Do We Reap What We Sow?

When you plant seeds you sow them. Galatians 6:7 says "A man reaps what he sows" (harvests what he plants, gets what he deserves). This agricultural metaphor gets mangled frequently into you "you reap what you sew." At best, you might rip what you sew; but you probably wouldn't want to tell people about it. That's the exact answer I got when I Googgled the phrase you reap what you sew.

Well I'd like to tell ya a story about a harvest I didn't sow and yet reaped many fruits and blessings. Many years ago I was in the restaurant business. Through an inheritance the business was mine, the banks, and a few other folks that were owed money. My Dad had taught me by example to survive in the small town economy you must give back what you receive. Just as an example at Christmas time he began a tradition of giving away turkeys and other food items to feed those in need. In the twenty plus years we were in business we gave away over 3000 turkeys.

Dad also was very big about buying locally when ever possible, even if it would cost a few dollars more. He stayed away from the big box stores with a passion. "Remember it's these small retailers that are the back bone of our community." I found out latter this was an understatement. The small employer say a hundred employees or less is the backbone of our country. These are the men and women that began the economy of our country and sustain it today. They have a pride in ownership that is unsurpassed in any industry. That's a story for another day.

Mom also taught by example. Anytime a man or woman would stop in the restaurant asking to work for food she had a surprise for them. She would thoughtfully ask if they would be so kind as to help her. Mom sat them at a table and brought them a meal, everything from soup, salad, entre and dessert. The she would ask them to please when they again were on their feet help someone else in a like manner. This tradition was continued many years after Mom passed over. We honestly believed it was the correct thing to do. Business also increased dramatically after such an event.

After a time thing began to sour for me. I lost the business. I was asked to leave a nearly thirty year marriage. I had my fourth heart attack. Things looked bleak to me. I had been taught that whenever I thought something was the worst thing that could happen to me I was wrong. God has a plan and you will see in the grand scheme of things this will be the best thing that could've happened to you.

I' had unknown friends come up to me and slip a folded bill in my pocket. He walked away saying "Buy yourself some gas and a Diet Coke on me." When I was at the gas station I looked to see how much gas I could buy and found a hundred dollar bill.

I was remarried and wondering how we would celebrate Christmas with no tree, no presents, and only a meager food budget. A lady at church slipped into the pew and asked if she could move my car. I gave her my keys and thought nothing of it. When we returned home there was a message on the answering machine "Check your trunk HO HO HO" I went to the trunk and found a tree, ornaments, lights, wrapped presents, and enough food to have a feast everyday for month.

I had my leg amputated. I had visitors from family on a regular basis. I also had a friend that came by every Thursday morning just to say HI and see if I needed anything. He never stayed long but brought more joy into my life than He'll ever know.

I have been blessed with a harvest of friends, joy, happiness. All I ever did was follow an example of love and giving. I'm told there was an old Jewish Carpenter-Rabi that first taught this lesson many years ago by example.