Seasons

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;  Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

The seasons are changing here in the Midwest.  The days are getting shorter and the temperatures are getting cooler.  The leaves on the trees are changing colors and falling to the ground.

It is time to clean out the garden bed.  We learned a lot with this garden and we are already planning some changes for next year.  Fewer tomato and pepper plants will need to be purchased, since we had to actually remove some plants so there was room for growth.  Green beans will be planted instead of carrots and leaf lettuce will replace the head lettuce. 

The main purpose of planting our garden was to share with others and it was amazing the amount of produce we received from a garden that was 5 feet wide and 8 feet long.  It was truly a blessing from God and not gardening expertise on our part.

We enjoyed fresh vegetables at our dinner table but the joy we received when we were able to fill a box with tomatoes, peppers and carrots and deliver them to the local mission surpassed everything else. 

I am so thankful I have the opportunity to serve the Lord by giving to others.  I have been so blessed to have others give to me when I was in need, I can't imagine not helping others.  I am blessed.

My husband proof read this for me and the first thing he said was "Where is the hymn?" and immediately I thought of  "There Shall Be Showers of Blessings", written in 1883.

There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.

Refrain:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.

 

There shall be showers of blessing,
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.

There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing,
Come, and now honor Thy Word.

There shall be showers of blessing:
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

There shall be showers of blessing,
If we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
If we let God have His way.

My dear husband says "Now it is done." 

The Kitchen Radio

When I think back to my growing up years it seems like it's the little things that bring back fond memories.

One of those 'little things' would be our kitchen radio.  The first kitchen radio I remember was cream colored with a dial that you turned to bring in the station and a dial for the volume.  It didn't have a clock or an alarm.  It was just a regular radio.  It sat on the counter in our kitchen and was turned on every morning to a local AM  station.

We could tell what time it was by what was being announced.  It would be local news, national news, the farm report and the weather report.  I remember on days when the weather was bad I would listen carefully to the school cancellations, hoping school would be cancelled.

On Saturdays, the kitchen radio would be on to the same station but that was the day people would call in recipes to share.  There was also a certain time people could call in to buy, sell or trade items they no longer needed.

When Sunday came the kitchen radio would be on while we were getting ready for church and the programming would be Christian based.  I specifically remember the theme song to one of the programs being "Tell Me the Story of Jesus." This hymn was written by Fannie Crosby, who wrote thousands of hymns and poems during her lifetime, and it has a special place in my heart.
 
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how the angels in chorus,
Sang as they welcomed His birth.
“Glory to God in the highest!
Peace and good tidings to earth.”

Refrain

Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.

 

Fasting alone in the desert,
Tell of the days that are past.
How for our sins He was tempted,
Yet was triumphant at last.
Tell of the years of His labor,
Tell of the sorrow He bore.
He was despised and afflicted,
Homeless, rejected and poor.

Refrain

 

Tell of the cross where they nailed Him,
Writhing in anguish and pain.
Tell of the grave where they laid Him,
Tell how He liveth again.
Love in that story so tender,
Clearer than ever I see.
Stay, let me weep while you whisper,
Love paid the ransom for me.

I am so thankful for the people, that God placed in my life, that took the time to tell me the story of Jesus. 

The Sunday school teachers that took time out of their week to study the Word of God and prepare the weekly lesson they would teach.  The pastors that would spend hours studying and preparing messages.  These are people that had a direct influence in my life and my relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Then there are people like Fanny Crosby who passed away long before I was born but have influenced my life with the music she wrote about Jesus. 

God has blessed me greatly with many people in my life that loved Him and showed that love to me.  I pray I can do the same for others.

I am also thankful for the memories I have of the kitchen radio and the Sunday morning hymns.