Last week a family member stood in our kitchen gazing at the word on our chalkboard.
R E A P
“Why do you have REAP on your chalkboard? It seems such a grim word.”
I suppose her thoughts went to “grim reaper.” Anything but.
You can read about my oneword2018 here and how the Lord planted REAP deep into my soul. An update on the word here. And, now this post is an update to the update!
We have a pickup date for our travel trailer – October 30th! Are we excited? Over the moon. Our first trip is pretty well planned and we will be visiting, in order: Magnolia and Chip’s Diner in Waco, TX on the 29th; pickup camper in Rice, TX on the 30th to include a one or two night “shakedown” period for finding glitches; then on to Belen, NM and meet Andrew and Barbara; then on to Holbrook, AZ to meet Anita and her hubs; visit the Petrified Forest, the Painted Desert, and on to the Grand Canyon. Then eastward on Interstate 40 to home.
Dreams do come true. Sowing DOES reap a harvest. This is what I want to focus on in today’s post. The Biblical principle of reaping. Get ready this could be like a Bible Sword Drill (do these still exist?).
And Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. The Lord blessed him…Genesis 26.12 (ESV) [same year – WOW!]
He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, And the rod of his anger will fail. Proverbs 22.8 [we will reap what we sow!]
He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap. Ecclesiastes 11.4 [is this sowing laziness?]
Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the Lord, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you. Hosea 10.12 [what an awesome ‘thing’ to sow — righteousness; reap mercy!]
Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6.26 [Ah! to be a bird!]
[ The Cheerful Giver ] But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9.6 [be a hysterically happy giver!]
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6.9 [Don’t count the days – don’t get tired of doing the right thing – ask the Lord to refresh you.]
When the Lord spoke REAP to me, He also confirmed it with Galatians 6.9. And 6.9 goes so well with the quote I used in the yellow box above.
The day you plant the seed…is not the day you eat the fruit.
The key here, and the lesson, is not to grow weary while sowing. While planting. While doing good.
I never had the gift of giving until my co-worker began praying that very thing for me. Now? My husband loves to say this about me, “She’s going to give away the store!” I am a hysterical giver – I love it. I think up ways to give and give more.
Joyce Meyer, one of my favorite Bible teachers, taught me that reaping suddenly comes after season after season after season of sowing. Don’t relate your giving to the getting. Just give. #1 you will never out-give God. #2 give out of your abundance. #3 give just because. #4 God doesn’t need our money – He wants our heart. #5 give sacrificially (even). Number 5 is a true gift of faith – when all you give is all you have. These are the hard things.
And, for heaven’s sake don’t just think giving is monetary because it isn’t. It can be just about anything. A meal. An hour of visitation. A card. A prayer. Just sow good seed.
And one day?
You will enjoy the fruit!
Life is God and God is Good!
Yes! I needed this reminder. I probably need it over and over! Thank you for reminding me to be patient as we wait for the harvest
Best thing, Becky? Don’t even think about the harvest. Just continue sowing.
I’ll be keeping an eye out to hear all about your stop at Magnolia and the Diner, Susan!
I’m a fan …
Safe travels!
;-}
Linda, have you been?
Jealous that you are going to Magnolia and the diner. Also excited you will meet Barbara and Andrew and Anita and her hubs. Looking forward to hearing about your adventure.
You and your sister need to go to Waco next summer. HOW FUN.
Wonderful adventures! Thanks for the good reminders to keep sowing (more patience…) because God will bring the harvest! I look forward to hearing the stories God will bring from your travels!
Perhaps I’ll be a travel blogger!!!
What sweet blessings you are reaping in this season! Your trip sounds amazing. I cannot wait to hear all about it. I have been to Magnolia Market and the Silos and Bakery are wonderful. I know you will enjoy it. The restaurant wasn’t open yet when I was there.
Please give Andrew and Barbara my best. Sending prayers and love.
When did you go? I must hear about it. Is there a blog?
Fun. Fun. Fun. Looking forward to our trip!!
Do you think PF will ever relinquish Gracee?
Oh…I’m so excited about your little camper! And your travels! This is just the beginning! I predict years of wonderful travels for you and Lowell. I visited Rice University during the Peace Talks years ago….please tell me they still have all the flags up! They were gorgeous! Enjoy! Wonderful area to travel to! Peace and Hope to you and Lowell….❤️
Hello Sandy B. Our travel trailer is just about identical to Judi’s (your neighbor)! xo
The continuous giver — that is for sure what my sister is. She is always mailing packages, cards, Amazon, Essential Oils. It is time for her harvest. Am I a bit jealous? You bet I am! I want to be there, not just read about it but my season is a different kind now. I’ll travel on cruise ships, driving in my car, and seeing those places in my state first!
Ride Sestra, write and enjoy the reaping because you have sown in tears!
THIS comment brings tears. xo
The entire blogging universe is cheering and jealous all at the same time that you are going to meet Anita and Andrew in real life! There had BETTER be pictures!
Ya think? Anita? Her camera is an appendage!
I am so excited for you! Happy early birthday!
XO
YES!!! Are Casita’s welcome in Boiling Springs, SC?
Oh honey, I’m so excited for y’all on this new adventure, you have so faithful and now you are reaping! I can’t wait to see pictures and hear all about it. Love this article, goi g to read it again and share it. Love you bunches!
Thanks HM – we are pretty excited and thanks for the share.
“The day you plant the seed… Is not the day you eat the fruit”
We are so happy for you!
Enjoy your travels!
God is so good.
Isn’t that a great quote!
Thank you for this , it is so true! We have been blessed to live on the water even after Florence, God provided. God is good all the time!
I know you are going to enjoy your new camper, which one are you getting The Freedom?
Can’t wait to hear about your travels, we love camping you meet some of the nicest people.
Hope your day is blessed?
I know you know about reaping! We are getting the Independence Deluxe! Over the moon excited.
did you do a book on this and I missed it? if not, it’s time. and you are turning around way too early. we are a hop skip and a long way more West from the Grand Canyon, btw…see you next year??
New book out on JAMES. We want to be home with family for Thanksgiving and remember I WORK!!! West Coast? Most likely Summer 2020! xoxo
“The day you plant the seed…is not the day you eat the fruit.” Such truth! And a good reminder to keep on sowing and planting and the reaping will come in God’s timing. Blessings to you! Have fun with your camper. 🙂 xo
Gayl, that quote continues to resonate with me.
This was great. We are so happy and excited for you and Lowell’s new adventure. I hope you will let us travel with you by posting things from time to time on your trip. God Bless you both.
You know it, girlfriend!!!!!