Waking, I kick off the heavy bed sheets. Husband asks, “Are you going to walk before it gets too hot?”
A breeze from the ceiling fan caresses my face. I’d rather NOT walk: too tired, too lazy, too much to do….
Lame excuses. Until four days ago, I exercised most every day this summer and reaped the physical benefits. Can’t forsake this habit now!
My stiff body groans as I hobble from the bed. But my mind is determined which leads to the first step out the door.
Summer heat smacks me in the face. I glance at my watch: 7:30 a.m. With each sluggish step, my legs protest, but soon I’m in a rhythm. Never mind the sweat.
A deer crosses the road with her speckled fawn. She pauses to study me. Realizing I’m not a threat, she nuzzles the fawn’s ear and grazes on the brown field grass.
Further on my walk, a neighbor greets me. We’ve never met though I’ve passed his home a hundred times. His hands are full of round, lemon yellow cucumbers. “Would you like some fresh vegetables? We’re leaving town.”
I return home, arms laden with the ripe harvest from someone else’s labor. “Look at the bounty I would have missed if I’d stayed in bed,” I tell my husband. “I wonder if they’re Christians.”
How often have I walked this road? How many neighbors have I met? How do I interact with the ones I know?
Breakfast is sliced cucumbers. Dinner will include round green squash. Perhaps I should bake Squash bread for our new neighbor.
I flip through squash recipes, but my mind lingers on the choices I make first thing each day. Walk? Read my Bible or pray?
The same excuses attempt to derail me, sabotage my day. Some days, excuses win. I lose.
But on those mornings I give God the first fruits of my day:I truly win.
I reap a harvest of blessings and bear the fruits of His Spirit. But to what end?
“”Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields,” says Jesus, “that they are white for harvest. Already he who reaps is receiving wages, and is gathering fruit for life eternal; that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together” (John 4:35-37).
The mission fields are ripe. Hoarding the Good News isn’t an option.
Like sharing the harvest of a summer garden, when we share God’s love with others, everybody wins.
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Even In This 
How did I miss this that summer? Or maybe I did read it and my mind is rushing past me again. Oh, well. It was worth waiting for..Your walk is a great way to meet neighbors. Meaning, your walk in Christ! It produces fantastic fruit.
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Every day…whether we’re walking around the neighborhood or working with people….is an opportunity for Kingdom building. Spreading the good news. And seeing others with Jesus’ eyes. 🙂
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Hi Karen – I just remembered I forgot to respond to your last comment on this post – couldn’t remember which one it was but found it first try. Kindred spirits – I love that phrase. It reminds me of Anne of Green Gables (or is it Gable?). I’m honored to be a kindred spirit!
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I love your words, Karen – you’re such a beautiful writer. I especially liked this thought: But on those mornings I give God the first fruits of my day:I truly win. I’m feeling that in all areas of my walk with God – not just the first fruits of the day but also of my thoughts, my goals, and my ministry. The more I keep Him first in all areas of my life, the more beautiful my days are – even those days that don’t seem beautiful in and of themselves.
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Barb, I am thankful for your encouraging words. My Christian mentor Loretta often told me to “give the first fruits of my day.” And when I’m struggling to know where to go with my goals and ministry, I’m reminded my goal is God Himself.
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Hi Karen, I wrote a reply already and lost it! So if you get two replies from me, that’s why. I love what you said about the goal being God Himself. That is so true, and I need to keep reminding myself of that.
When I first started writing, I’d already established a first-of-the-morning quiet time, but I found myself thinking, “Oh, I’ll just study this Scripture I’m writing about and that will be my quiet time.” I quickly found out that that wasn’t good for my relationship with God – I needed time with Him for just me before I had time with Him for writing and others.
It’s strange that when I write Bible studies or blogs I don’t always feel like I’m writing with Him – and that should certainly be the case since I’m writing about Him. I hope to develop that habit more as I write – my best goal would be that my writing time would be a time of worship and fellowship with Him.
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I you loud and clear! After all God gives us the gift and desire to write so it makes sense we should share that time Him! You are a kindred spirit. 🙂
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“Hoarding the Good News isn’t an option.” LOVE that thought, because I forget that too many times. Thanks for the gentle reminder that the choices I make first thing each day determine the rest of my day!
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I’ve always heard we should start the day with a good breakfast. But that meal is third in my line up of priorities. Just means I have to get up early which isn’t easy for a night owl. But I’m learning to be a morning person. I’m just that selfish to want my exercise and quiet time. When school starts, it’s more challenging.
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So beautiful!! 🙂
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Thank you Arlene. Wish I could share some of the veggies with you. 🙂 I’M cooking some of the summer squash for our homeless folks tonight. Different churches take turns hosting homeless for dinner and a place to sleep. Perfect timing! I get to share the produce!
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