They sowed fields and planted vineyards

that yielded a fruitful harvest;

he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased,

and he did not let their herds diminish.

(Psalm 107:37-38, NIV)

Recently, I was running an errand that took me along a country road south of Yorktown. I quickly noticed that the tell-tale signs of autumn are upon us. The corn stalks in the fields are making their transition from green to yellow to brown. The soybeans are slowly changing colors as they prepare for harvest. And, on this county road, the tomato field was in active harvest.

This got me to thinking about the bounty that God has provided for us. I am blessed with a home (thank you), a wonderful family, and a church family that love one another. My table always has enough food (maybe too much if you look at my waist).

Often, I find myself thinking about the obstacles that I am going to encounter this week. Which of our aging cars is going to need work? Which parent is on “chauffeur duty”? When am I going to find time to write the newsletter article? Most of these are necessary “to do” items and need to be addressed. But sometimes I (we) get too focused on the obstacles and not the blessings.

What I am suggesting is what happened to me on that drive along County Road 600W. Take a moment to step outside of the hustle of the week and thank God for the blessings. (And at this time of year, pray for our farmers).

In Christ!

Pastor Matthew