Gatherings

 "The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing." Prov. 20:4

As I drive through country roads this autumn season, I am observing the squirrels scampering here and there. They are so busy; so focused on stashing their winter food supply,  they are even reckless as they dash across the road in front of my tires. I like to watch them so intent on their fall gatherings. 

This time in October and November, was in earlier times, just referred to as "Autumn" which means "to gather".  After the busy months of summer, we lose the beauty of the blooming flowers, but gather the overflowing baskets of fruit and grain. It is the law of life and one of the most fulfilling feelings ever experienced in life. We reap what we sow.

But we only reap if we sow. I am reminded today of how we should be living life experiencing the planting and the reaping daily. That's what living is all about.

I am in the Autumn of my life. I have to push a little harder to get out and sow. But I know if I don't , in the gathering season, the basket will be empty!  

I know my family will grow so much that these days of connecting may be fewer and far between. But right now I'm just tucking the precious memories into every basket I can find.

Time with family and friends is worth all the hard work you put into grounding relationships. If you take the time to sow the seeds, you feel so good to keep gathering year after year.

We threw our baskets in the car and headed out to Kentucky and West Virginia to gather.  We came back exhausted with them overflowing with the harvest!!

I soak up the loving camaraderie of our Kentucky son and his family. They are very openly affectionate with us and with each other. They laugh and they hug a lot.  They can still enjoy a campfire and haven't outgrown Pawpaw's funny songs he always sings to them while sitting around the fire cooking great chunks of steak on a stick!  We listened to lots of band music and enjoyed a Fallfest where we drank chocolate milk out of unique glass milk bottles. We rode the hay wagon and shot vegetables out of a veggie sling!! The kids love Monopoly and we made up our own rules and laughed bunches!! My grandma hands and heart gets almost greedy with the gathering!!

 

In West Virginia, we savoured our daughter's home cooked meals, did donuts in the truck with the grandson, and took photos on the often visited old Cass bridge. I donned my grandaughter's cowboy boots and rode with her out to "salt" the cows and snapped some classic "little pig" shots with the farmer. We girls had to drive 30 minutes of curvy road to sit a spell at a cafe called The Dirt Bean. Only in West Virginia!! The guys explored an old barn, hauled cattle, and we all relaxed around the open fire as we always do. We loaded our baskets with crisp fall evenings under wide open skies and even liked the strong farm smells!!!  It's all a wonderful part of the West Virginia gatherings!!

 

 
 

After the last campfire, we drove late into the night to connect with a big brother and sister in law. We gathered some more by catching up at midnight while munching on chocolate candy. Dashing off to Cracker Barrel the next morning, we indulged and took photos on the classic front porch. Just a few hours but so rewarding!! 

 

Having lived in both states in years gone by, we always take a little time to look up old friends, give some quick hugs, and chat awhile. It's a shame to let old friendships rust out!! So we keep trying to sow a little so we can reap a little. 

 
 

I keep my basket setting close. I often have opportunity to gather. Like having company tonight. I'm going to enjoy supper with them and do dinner next door, compliments of the daughter and the grand girls. I'm grabbing my basket and extending my hands to gather!

 
 

Our Louisiana family toss things into the basket almost daily via texting and FaceTime!!  It keeps us smiling at the antics of the two little ones! 

 

I love it that Harvest isn't limited to two or three months!  We can sow daily by the giving out. And we can gather daily as it is returned. " Give and it shall be given....... Pressed down and running over!!

So get out and sow.  Or you will be very lonely sitting with your empty baskets!!!