Summer is slowing down

For some reason it feels like summer is almost over.  There are a lot of clues floating around that tell me it is almost over allow me to share.  First off, I hear the band just about every day.  As I slow down at night, check how dry my lawn is, water my vegetables on my porch, I hear the drums and salvo of trumpets from the High School.

Secondly, I got the call to help with Football again as a coach.  I get to the field about 4:30 p.m., listen to the last of the band and then the football players take the field.  This week marks the start of our season, we are reviewing our plays and teaching students how to step and move like football players.

Thirdly, Mason is selling sweet corn.  Mason’s family has strategically planted a variety of corn to have some early and later crops.  I have had my first ear of this year’s crop and look forward to my next few ears.  I am excited for not only sweet corn, but green beans, peppers, and tomatoes.  My early harvest in my garden is starting to come in and the later harvest will turn into salsas and sauces.

Finally, my wife is setting up her classroom.  She is thinking about her next class of students, what they need to be able to learn and grow.  She is planning lessons and moving furniture, cleaning up messes and organizing closets.  Summer is almost over.

I feel like summer has barely started, but at the same time we are preparing for the fall harvest.  It reminds of what Jesus said after His interaction with the woman at the well in John 4:

35 Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.36 Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.37 Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true.

No matter the time of year, we have been called to be watchful for the harvest.  What harvest are we looking for? The disciples were confused, telling Jesus to eat something, but He was trying to tell them that the people were ready to follow Him.  We continue to look for the opportunity to reveal Christ as Savior and Lord to those we meet in everyday life.

Jesus went to the well in the middle of the day and met a woman who went to gather water in the heat of the day.  She was doing things differently to avoid those she would meet, but at just the right time and in just the right way Jesus met her and her whole life was turned upside down.

Jesus is in the business of seeing lives transformed.  So, no matter what season you find yourself in, be ready to plant the seed of faith, grow in the knowledge of God and reap the harvest of transformed lives for God glory.  Take time today to pray for those God puts in your life.