“Nothing is more disheartening than standing at the edge of your field, prepared to reap the rewards of hard work, only to have something break. This is the thing you’re most afraid of: all of it breaking. . . . You’ve trusted God in the Growing Slow journey, taking one faithful step at a time, but you aren’t seeing the yield that motivated you to keep taking the next step forward.”- Jennifer Dukes Lee
” . . . a time to break down and a time to build up.”- Ecclesiastes 3:3 (ESV)
In Chapter 14 (“The Thing We’re Most Afraid Of”) of Growing Slow, Jennifer Dukes Lee tells of the time her husband Scott experienced a mechanical breakdown on his combine. On the perfect kind of harvesting day. That left Scott frustrated, angry, and probably a bit scared. Harvest delayed.
Hence, the harvest season reflects the paradox of life — a both/and situation. Knowing you hold joy in one hand and agony in the other. Yet, many people quickly classify year as either good or bad. As a result, people often find themselves ready to leave one year behind and welcome the new one.
However, in reality each year consists of both ups and downs. Therefore, Jennifer counsels, it’s to our benefit not to classify any one season, experience, or year as wholly good or wholly bad. Thus, the author adds:
“Few thing feel more confusing or frustrating than finding ourselves ankle deep in broken things. But the Ancient Way (Ecclesiastes 3) of Growing Slow means we embrace every season, even seasons of breaking.”
In conclusion, Jennifer notes, our brokenness serves as an opportunity for Jesus to heal us and make us whole. To lift up our broken pieces of life to God. Because He sees us and promises to do something with our broken pieces.
Last autumn, Scott experienced the same problem with his combine. From past experience, he knew what to do. But this time, the very thing that distressed him the previous harvest turned into the thing that grew him.
Today’s question: Standing at the edge of your field, what broken pieces do you find? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Metaphorical bleachers – life spectators”
