I've just returned from a wonderful time of rest and refreshing with friends I hadn't seen in at least a decade. Over the course of a week we reminisced, shared news of our respective children and grandchildren and shared a few tears along with gales of laughter. It was good to be together.
Among the many acts of kindness I received was the special treat of driving through farm lands. "So," I said to one friend, "are you still working 6,000 acres?" "No," he responded, "this year we worked 9,000 acres."
I found that mind-boggling but even more so, the sight of dozens of oil pumps dotting the landscape. While I'd recalled a few of them sitting in fields, this was an increase of major proportions. The town was exactly as I remembered it but the surrounding areas reflected the prosperity that came with "the oil patch". Believe me, I have no interest in getting into the politics of oil but there was no way I could miss the impact of the industry on the fortunes of people living in that part of the province.
What I also discovered, however, was that farmers in the area had grown bumper crops, the best in years one friend told me. Along with rows of pumps were lines of grain bins and overflow storage areas.
As I've thought about those sights I couldn't help think of the similarities between wheat and oil and a life that pleases God and encourages others. No matter what's going on around us, we are challenged to continue putting our roots down deep in His love and "bear good fruit". While we'll never prevent "stuff" from happening around us, each challenge is an opportunity to reap good things.
"Those who sow in tearsshall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."
