Growing
up I would sometimes hear people mention the meaning of their names. Some of
them had beautiful meanings that I kind of envied. You see the meaning of my
name is “Harvester”, and when I was younger I thought it sounded dull and
boring. Over the years I have come to greatly appreciate the meaning of my
name.
For many
years I have tried my hand at growing oranges and lemons, and each year I would
get so excited as the white blossoms turned into little green balls of baby
fruit. These were supposed to ripen to
full size fruit, but mine would inevitably all fall off to the ground
below. I am happy to report that my
green thumb seems to be doing much better this year. I have four fruit trees
which are all doing well this season. My nectarine tree produced a large bowl
of juicy, sweet fruit for me this summer. I have expanded my citrus to include
a mandarin tree as well as the orange and lemon. I am very pleased to say that
the little green fruits have stayed on their branches and are actually growing
into what I hope to be an abundant harvest of healthy, yummy treats. My
greatest feat this summer was the overflowing, unending supply of tomatoes and
green squash. We have a Topsy Turvy tomato plant hanger that has provided me
with enough tomatoes for big bowls of fresh salsa and Crockpots full of
homemade pasta sauce. The green squash
seem to be from the Jurassic period. I have never seen such huge squash in all
my life, and they just keep on coming. I use them in soups, with pasta, in egg
dishes, etc.
It seems
that I am living up to my name and I am thoroughly enjoying it. Planting,
watering and tending to the plants is very rewarding work. The time invested is
well worth it. Watching the fruit grow, bringing in the harvest and enjoying
the fruits of my labor is a wonderful blessing.
I have
found though, that the best part of having the name “Harvester” is that as a
child of God I am specifically called to be a “Harvester”, not of fruit but of
people. God wants me and all of His followers to plants seeds of love with the
message of Jesus to all people. It is wonderful to watch as lives are
transformed as they turn to God and He makes their lives blossom into something
beautiful. I am blessed to be called His harvester.
Matthew 9:37-38, Then
Jesus said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are
few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into
his harvest field.”
James 3:18,
Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
