White for Harvest

"Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest."- John 4:35*

(*Before moving to Iowa, I never really understood what "white fields" really meant. I'm pretty sure that Jesus wasn't alluding to corn... but it is true that even corn turns almost white when harvest time comes around. And Iowa... we have a lot of corn. )




I love Jesus's words here in John.

Look! 

Lift up your eyes! 
How often am I so focused on the things right in front of me- on the dishes to be washed, invoices to be sent, e-mails to be answered, laundry to be folded- that I forget to look? To lift up my eyes?

Because here, in this moment, in this season, in this place, the fields are white around me.

Hearts are ready. Ears are open.

But if I don't see them, if I don't look up and take the opportunity to have the conversation, to give the hug, to sit and listen, I will miss it.





Today, right now, take a moment to stop.

Yes, there's plenty to be done and lots of tasks to check off your To-Do List. So many practical, real-life, important needs to be met.

But don't get so caught up that you forget to look up. To see what (and who) God has for you in this moment.



Maybe it's a kiss on your child's cheek. Maybe dropping a note to a friend.

Maybe it's rearranging your own perspective and finding the joy. Counting that blessing.

Smiling at the grocery store clerk. Taking an extra five minutes on that phone call to really listen when they answer the question, "How are you, today?"

Lift up your eyes, because harvest is right now.