Driving around lower Alabama (LA) these past few weeks, I have noticed quite a few vegetable gardens throughout the county. They are beautifully kept and will be an asset to all who use them. Growing vegetables during the spring and summer months is not only great physical exercise, but it helps the soul to become grounded to what is important. Digging in the earth gives your spirit a lift and gets you out doors, especially when the weather is so beautiful.
When I wake up in the morning, I take my cup of orange juice and a walk outside to my garden to visit all my “babies”. Tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and cucumbers are all growing profusely and I have started harvesting vegetables already. The garden is my thinking place and I have pondered many topics about my life which help me to shape my opinions and reinforce my testimony of the gospel.
One of those thought provoking topics is the “Law of the Harvest”. The Law of the Harvest is an important lesson to learn for all families, as there is responsibility in gleaning in what parents have “planted.” We plant a seed in our lives; whether a project we have started, a sport we play for a season, a degree at school, or children we bring to earth. We are obligated to follow through until we are have finished the job. With children, we are never really “finished” but at a certain point they are on their own and hopefully as parents we have taught them well enough to let them live their own lives. We nurture our children as we would our garden and we keep at it until the fruit of our labors has blossomed to maturity.
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As time marches on, my garden gets more difficult to maintain. Adversity, as in hot weather, lack of time, too many weeds and other distractions keep me from my garden. I’m overwhelmed by all the produce and I am tired. But the “Law of the Harvest” tells me to follow through until the end. We have the same opportunity to see the growth in our own children. Adversity as in lack of time, inappropriate media and worldly distractions from important tasks affect what we want to accomplish with our families. We follow through in our families to teach our children what is necessary for a successful life such as a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, a work ethic to successfully keep employment and integrity for an honest life.
L. Tom Perry, apostle from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints said it well: “One must be impressed with the great message of the Lord’s law of the harvest. His system produces growth, multiplication, and abundant rewards. Surely as we watch the blessings of this growth cycle each year, we would expect His children to catch the vision of their mortal potential. He has entrusted too many of His children during their earthly ministry the opportunity of caring for His special creations—His sons and His daughters. It is surely the greatest of all responsibilities which He has delegated to mankind.”
Read the entire talk on the law of the harvest.
Valerie Steimle has been writing as a family advocate for over 25 years. As a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she promotes Christian living in her writings and is the mother of nine children and grandmother to twelve. Mrs. Steimle authored six books and is a contributing writer to several online websites. To her, time is the most precious commodity we have and knows we should spend it wisely.
To read more of Valerie's work, visit her at her website, The Blessings of Family Life.
Well said. I love my garden too and ponder the law of the harvest. Yes, I agree, sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming, but also very gratifying.