A beautiful cornfield borders my backyard. Today, I have the privilege of watching the wind blow through the topmost parts of the stalks. The warmth of the sun suggests that summer hasn't quite given up, but the fading green barely clinging to the deadening husks proves autumn's triumph. After hosting a homemade dessert social for those who've helped me on this journey, my life is reminiscent of the weather.
In fact, I’m struggling to determine if my attitude has morphed according to the rain and sun, or if they've coincidentally matched my mood. The dessert thank-you party formed one of the best days I've had all year. My overwhelming desire to make a tangible—even edible—expression of my gratitude culminated in a joyful event full of love and encouragement. Honestly, I believe I was more blessed by those I was trying to thank than were the guests!
That perfect day marked the final day of work related to support raising for my trip. Shortly before the event, I reached 100% of my financial goal. Praise God! That day also marked a momentary end in beautiful weather. The next day, rain splashed from the chilling skies without mercy. So began the weeklong precipitation and startling cold. As the skies cried, I battled not to do the same. I felt lazy as the summer full of hard work suddenly switched to a sloth-like speed.
With sunny skies and spirits returned, I’ve realized how much I’m like the corn in my backyard. Growing all summer in spurts of skyward stretching or weeks with no apparent progress, the corn now waits. As summer drew to a close, the limber green stalks stiffened and turned a classic gold. Soon, but not yet, the corn will be ready, harvested, and used. Likewise, I no longer reach toward the sky in rapid growth or fall to my knees without progress. Now I wait. I'm turning from a season of partnership development to personal preparation. Soon, but not yet, I will be ready, uprooted, and used for God’s new purpose.