The Harvest We Share
As the leaves turn shades of gold and the air grows crisp, fall invites us to slow down and notice the rhythms of God’s creation. It is a season of harvest when months of planting and tending finally bear fruit. I've lived in the city my entire life, but even I know that harvest doesn’t happen by chance. It is the direct result of seeds planted, care given and faith exercised. I also know that farming is hard work, and if you want a field full of corn stalks you have to get that corn seed in the ground, even in the most challenging circumstances so that it can grow.
While this is true in agriculture, it applies just as much to our lives, our relationships and our communities. You're probably familiar with the simple but powerful principle: You reap what you sow. I’m encouraged by this truth in scripture: “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!” (Psalm 126:5).
The phrase “sow in tears” might sound heavy at first, but it carries a hopeful message. It reminds us that sometimes the most meaningful growth comes from effort that feels difficult or even uncomfortable. In our relationships, this could mean showing patience when tensions rise, offering forgiveness when it’s hard or giving encouragement when someone seems discouraged. In our communities, it might look like volunteering your time, sharing resources or simply lending a helping hand even when it stretches you. These acts are like seeds planted in soil; they may not yield immediate results, but with persistence and care they blossom into a harvest of joy, connection and blessing for all around us.
If we plant seeds of encouragement, we reap deeper friendships. If we plant seeds of patience and forgiveness, we cultivate peace. If we plant generosity, kindness and service, we see joy grow not only in our own lives but also in the lives of those around us. The harvest is a mirror of the seeds we’ve chosen to scatter.
But here is an important reminder: God never designed the harvest to be for one person alone. A true harvest is shared. Farmers throughout history gathered far more than their own families could consume and the abundance was meant to bless others. The same is true in our spiritual and relational harvests. The blessings we receive are multiplied when we pass them along.
The Psalmist declared: “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy” (Psalm 126:3). When we pause to notice God’s goodness, gratitude wells up in us. And that gratitude doesn’t just sit quietly. It overflows. It inspires generosity, kindness and service to others.
At the YMCA, we see this spirit of sowing and reaping lived out every day. It’s in the volunteer who plants time and care into helping children learn new skills. It’s in the member who offers a word of encouragement to someone just beginning their fitness journey. It’s in families who gather here not only to grow stronger physically but to strengthen their connections with one another. Every small seed makes a difference and together they produce a harvest of community.
This month, we are especially excited to celebrate that community harvest in partnership with One Fellowship Church at our Fall Festival. Festivals have always been moments of gathering and gratitude. In ancient Israel, the harvest festivals were times for people to come together, thank God for His provision and share in the abundance. Our festival is a nod to that tradition, bringing together families, neighbors and friends for fun, fellowship and joy. It is more than an event; it is a reminder of the blessings that come when we plant and celebrate together.
So, as you walk through this season, ask yourself: What seeds am I planting? In your home, are you sowing love, patience and kindness? In your friendships, are you planting encouragement and honesty? In your community, are you sowing service and generosity? Every seed matters. And when we sow with God’s help, we can trust that the harvest will be filled with joy not only for us but for all those around us.
