Harvest 2021: Life Lessons and Mark Twain

I am reminded as I look out on the fields we are beginning to harvest that the best yields experienced in life, whether in a literal field or not, are the result of many faithful days of sowing, tending, and waiting. It’s easy for me to look at the quote above by Mark Twain and interpret the “getting ahead” part as something that happens quickly once I begin the hard work of getting started (that is, of course, said with a wink). Starting something takes a lot of courage, but as Twain stated, it is only the first step. The long journey of growth has just begun.

I love to see quick results, and it seems like I’m not alone. Our culture is inundated with “achievement” based stories and accolades as though that is the only time of life worth mentioning. But how much would we miss in life if we actually got to skip to the end? It is almost a frightening thought to consider. Life would truly be but a blink between start and finish, sowing and reaping, birth and death.

If you are like me, you probably find yourself in the ordinary “in-between” today. There is nothing spectacular to celebrate or shout about. In fact, it looks pretty mundane from most vantage points. But this is where the truly meaningful parts of life take place. This is where I get to love my family faithfully another day. This is where I get to work at our family goals another day. This is where our hearts learn to be faithful, resilient, patient, humble and kind. This day, and what we do with it, matters.

I hope that encourages your heart like it does mine. Today, whether extraordinary or ordinary, is a gift.