We’ve been blessed with beautiful fall harvest weather. Many farmers are winding down their harvest operations; much different than the last couple of years when they battled the elements to get their crops off.
I do love a warm, sunny fall day. It can almost feel that everything is right in the world when the cats are preening in the sunshine. We got our garden cleaned up in record time this year with only a few potatoes and carrots left in the ground. I enjoyed the relaxed effort Big Sweet Pea and I made. It was much better than those days beating the frost or snow that was bound to set in. It truly has been a lovely beginning to fall.
Mind you, it doesn’t bother me to have a few cool days mixed in, too. It makes for a perfect day to whip up some fresh buns and a batch of homemade soup. After a summer of not much baking or working over a hot stove, I look forward to creating comfort food for my family once again. My favorite soup is beet borscht made from my friend, Mariann’s recipe. It is so satisfying to add in the vegetables that have been grown on our land.
This year, I canned a bit more than usual. It seems COVID has pushed us to go back to the basics. Many people have taken to canning, to the point that canning supplies are in scare supply. I do wish I wouldn’t have disposed of as many canning jars as I once did in a purging frenzy. Little did I know I would wish to pressure can pickles, spaghetti sauce and jams again! A favorite in our house is dilled carrots.
As we go back to our roots, I think we find some consolation. I’m nearing 50 — hard to believe only two more years until half a century has passed. I find myself telling the sweet peas tales of my childhood more; maybe to preserve those times? We do tend to talk about the good old days.
Do you remember that song by the Judds, “Grandpa”? The words go like this: “Grandpa, tell me 'bout the good old days. Sometimes it feels like this world's gone crazy. And Grandpa, take me back to yesterday when the line between right and wrong didn't seem so hazy.” Those words ring true for today, even though they were written over 30 years ago. It does feel as though this world has gone crazy, doesn’t it?
As I pondered writing this column today, my thoughts went to Psalm 121:1,2 “I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” In these crazy times, we must turn our eyes on Jesus. He has sent the Holy Spirit as our helper and comforter. He knows the end from the beginning. We can take comfort that He knows our days. He cares about each of us and wants us to turn our worries, fears and concerns to Him. He desires that we develop a relationship with Him.
When we do, He will give clear direction as we tune our ear to His heart; we will hear him speaking peace in the midst of the storm. He is our maker. He is the creator of heaven. He is the creator of earth. He is faithful. He promises to be with us. “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Let this truth sink deep. And let’s enjoy the beauty of this season.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
