Our cotton has been picked, baled, collected and is awaiting it’s turn at the gin.

 

It is such a satisfactory feeling to know that your fruit is harvested.

Last week, I was asking Dad about the possibility of cover crops to maximize our land resources. We kicked around a few ideas and then he explained why they wouldn’t work.

His ending comment, which was perhaps the most simple and profound, was “and besides, the farmer needs a rest. All this planting and harvesting is all done by the same group of folks and we all need a break.

Being the keyboard puncher that I am, I had grown oblivious and not accounted for their need of rest. My hand in cotton growing or bull raising is easy.

I collect bills, pay for supplies, and admire the process as it goes along but no one is depending on my knowledge or skill to actually pull anything off.

So, his comment has made me reflect on the idea of winter, why this season was given to nature and to us in our human lives.

Winter is a time for rest. We see the need for dormancy in the landscape.

We observe that nature sleeps collectively in winter.

True, some put on a beautiful show of flowers and berries to delight the eye and feed the birds but these cool weather favorites are resting the rest of the year.

I can’t think of a living plant that is “on” all of the time. Even the evergreens take a break.

As we are resting, we are also preparing.

We are laying by fields. The fields are then fertilized and lying in wait for their future crops that will grow there.

 

In our own human world, we are awaiting Christmas, preparing the soil of our hearts for His arrival celebration, and looking forward to a new year.

We are making plans and looking to make necessary changes, thinking of new ways to do everyday business.

However, have you ever tried to brainstorm new ideas when your mental tank is running on fumes? It’s pretty difficult.

God has given nature a season of rest. He has given us a sabbath to enjoy every week. He has made room for rest and for waiting.

As a child, I never liked winter.

It was dull and drab with the singular highlight being Christmas.

Now, as an adult, I can see the reality of Winter’s gift and it’s very necessary purpose.

Without Winter, there can be no Spring bloom.

-Amanda Roberts