Just a few thoughts further on the topic. 

As I read the definitions of fallow, I would summarize as "Not in use."

Note that this is not equivalent to "Useless."

Some ground is "fallow" because it has never been prepared for growth.  Some, perhaps, never will.  Other, given the right circumstances, might one day be placed in use. 

Some ground is fallow because it has been used, and is being given the opportunity to "rest" as nutrients and minerals are replaced.  Rotating of crops allows different contents of the soil to be used by different types of plants with differing needs, and part of the process might include leaving a plot bare for a season.  This is to prepare it to be ready for future use.    A skilled farmer or gardener, would understand the process well, and assign crops appropriately with purpose and insight.  A novice, like myself, would do so a little more randomly, I imagine...call it guess and check.

There are those hearts out there which have never heard the gospel...God, by design and purpose, will deal with each one, and in His time, they will have that opportunity to receive Him.  There are those hearts out there which are devoted to Him, but at times, by His plan and design, are permitted to step back and rest, not in a negative way, but in preparation for the fruit He intends to cultivate and produce in their lives.  

I guess I haven't fully assimilated the thoughts and ideas, but I do enjoy thinking about such things when I'm about gardening business.

It's cooling off here, maybe we'll have that first frost by the end of the week.  With our schooling in full swing, its a bit tougher to get into the garden as much, and yet our tomato and tomatillo plants still have so much fruit on the vines.  With the threat of frost, there's an urgency to harvest anything that's good, as we wouldn't want it to go to waste.  The growth and placement of plants have been such that it can be tricky to find the ripe fruit...much of it is well hidden, much moreso than in the height of growing season. 

While looking through and hunting down those few ripe or close to ripe tomatoes and worrying a bit about all the green ones, I thought a lot about the sense of urgency I and other Christians should have as the signs of the times point more and more to the Lord's return.  All the more in this day, there seem to be so many distractions...multiple job households, all manners of entertainment and activities to dominate our lives...a world that runs to and fro without a solution.  A sense of urgency exists, yet so much challenge to find some of the hidden fruit as the ends of the earth have many people groups still to be reached.  And the concern for those who are just not yet ready to accept the gospel message as a personal invitation and need...the crops are ready to harvest, but as the end of the harvest approaches, is there a shortage of those genuinely preoccupied with the eternity of those who have not yet heard? 

Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."  Matthew 9:37-38

Given the size of the garden, there have been some times where there is so much to gather, and the youngsters, as they are able, have been mostly happy to chip in and help.  Unfortunately, not all are willing participants, and so often those less disposed to this task are assigned other roles of helping with the youngest siblings so Mom can get things done.  Also, some of the kids do lose attention quickly and wander from the task, so it's often a couple of faithful gatherers and myself.  Dad thoughtfully commented the other day, "Too bad we don't have any gleaners."

Many mornings I've thought of the harvest of people, and the words of the Lord, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few."  How many are there who look upon the task without interest or concern, and how many more of us are there who weary all too quickly of sharing Jesus with a lost and dying world.  And there are the faithful who plod along attempting to gather all that they can.  How sad the fruit that must be left to either rot or be gleaned.  The prayer of my heart is that He send out laborers into the harvest.

I finally have a minute to upload photos and post...

I've had this category in mind for a bit, but time is limited!

The garden of special blessing to us as it has provided the

family with a point of prayer and work...

As we worked to prepare the ground, protect the perimeter

from unwelcome predators (a large bunny population!), and

sow the beginnings, we began to pray each day, "Lord,

please bless the garden, that it would supply sufficient food

for our (large) household, and enough to share as well!"

He has done just that, as we are swimming in zuchinni,

lemon cucumbers, tomatillos, and enjoying a decent supply of

other tasty veggies and fruits as well.  The tomatoes have slowed

in production, but are growing into a tremendous towering jungle,

getting ready for another boom.  We've grown a few very nice

sized, tasty watermelon!  Our corn production was short,

but tasty, and the cantaloupe are slowly ripening. 

Sunflowers line some of the perimeter, providing an occasional

 treat for the goat and seeds for the kids as well. 

And the Lord has provided us all with work that must be done to

keep it going...sowing, watering, harvesting...He has given a

blessed increase...and He has given me much to meditate upon

as I spend time...so many thoughts, I'm sure there are poems to

be grasped when things slow down, but for now, I am satisfied

to journal my thoughts in this category, as I revel in His loving

kindness, faithfulness, and provision!   

Early June

The End of August