Sowing in Tears

"Those who sow in tears
will reap with songs of joy.

He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with him."
Psalm 126:5-6

Joanna and I are doing a wonderful Bible study on the book of Ruth. There is so much to get out of such a small book of the Bible. Wow. This week, one of the days talked a bit about this passage. I had "discovered" this passage in 2002, while I was still very, very ill, and trying to get used to my new life as a myasthenic with a trach. Quite the adjustment.

What I used to focus on was the tears and joy part. I was like, well, this is a good thing...at least I KNOW that while I'm crying and crying and crying I will have joy sometime in the future.

I TOTALLY missed the point. It's the basic sowing and reaping principle. At its most basic, if you plant corn, you will grow corn. If you plant potatoes, don't expect carrots.

So even though I may be weeping, I still must sow. Even though it hurts, and I'm tired, and lonely sometimes, and sick, and busy, and.....I must sow if I want to reap. This passage is just telling us that even if we are weeping while we sow, we can still reap joy.

And I have just one thing to say to that: Hallelujah. Because if this was all there was....if the weeping never brought joy....

But sow. Take the seed you have, whether it be kindness, prayer, compassion, finances, support (physical, emotional or spiritual), and SOW. Because when you do, the harvest will come, and the harvest will be filled to overflowing with joy.