Devotionals for the Heart: Life lessons learned from harvesting blueberries

The Mutual Blessings of Leaving a Generous Margin
A devotional by Sharon Musgrove

“When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner residing among you. I am the LORD your God!” ­­–Leviticus 23:22 NIV

The Lord’s wisdom in how to live peacefully in community has always been ways that bless all parties. But how could leaving some profit on the ground be a blessing for the person who owns the field? The answer is in believing that God’s blessings are bountiful! He wants to bless everyone with provision and plenty.

In 2017, my husband and I purchased a home with 18 well-established blueberry plants. As summer came around, we eagerly awaited a harvest of sweet treats. But we soon came to realize that our plants were putting out volumes of fruit daily—a crop we hadn’t prepared sufficient time to harvest. Picking daily, we’d return the next afternoon to a garden that looked as if we hadn’t touched it. We were overrun with produce! With such a haul, we began freezing gallons bags of blueberries, only to run out of freezer space. We were outmatched by the abundance of this garden!

The blueberries were a lesson in God’s love and bountiful provision. When trying to harvest every single berry ourselves, storing them up for some rainy day, we became taxed and resentful of the weight of our work. We no longer saw the crop as a gift. We saw it as a burden. But when we invited others to come and help themselves to the wealth on our land, something wonderful happened! Suddenly anxiety in our workload was exchanged for joy in relationship building. Reaping alongside others opened the door to sharing not just fruit, but friendship. The time spent together cultivated conversation, creating opportunity to get to know people.

Additionally, allowing others to do their own gleaning, instead of simply handing them a pre-picked portion, took away the stigma of indebtedness that can come with a gift. And being honest about our need for help meant they understood their efforts were valuable.

We often forget, as we strive to build up ourselves, the importance of brotherhood in that effort. Relationships are the economy in which love is exchanged; the field in which our hearts grow. We do well to remember that God said in Genesis 2:18 (NIV), “It is not good for the man to be alone.”

While not everyone has an abundance of berries, God gives all kinds of gifts to His children to grow and share. Sometimes we are blind to the provision of God, but His fruit comes in all shapes and sizes.

A good friend who retired from a career in nursing continues to harvest in caring for others as a foster parent for teens. And a widow with a heart for the arts opens her home to music students, appreciating the beauty of their work. These are modern day examples of God’s old school rule of leaving margin in your life for others. Both women see the extra space in their homes as “edges of their fields” that can feed the needs of those currently without. But in addition to the space they provide, these two engage with those who glean in their gardens, cultivating friendships and growing love.

Where in your life has God provided extra? Are you harvesting right up to the edge, leaving no margin for others? The nature of God is to fill you with the fullness of His love, which includes blessing you with companions that will help you continue to be fruitful. Do not be afraid to be generous, rather look for the harvest your hands are too full to hold and invite others in for the excess. In this way, the hands and hearts of a community will be filled.

Let’s Pray: Heavenly Father, You know our every need and You supply for those needs. Open our eyes to the abundance of Your provision, that we might feel liberated to live generously. And show us the value we gain in relationships when we share ourselves as well. Help us sow and harvest crops of love. In the Name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Generosity” by Jerome Collins. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Sharon Musgrove has a diverse background in business, fitness, and health industries. This background led her to a unique position writing curriculum and teaching for two private, Christ-based, residential recovery programs. Both programs primarily served women in the homeless community. 

Sharon has traveled multiple times to Kenya, serving on medical teams and teaching in the rural Maasai communities. She was privileged to participate in Leadership camps for maturing young women. These annual camps have a mission of encouraging and empowering the impoverished, underprivileged, and often abused young Maasai girls.

Identifying personally with the brokenness of the women she’s served, Sharon sees the great need for encouragement and connection. Within ministries served, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and building cross-cultural communities has become her passion.

In her leisure time, Sharon enjoys nature, deep conversations, and a good story. She and her husband, Jeff, divide their time between Oregon and Hawaii. They have two grown children.

Currently, Sharon is encouraging others via her inspirational blog, writing devotionals for other websites, and is working on a nonfiction book titled, The Whole-Of-Us: Putting Church Back Together.

~*~
Connect with Sharon:
Email: sharon@sharonmusgrove.com
Website: Sharonmusgrove.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sharon-Musgrove-Untethered-102208978041060
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonkmusgrove/

Devotionals for the Heart: The Harvest

The Work of the Laborers
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” 

–Luke 10:2 (ESV)

On a recent trip to Germany, we stayed overnight in the home of a missionary couple living in one of Europe’s many wine growing regions. Renting their living space from a farmer who grows grapes for a co-op vintner has afforded this couple an opportunity to see the Bible’s agricultural metaphors come alive.

There is a special edition wine sold by the vintner for which the grapes must be hand-picked. Though the machine is far better at sorting out the unusable grapes from the good ones, the hand-picked edition is considered choice wine!

The Bible books of Psalm, Deuteronomy, and Jeremiah all tell us that God’s mighty hand and His outstretched arm do His work for Him. He clearly does not need us to do His work in the world, yet do we realize that He desires to use us?

Do we understand that our work is valuable to Him?

We need not to fear that our work is imperfect. God knows our frame. He looks at the heart behind our efforts, and perhaps it is there where He reminds us that the work is ultimately His. Yet He rejoices to partner with us in it.

My husband and I learned a lot about partnering together on this trip. He made high-level decisions such as taking three weeks off from work, spending time away from our children and investing money to seek God’s will for our lives. Meanwhile, he gave me free reign to go to the places I felt God had placed on my heart. Places that would appear in my writing. Places with church groups who were willing to meet and pray with us, and where we could mutually encourage one another. My husband drove over 2,000 miles in a country that is roughly the size of Montana while I navigated. Sometimes things went awry or didn’t work out, yet he didn’t berate me about it. We just picked up and continued, having learned something.

As I continued to turn the metaphor of the hand-picked grapes over in my mind, I was reminded of how my children will not eat grapes that look a little funny. I’ve selected these grapes from the bunch, washed them and put them on a plate. I know they are fine, however, my child refuses to eat them. How many people are there out there whose lives could become sweet wine, but we are afraid to reach out to them, like my kids refusing the grapes that look funny?

How convicted I am that so often, we try to mold people into what we believe they should look like as Christians, or reject them if they don’t fit that mold. There have been times when I felt it was my duty to tell a person how to live, rather than trusting the Holy Spirit to speak to and convict them. Of course, it is important that new believers receive discipleship, but have we been overbearing and careless, actually driving people away from God rather than toward Him?

Have we been driven away ourselves, attending church from week to week but never truly feeling like we measure up to the standard?

Have we been reluctant to enter into a ministry to which God has called us, simply because the people are too rough, or come from the proverbial other side of the tracks?

This is where the Lord’s work comes in. It is not the standard of other Christians we should be striving for. It is perhaps not even the standard that is held out by our teachers. Although we deeply respect them, they get it wrong sometimes too. God desires to commune with us personally through His Word, for He alone sets the standard. God’s Holy Spirit is able to show us where we have erred, and to lead us back to the correct path.

God loves those who have strayed, those who are so rough that we are afraid to look at or touch them. It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. If God has called us to minister in a place where there are many who are sick, He will equip and protect us to do so.

Let’s Pray:

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for loving me as I am. Continue to make me more like You. I humbly ask You to open my heart further, so that I may consider where I might serve You in a way I haven’t thought of before. Help me love those whom I have been afraid to. Further, Lord, may it not be me alone. I pray for many laborers to be sent forth into Your vineyard throughout the world. I acknowledge that the work is ultimately Yours, but thank You that You have asked each of us to partner with You in that. We look forward to seeing Your work completed. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “I Will Go” (song) by Steve Green. Listen to it here.

~*~
Author Bio:

The only child of a single parent, Aubrey Taylor filled her younger years by creating characters and writing stories. This ended around age sixteen when music, friends and part-time jobs began to fill her time. After that came college, work, marriage, and children.

It wasn’t until the world was beginning to come out of the COVID pandemic that God led her back to her love for writing, coupled with a passion she’d always had for history. It was time to start a new adventure! Her current long-term project is Gott Mit Uns, a German-perspective 20th century historical fiction series.

Aubrey lives in Upstate New York with her husband and three children. She’s busy keeping the home, caring for her family, doing research for and writing her books.

Aubrey enjoys music and is involved with the worship ministry at her church as well as a German choral group. She also plays gigs occasionally with friends as a singer and acoustic guitarist. After all that, she finds time to sketch, craft, and hike.

She is a lover of Jesus Christ, The Holy Bible, history, German culture, tea, and cats.

Aubrey has a special heart for those who struggle with severe anxiety, depression and PTSD.

~*~
Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/

Devotionals for the Heart: A Spiritual Lesson Learned from farmers

Preparing for The Harvest
A devotional by Wade Webster

“But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” – Matthew 13:23 (NIV)

I spent a day driving in Kansas recently. There's quite a variety of terrain there, contrary to what certain movies show. Yes, there's a lot of wheat grown there. In fact, it was being harvested while I drove down the interstates. I wondered how many seeds were planted compared to the amount being collected. Old farm boys think about such things.

I had to be in Hays that evening so I could deliver first thing in the morning. The sun set as I drove up I-135. The clouds to the west were a long ways off as best as I could tell. Their tops were all I could see at first against the fading dusk. The crescent moon ducked behind them for a time only to poke its head back out briefly.

As the sky grew dark I witnessed and interesting phenomenon. There was lightning in those clouds that didn't reach the ground. I've seen this before. It's what's known as an electrical storm. One of the interesting things about these storms is that they seldom make rain. All of that churning in the atmosphere causes sparks but has no benefit for anyone.

Thunderstorms have many blessings attached to them. Not only do they drop rain to water the vegetation but the lightning also puts nitrogen into the water to aid in making plants green. Not so with electrical storms. They make flashes of light for witnesses to see and that's it.

It makes me think about the parable of the sower in Matthew 13. Seeds fall to the ground in several different soils. Most of the results are abysmal at best. The good soil is mentioned last in the story to show the desired result.

The wheat fields being harvested had been prepared well by the farmers to attain the results they were achieving. Weeds had been removed to assure the plants weren't starved of the nutrients being offered in the soil that was fertilized and tilled properly. Experience and hard work were paying off. These farmers didn't just talk about what needed to be done. They did it.

That electrical storm was all show with no results. I hope you aren't like that. Too many folks are. They talk a good talk but don't walk a good walk. They don’t put in the effort to make the necessary changes to bring lasting results for God's kingdom.

Reading the Bible is a good start but you must apply what you're learning to let it transform you. Once you change to become more like Jesus Christ, then amazing things will happen. People will notice something different about you. They'll be attracted to your behavior and grace. They'll ask you what your secret is. That's when the fruit will be harvested.

I pray that you have not already, you will become like the bountiful wheat fields I saw instead of the storm that dropped no rain.

~*~
Author Bio:

Wade Webster is a farm boy turned city slicker, heathen turned born-again Christian, truck driver turned writer doing his best to point folks to his best friend, Jesus Christ.

He currently lives in Plano, Texas.

Wade is the author of 100 Prayers of a Writer, a book that didn't begin as a book, just weekly prayers to a group of writer friends.

He enjoys spending time in nature, running for exercise and dark chocolate, though not necessarily in that order. Apart from driving 18-wheelers for a living he has a part-time job painting houses on the side...and the front and back and inside.

As a teenager, he told his friends he never wanted to be considered normal. So far he's done a pretty good job of living up to that aspiration.

Devotionals for the Heart: The Harvest

Sowing and Reaping
A devotional by Victoria Bylin

You know that Fall is in the air when social media platforms are full of references to pumpkin spice lattes. Those aren’t my favorite. I’m not a fan of pumpkin-anything, but I’m a huge fan of autumn weather, colorful leaves, crisp red apples, and the sense of completion that comes with this season of harvest.

The Bible talks about harvests, too. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” (Galatians 6:7 NIV)

It’s such a simple concept. What we plant is what grows in our lives. If we plant love, we reap love. Good habits lead to good results. There’s another truth at work here: We reap those benefits after we sow and often much later than we sow.

Those ripe apples I enjoy? They don’t ripen to perfection overnight. They need water, light, and healthy soil. So do the pumpkins for those lattes I could do without.

I, too, need water, light and good soil. The living water of the Word, the light of Christ’s love, and the good soil of faith.

Those seeds of love? Sometimes they lay dormant for months, even years, before circumstances change. Maybe you’re praying for family members to come to Christ (I am). Maybe you’re praying for a job that doesn’t put you through the wringer every day (been there and am there again). This season of waiting can be challenging, but it’s also when those our tiny little seeds are transformed into giant oaks.

We reap what we sow, but God multiplies our tiny efforts into something far more than we could ever generate on our own.

Not everything we sow is healthy. Galatians 6:8 (NIV) goes on to say: “Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Some seeds blow in like weeds. I know all about weeds because we live behind a farm for retired race horses. The weed battle is real. They would take over the back lawn if my husband didn’t tackle them on a regular basis.

Those bad weeds in our lives need the same kind of diligence. I love what comes next in Galatians 6:9. It reads, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

I’m a firm believer in grace. We can’t destroy the weeds in our strength, but we worship a Savior who has already won the battle for us. My challenge is to hang on tight to what Christ did on the cross. And like the verse says, in His time, we’ll enjoy the victory.

Let's Pray: Thank you, God for knowing what’s best and when it’s best. Help me to sow wisely, reap generously, and wait patiently.

~*~
Author Bio:

Victoria Bylin is the author of 18 traditionally published romances. Known for tackling difficult subjects with great compassion, she delights in stories that shine the spotlight of God’s love on ordinary men and women facing realistic challenges.

Writing has always been a part of Victoria’s life. As a child, she wrote hundreds of letters and scribbled in journals. As an adult, she worked as a freelance journalist and editor before taking on the challenge of fiction.

She had one goal when she started her first novel: to finish a book-length manuscript, good or bad. That first effort will never see the light of day, but it led to a second manuscript and a sale to Harlequin Historical. Since then, she has written westerns and contemporary romances for both mainstream and Christian publishers, with Together With You winning the 2016 Inspirational Readers Choice Award for Best Contemporary.

Writing is a joy and a challenge for Victoria, but faith, friends and family matter to her far more. She’s a wife, mom, proud grandmother, and a dog-mom to a wacky Jack Russell Terrier. Originally from California, she and her husband currently make their home in Lexington, Kentucky. When she’s not writing, Victoria enjoys long walks, travel, and dark chocolate.

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Connect with Victoria:
Website: https://www.victoriabylin.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Victoria.Bylin.Author
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VictoriaBylin
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/victoria-bylin
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/568102.Victoria_Bylin

Devotionals for the Heart: Temeka's thoughts on NOT giving up!

Be Not Weary
A devotional by Temeka Borden

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap,  

if we faint not.” – Galatians 6:9 (KJV)

I cannot say that each day for a Christian is easy, but being a follower of Christ is rewarding. As Christians, we have a wonderful opportunity to serve God and to serve others. Essentially, we are granted the chance to make an impact for the Lord and to lead souls to Jesus. However, any time the adversary (the devil) sees you helping to build the Kingdom of God, he will attempt to do anything possible to distract you.

I’m reminded of the prophets in the Bible and how they told the truth, whether some wanted to hear it or not. They suffered persecution because they prophesied what many chose to reject. I’m reminded of the apostles, and how they preached the gospel and endured hardship because they chose to spread the message of Jesus Christ. 

I’m reminded of Jesus! He came. He loved. He served. He ministered. He died and was resurrected so that we all could have the opportunity of gaining eternal life. Jesus endured constant criticism, mockery, torture, all of which led to his death. According to John 3:16, He paid a substantial price for our sins so that we might be saved. The Bible says in Romans 6:23 (KJV), “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Since we are followers of Jesus, we are not exempt from suffering persecution. The forms of persecution we suffer these days may be different than in the Bible days, but we must face many troubles for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

So what price have you paid? What form of persecution have you endured for choosing to follow Jesus? Is it mockery from your peers? Would it be missed opportunities on your job? Ridicule from people on social media? Criticism from family? Thinking back to some of the comments I have received from individuals who follow my pages on social media, I can tell you that occurrences such as what I described above are not uncommon. Know that you are not alone in your suffering!

Remain on the path God has placed you on. I know doing so can be difficult at times because the devil will often work through people and circumstances to try to discourage you. I know each day will not be easy. I know you may cry some nights, but remember that a reward awaits you for your faithfulness, and as stated in Galatians 6:9 (KJV), “…let us not be not weary in well doing, for in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not.”

In other words, continue doing what is good and pleasing in God’s eyesight, and you will be rewarded for not giving up, for staying true to the Lord, and for remaining in His will!

~*~

Author Bio:

Temeka Borden, better known by her pen name, Positivity Inspires, is an author, speaker, minister, and servant of the Lord. She was introduced to Christ at a very early age and was raised in the church. Her ministry focuses on encouraging Christians to love God first, to love all people, to continually strengthen their bond with Christ, and to study His Word, and live His Word daily. 

After recently experiencing what she describes as the "lowest point in her life," Positivity Inspires wrote the following about herself to serve as an encouragement and reminder of who she is in Christ:

"I am a child of God. He loves me unconditionally. Although I have my shortcomings, He has blessed me with a desire to do what is right. I have been blessed with many natural and spiritual gifts. I am an author. I am a speaker. I am a teacher. I am a runner. I am a drummer. I am a singer (when I’m in the mood), and I have a strong 'fashion sense.' I am loved. My family and friends are my heart, and I know they will support me no matter what. I am educated. I currently have two degrees (one of them a doctorate), and with God’s help, I will complete a third degree soon. I am a multi-state licensed medical professional who completed a specialty residency, which prepared me for the workforce (and made me a FORCE to be reckoned with). I am a leader. I have served in administrative roles and was successful in those positions because I made a difference (with God’s help). I am ambitious, and I know that with God, all things are possible. I know He is going to do great things through me."

Positivity Inspires loves God and she loves people. She strongly encourages others to show kindness, respect, and love to everyone. Positivity Inspires loves and welcomes diversity and flourishes in culturally diverse environments. She also is passionate about giving back to the community, and her favorite mantras are: "Speak Up!" and "Watch God Work!"

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Connect with Temeka:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/positivity_inspires/
Facebook - www.Facebook.com/positivityinspirespage
Twitter - https://twitter.com/PInspires/

Devotionals for the Heart: A harvest

Harvest of Righteousness
A devotional by Tammy Karasek

When I hear the word harvest, I immediately think of gathering something. Most assuredly, I see the farmers gathering up the fruits of their labor that are now ripe. Right now, near where I used to live in Ohio, farmers have been gathering their grain to store up for the winter to come.

When I read the following scripture, I had to stop and re-read it. It wasn’t saying what my normal thought of what a harvest would be. 

“And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” 

~James 3:18 (ESV)

A harvest of righteousness. This expression made me pause, wanting to understand it more clearly. I dug further, looking up the various definitions of both harvest and righteous and found this:

Harvest – to gain, win, acquire, or use; the result of an act.

Righteous – acting in an upright, moral way, virtuous.

Now as I read the Scripture (James 3:18), it meant something different. If I changed the wording a little (not changing the meaning), it taught me that we have a responsibility of harvesting righteousness. 

Hear me out … A harvest (or gain, acquiring) of righteousness (by acting in an upright, moral or virtuous way) is sown in peace by those who make peace. 

This got me thinking about how we treat others. Do we act righteously? Do we try to make peace? Or are we quick to critique others, or even attack them for their differences? As we head into this holiday season, the hustle and bustle of this time of year can sometimes raise our stress levels. We can become impatient, critical or snarky . . . anyone relate?

If we want others to treat us well, we need to do the same. When we do our best to make peace, I believe more peace will be seen in our surroundings. In other words, if you want more peace, you can gather or harvest it by sowing peace to those you have an opportunity to be with.

Might I suggest that as we head into this wonderful time of the year, we all strive to be harvesters of righteousness? That we make (and keep) peace with those we encounter by acting in an upright, moral or virtuous way each day. And yes, even with that cranky aunt you might get stuck sitting by at the Thanksgiving table this year!

Will you set out to be a harvester of righteousness with me?

~*~
Author Bio:

You’ll find Tammy seeing humor and causing laughter in every aspect of life. Her past, filled with bullying and criticism from family, is the driving force of her passion to always encourage others and give them The Reason to smile.

She’s been married to her college sweetheart, Larry, for 37 years, a mom to their grown daughter, Kristen and wrapped around the paw of a little dog named Hattie. Born and raised in Ohio, her family now resides in South Carolina.

She is the President of Word Weavers Upstate SC, member of ACFW and member of My Book Therapy/Novel Academy.

She’s the Blog Coordinator/Editor for Florida Christian Writers Conference, a contributor in the 2018 Divine Moments Compilation Book—Cool-inary Moments, a monthly contributor for HeartWingsblog.com and God is Love (capturingtheidea.blogspot.com).

~*~
Connect with Tammy:
Blog: http://www.tammykarasek.com
Email: tickledpinktammy@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: Nanci's thoughts on Springtime and CPR

Springtime: God's CPR

A devotional by Nanci Rubin

"While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease."~Genesis 8:22 (KJV)

In February, you’ll find me pouring through the Burpee seed catalogue in anticipation of spring planting as God makes preparation to perform CPR and revive the earth from its winter repose. Nothing excites me more than to see crocus as they emerge through the snow-covered earth and the unforgettable sweet aroma of lavender and pink Hyacinths heralding re-birth. Nature fulfilling God’s promise found in Genesis.

To me, gardening epitomizes seed time and harvest and brings scripture to life. After many years of planting my garden, I can safely say you reap what you sow. If I plant green beans, I don’t expect to harvest beets. It’s the same in our daily lives. What seed are you sowing? Envy? Strife? Mercy? Love? Forgiveness?

In spring, as the earth goes through re-birth, I am reminded of the ‘born-again’ experience. As my seedlings sprout, I remember what Jesus said in Matthew 13:4-8 about the sower sowing the seed.

“And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth, and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth. And when the sun was up, they were scorched, and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprung up and chocked them. But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.” ~Matthew 13:4-8 (KJV)

Interesting how the seed (Word) was sown in different types of soil. The soil makes all the difference in your garden. I cultivate the soil, add nutrients when needed. My seedlings without good soil won’t develop to their expected potential. It’s the same for us as new creations. God has called us. He has forgiven us, written His Word on our hearts and desires for us to grow. It is up to us to cultivate and guard the seed sown in our hearts.

After you’ve received Jesus in your heart, the enemy will come immediately to destroy that which has been sown. He’ll accuse you, remind you of your past, beat you down with his weapons of mass destruction, his attacks individualized as we tell him our fears. We talk too much. Social media has become the enemy’s new battleground.

Most of us have purchased indoor plants or outdoor scrubs. They all come with instructions on care, how we are to nourish them and keep them alive. God has done the same for us. He’s given us his instruction manual, His Word, the Bible. Read it. Let it water your soul, nourish your body and give you direction. It is the fertilizer you need to grow up in Him.

Last summer, I experienced an infestation of Japanese Beetles, of Biblical proportion. Nothing I used worked. I had to ‘hand pick’ every single one. It took me weeks. The beetle fiasco reminded me how we should never allow our hearts to become hardened and immune to the Word of God.

As I hand-picked those beetles, I thought about God’s Word and how much the enemy hates it. He desires to infest our minds with his lies, pulling at us so he can divert us from God’s plan. However, no matter what he says or does, the enemy can NEVER pluck you from God’s hand.

Your mistakes don’t cancel God’s plan in your life. He’s planted you in the orchard of His heart. You're the apple of His eye, and He loves you. Bloom where you’re planted.

~*~

Author Bio:

Nanci writes Inspy Amish romance. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and two fur kids, Romeo and Juliet, rescue cats. She is working on her debut novel, Plain Justice. 

She retired earlier than planned from nursing to care for her mother, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Her mom passed last year at the age of ninety-nine and Nanci has delved more into her writing.

She is active in an intercessory prayer ministry in her church, belongs to The Woman’s Club, a service-oriented volunteer organization dedicated to the welfare and enrichment of the community and volunteers two days a week at the Mary Washington Museum.

Currently, she's enrolled in Rhema Bible College’s correspondence Bible studies. She belongs to ACFW and RWA. When she’s not working, reading or writing she’s hiking with her husband at Shenandoah National Park.

14 Days of Sweet Stories: "Harvest Blessings" by Christina Lorenzen

Interview with Christina Lorenzen, author of Harvest Blessings:

Alexis: What’s the significance of your story’s title, Harvest Blessings?

Christina: Well, it’s harvest season for the family apple orchards and unbeknownst to Tacy and Brody, they are both blessed when they come together for a common cause–picking the apples to help fund the church preschool. Not only does the preschool benefit, but they both learn to trust and open their hearts.

Alexis: Tell us about your story’s heroine Tacy Clark. Why did you make her a musician? What are her greatest joys and deepest sorrows? 

Christina: As I was creating Tacy, I had watched a story on television about the amazing time and work that goes into the making of a violin. That stayed with me and like a flash of light I knew that Tacy was going to play one. Her uncle blessed her with the violin that led to her love of music.

Alexis: What brings Tacy back home to Hill Top Orchards? Why did she leave in the first place? Now what makes her want to stay? 

Christina: Tacy gets an email ‘from her aunt’ asking her to come home and help with the orchards. It raises her suspicion because she knows her aunt doesn’t have a computer nor keep up with technology. But because she hasn’t been home in a number of years, she has to check for herself. She’s also propelled by the guilt of not having come home to help her aunt when her uncle was ill and eventually went to be with the Lord.

Going back to her love of music, Tacy left the orchards and the small town of Hill Top to pursue a career in music, hopefully to play in a large orchestra in New York City. The last thing she was expecting was the pull to stay in her childhood home but between her growing affection for both Brody and his daughter, and the new growth in her relationship with her aunt, she desires to make a life in her old hometown.

Alexis: Tell us about your story’s hero Brody Porter. What are his greatest strengths? What are his worst weaknesses? Why is he important to telling this story? 

Christina: Brody is a devoted dad. I’d say his greatest strength is his desire to protect his daughter and give her the very best life he can as a single dad. His worst weakness is that because of the experience he had with Cami’s mother, his ex-wife, he now judges all women in show business as the same as his ex. He’s an important character not only because he is the love interest for Tacy but because he is responsible for bringing Tacy and her aunt together.

Alexis: What is the significance of harvesting apples for the annual festival in this story? Why do the fictional town people look forward to this event? 

Christina: For many years the harvesting of the apples from Hill Top Orchard was a significant event because the funds from the apples went to the church or another need in the small town. Beyond that, the annual festival is one of the biggest events in town and the people in town look forward to as a way to socialize and celebrate their community.

Alexis: What role does Brody’s 4-year-old daughter Cami play in this story? What is Brody’s relationship with her Mom? 

Christina: Cami is a precocious adorable little girl that softens Tacy’s heart. In Cami Tacy is reminded of her own childhood, something she may not have thought had she not met Cami. Like Cami, Tacy lost her mother at a very young age and they share that common bond. When Cami’s mom leaves, she cuts all ties not only with Brody but with her daughter, a deep wound for Brody. 

Alexis: What is it about Tacy that makes Brody consider taking another shot at love? 

Christina: Because Brody is a protector, he is drawn to Tacy’s vulnerable personality. As he sees how much Cami likes Tacy he begins to open up to getting to know her. 

Alexis: What is it about Brody that attracts Tacy to him? Explain. 

Christina: Tacy’s sweetest memories as a child were those she shared with her Uncle Jerry who was like the father she never had. As Tacy gets to observe Brody with Cami, she finds herself taken with his fathering skills and his deep, unconditional love for his daughter.

Alexis: Why do Tacy and Brody need each other? 

Christina: Tacy needs someone that will care for her and make her feel her future is secure, something she hasn’t gotten on her own. Brody needs a woman first and foremost who will love his daughter and prove she is trustworthy.

Alexis: What do you want your readers to learn from this story? 

Christina: I think when I wrote the story I wanted to share with readers that when it comes to family sometimes we don’t know everything we think we do, as Tacy found out about Aunt Ruby. And that if we open our hearts and trust we can find the love we so need.

Alexis: Who is your favorite character in this story? Why? 

Christina: Though I am fond of all of the characters and hated to end the story, I do have to say my favorite was sweet little Cami. She was so much fun.

Alexis: Complete this sentence: When I was writing Harvest Blessings, I craved ________________________ because _________________________.

Christina: When I was writing Harvest Blessings, I craved being out in the country air because it brings me such peace.

Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Christina! God bless you.

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Author bio:

Christina Lorenzen started writing as a young teen, jotting stories in wire ring composition notebooks. Her first typewriter made it faster to get all those stories out of her head and down on paper. Her love of writing has sustained her through a myriad of jobs that included hairdresser, legal secretary, waitress and door-to-door saleswoman. 

Luckily for her, writing proved to be successful and a lot less walking than going door to door. Harvest Blessings, a sweet small town romance, is Christina's fourth book. She is also the author of A Husband for Danna, its sequel, A Wife for Humphrey and her recent Christmas release, Snow Globe Reunion. She is busy working on a modern retelling of the classic tale, Rapunzel. 

When she isn't writing or reading, she can be found walking her dog, talking to her herd of cats and spending time with her family.

To find out about Christina's upcoming releases, visit her website at http://christinalorenzen.com/.

Subscribe to Christina's newsletter and be entered automatically each month to win a $5 Amazon gift card at http://christinalorenzen.com/connect-with-christina

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Blurb for Harvest Blessings: Professional musician Tacy Clark hasn’t been back home to Hill Top Orchards since the death of her beloved Uncle Jerry. When she gets an email from her aunt, the guilt she’s been feeling since her uncle’s death forces her to make the trip back home.. When her car breaks down, a ride from her aunt’s neighbor, Brody Porter, is the beginning of a roller coaster of emotions, as Tacy is forced to deal with guilt and the pain of never having known her mother. 

Intending to stay only as long as it takes to harvest the apples for the annual festival and be free from guilt, Tacy is determined not to get involved with Brody Porter and his little girl Cami.

Brody Porter was burned by his estranged wife, Carrie Ann, a struggling actress, who came into his life during a lull in her career and then left him alone to raise their daughter, four year old Cami. He’s vowed never to play the knight in shining armor again. His only interest in Tacy Clark is making sure she gets those apples harvested for the town's annual festival. Without that harvest, the festival might not raise enough funds for the church preschool. Without a place for Cami to go every day he won't be able to put the time he needs into his livelihood, his coffee shop, Brews & Bites.

Tacy Clark and Brody Porter are both determined to get what they want and go their own ways. Will the sweet scent of apples and a harvest moon soften the hearts of two people who need each other more than they know?

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Buy Christina's book on Amazon

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Connect with Christina:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/chrisfoxlorenz/
Facebook Author page - https://m.facebook.com/ChristinaLorenzenAuthor/
Website - http://christinalorenzen.com
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/christina_lorenzen/

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