Today, I want to share with you something that happened many years ago now. It comes back to mind each year at this time. But first, I want to share some foundational scriptures with you. These are powerful truths we should all be praying over ourselves and our family daily.
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:6
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7
There is one who scatters yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself. Proverbs 11:24-25
In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good. Ecclesiastes 11:6
There was a partner, years ago, who sent me a jar of his freshly canned peaches. That small gift began a harvest that would touch generations. It was those simple jars of peaches that caused me to want to learn to can and preserve each years harvest.
A couple years later, while putting up peaches, I sent this friend and partner a text.
My text read, “As the canning season ends, as always, I thank God for you and for those freshly canned peaches you sent me years ago. Although my peaches have never been as good as yours were, you set me on a path of learning to can fresh produce. It has brought me great joy! Now, I have taught my daughter to preserve her harvest each year. She sells a lot of her canned goods to supplement her income…all these blessings from one can of peaches you gave that day. Today, I thank God for you and pray He continues to bless you beyond anything you can think, ask, or imagine.”
It was a precious seed. I didn’t realize how precious it was until years later. That seed he sowed to me has blessed my life in ways I could never have imagined.
It set me on a path that has not only saved my family money each year, but what we eat is much fresher with less preservatives. That small seed he sowed has produced a tremendous harvest. Not just one time. That seed continues to produce harvest, year after year.
And it didn’t stop with me. Now, my daughter knows how to preserve fresh fruit and vegetables for her family. Her family is benefitting from his seed which was sown to me. In her, the seed has been multiplied. In the years to follow, she supplemented her income with canning salsa, applesauce, jellies and so much more. I am seeing his seed produce a continual harvest in multi-generations.
Why am I telling you this?
Your seed, every single seed, produces a harvest. Some a continual harvest.
1 Corinthians 3:6-8 says, I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
God increases our seeds sown. It may happen differently than you imagine, but harvest will come.
Every year, as canning season ends, I thank God for Ken who sent me fresh canned peaches one year, many years ago. His seed in my life, continues to produce a harvest. Not only in my life, but the life of my entire family. That, my friend, is a blessed seed!
Additionally, I have watched him continue to increase and prosper year after year – how could he not – he is a generous and consistent giver.
Purpose in your heart today to become a sower of seeds. Ask God to show you where to sow seeds that will produce a perpetual harvest. It will change lives in ways you can only imagine. It will touch people beyond the one you sow the seed to. My daughter and I are living proof of that.
I am a giver. I am a sower. Each year, when I make canned goods, I always, always, share them with others. I sow as much as I eat. I don’t eat all my seeds. I sow much of it. And each year, I am always able to find what I have need for the coming year. I will always be able to have what I need…why? Because I sow continually, I will reap continually. My bible says, do not be mocked, whatever you sow, that shall you reap. I am a sower and I am a reaper.
For me, it is a way of life. Today, I am thankful for the precious seeds that have been sown into my life. I am thankful for God…who gives the increase. Most of all, I am thankful today for that simple jar of peaches.
