is compromised. The word “even” tells us how to view them. Despite hard times, in hard times, did I survive or thrive? What did I learn? Where did God meet me in those struggles?
What do I see as the overflow of tremendous blessings?
How did your cup overflow? Count your blessings, reasons for gratitude, and answered prayers. Did God equip you for a challenge? Did He meet you with grace and mercy walking a hard pathway? Did He give you peace in a disappointing outcome? Did fruit come from what was a hard place?
When I read Psalm 65 that morning, I didn’t realize it would lead to a focus on one verse. But that is where God met me.
What about you? Take some time to rewind, reflect, and remember.
Will you share one example of this “exercise” with us? We’re not quite finished with 2023—more is waiting for us. We can be sure though, on December 31,as verse eleven says, God will crown our year. He will complete it and we can sit back and say, “Yes, He was there on every single day.”
“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 NIV
The Conversation
Well, Marilyn, you’ve gone and messed with my normal routine again. I’m rarely ahead of anything, but you’ve gotten me thinking about my end of year ritual way earlier than I ever think about it. But it’s looking like a good thing. The problem now is what I’m going to do with the extra time I’ll have in late December. Thanks for another stimulating post, and may God fill your harvest time with much fruit and abundant praise.
Thank you Ron. Glad I could help here! Extra time in December? Rest, reflect, and refresh getting ready for the new year. Marilyn
This is a wonderful idea, Marilyn. Psalm 34:8 tells is to “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” We can reflect on the harvest He has given us and taste His goodness.
Yes, Barbara. My pastor has said that when we taste and see we can’t help but tell others how good it tastes. Marilyn
Around October, I start thinking “Fourth Quarter” myself Ms. Marilyn. And while I’ve entered that stage of this life, it’s important to remind myself that “the game isn’t over.” It’s also a great time to reflect on the year that’s now behind us. This year has been much different than I planned and hoped for. I’ve entered a season that I perhaps knew was coming but one I cannot welcome. At best, I can accept. Still, through it all, I see so many blessings that God has so graciously showered upon me. I’ll end my rant with a mixture of thanksgiving for what has transpired and hopefulness for what is to come. In in all, I see God’s hand upon my life. God’s blessings little lady, and thank you for your faithfulness.
JD, I hear you- these unwelcome seasons are no surprise to God. So, my “job” is to tap into Him as my Source for what He wants to give me to “still” thrive in His plan. Thank you for being a faithful reader and taking time to comment and share your insights. Blessings, Marilyn
I love this idea, especially looking at the year through the lens of God’s Word. I’m from a farm family, so the picture of harvest in my memory adds to the beauty of this verse and to the motivation of “gathering in” the year’s blessings. Thank you!
One year ago we were faced with the painful decision to leave our former church and find a new one. Praise God he led us to a fellowship of strong believers where scripture is preached, worship is inspiring, people are caring, children are valued, and excellence in faith and works is pursued. We felt welcomed from the first Sunday and feel more at home each week. A hard pathway did indeed lead to an overflow of blessing!
Thank you for sharing your experience, Nancy.
Your message reminds me of something I typically neglect–self-reflection. I have a bad habit of being so busy most of the time that I seldom take time for self-examination and reflection. You’ve reminded me how important it is to take quiet time to pnder on and pray about what we’ve done, learning from it, and planning for the future. This year has been a roller coaster ride in many ways–lots of ups and downs. But through it all, I know my Lord is with me. My steps may falter, but His never do.
Thanks for helping me think on the deep questions a little earlier this time to reflect on what God has done.
Harvest time, a time to look back and look forward. God is good. God bless!
What a great idea Marilyn. I will spent some time over the next month looking back at all Christ has done in my life. Thank you.
I’ve enjoyed a harvest of blessings during the last few months. I’ve fought some hard battles, but I won victory in Christ which strengthens me for the next difficult time. I loved your wise and creative perspectives on harvest.