The Harvest

November 17, 2008

By Rose McCormick Brandon

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:7-9, NIV).

One of the ways we’ve been able to influence our neighbors for Christ is through our three children. We didn’t plan to share our faith through them, but in the natural flow of things they invited neighborhood children to attend church with us. And at least once a week, a classmate would join us for morning prayer while waiting to walk to school with one of them. Once a little boy commented, “It feels good when you pray.”

For many years, families in our subdivision rated a special spot on my prayer list. I often walked the neighborhood, lifting each household to God as I passed by. Many of the children from those homes were frequent visitors in ours. I prayed that someday they’d remember hearing about Jesus from us and become one of His followers.

Jody was one girl who visited our home often. At 13, she attended youth group with our daughter Melody and loved it. An open-hearted girl, I felt Jody was on the brink of committing her life to Christ until one day Melody came home from school upset.

“Jody’s mother says she can’t go to church with us anymore,” Melody said. “She’s afraid it will warp her mind, or something.”

I eased my daughter’s disappointment by saying we shouldn’t take Jody’s mother’s remarks personally. “She just doesn’t understand about being a Christian.”

We prayed for Jody and her mom and left their faith future in God’s hands. Their family moved to another subdivision. A few years later, we heard Jody married and moved west. Then, one day I answered a knock at the door. It was Jody. Over coffee she told how she and her husband had both become Christians and recently returned to the city with their four children.

“I saw your name on the list of contacts for the ladies community Bible study,” she said, “and I just thought you’d like to know that I’m serving God.”

I called Melody, now living in another city, to share the good news.

“I wonder how her mother feels about Jody being a Christian,” she said.

I wondered too.

A few months later, Jody called to say her mother had inoperable cancer and asked if we would pray. Within a short time, her mom passed away, but before she died Jody had an opportunity to lead her Christ.

Don’t let discouragement hinder the good work you’re doing today. Keep sowing to please the Spirit of God and commit the outcome to Him. It takes time for the seeds of the gospel to germinate and produce a harvest.

Prayer:

“Lord, help me to keep on planting seeds for Jesus in people’s hearts, knowing that in their proper season they’ll produce a harvest that pleases You.”

— Rose McCormick Brandon writes personal experience essays, Bible studies, news articles, profiles and devotionals from her home in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada.