Gleaning the Fields

 Whenever I read the Book of Ruth, I marvel at the growers who allowed others to glean the fields, to pick up anything left over for themselves, sometimes, as in the case of Boaz, allowing extra to be left on the fields for the gleaners. The growers here in the Valley do the same thing. As we drive around in our ministry, I often  looked at the fields and saw vegetables laying in the fields after harvest, and wondered at the waste. I found out this week that it is not waste. The help here at the park are Hispanic (Mary, Mary, and Pablo) and as we visited, they told me that they were going to the onion fields to gather onions. One of the Marys brought us a plastic bag of huge, wonderful sweet onions.  I really don't know how this actually works - if a person has to check with the owner, or if there are certain fields that a person is assigned to. Guess I will scope that out this week. As we talked, Pablo told of the years that his family would go North as migrant workers. They would follow the harvest, going as far as Northern Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, etc. They did not like the Western part of the US, as the towns were too far apart and work was harder to find. It was so interesting as he described the migrant camps, the hard work from sunrise to sunset, involving the whole family. If each of the family members worked, they each drew a cash payment at the end of the day. He also talked about the great food that was prepared by the workers, the friendships that were developed each year, the family bonding time - things that are so important to all of us. It was a totally foreign way of  life compared to this city raised girl who never gave a thought to where the produce in the store came from, or how much physical labor was involved. I learned a valuable lesson this week - about family values, working together as a family unit, and the ability to earn a living. Imagine traveling 100's of miles together, working, eating sleeping, and living together for a whole growing season!!!! The kids had to have the capacity to adjust: if school was in session, they attended school (sometimes more than one in a growing season), came back to the camps, changed clothes went to work in the fields, did their homework, and started over the next day. No time clocks in their lives, only the desire to provide for the family.

The Easter lilies finally have bloomed here in the park. After waiting impatiently for them, they all burst forth with delicate and sturdy blooms. I wonder if that is how the disciples waited patiently for Jesus, the Messiah. They had in mind a worldly king, one who would rule their earthly world with justice. They never really got it, did they??? At least not until after the Resurrection. Now my impatience with the Easter lilies blooming matches my impatience for Jesus to come back and rule the world again,

so beautiful and pure looking

basil grows in the park - I use it often in cooking - sometimes I pick it just to smell it!!!!

This morning as we left for church, the humidity hit us right in the face. Before I even got to the vehicle, my hands were already damp from it. There have been a lot of flooding and storms North of us, so far we have not received any amount of rain at all, although it is predicted for the beginning of the week. The sermon this morning was a continuation of Wrestling with God series - I don't Want to Go, based on Matthew 17:1-8.We all have comfort food - what is yours?? Mine are caramels,  bread and a holiday dinner. The comfort comes not from the food but from the people who share it with us. Comfort food reminds me of holiday dinners, family fun, laughter, and of course the relaxation after a great meal. As the years progress, families change -  people pass away, get married, have children, move away, even become estranged. Change - none of us like change in our lives - we don't want to leave our comfort zone. We need to remember that we experience comfort in the comforter - the peace and calmness that prevails as we want to stay in the presence of the Lord. God lives in all places, not just where we experience Him, such as church, in our Bible reading time, fellowship with other Christians. We come away from these places with the comfort of God in our hearts not realizing  comfort in God is with us always. Not everyone has experienced God - we have to leave our comfort zones and try to help others feel that same God experiences that we do. Following God certainly takes us out of our comfort zone.

 

Step out of your comfort zone this week even if it means sitting at a different table at your favorite restaurant, parking in a different spot at work, sitting in a different chair as you watch TV, or even talking about God to someone else. You will be surprised how being out of your comfort zone becomes comfortable.