For thousands of years humans spent their short-lived existence as hunters and gatherers. The ebb and flow of the seasons was their unwritten calendar. Large animals kept marching forward to greener “pastures.” So, we followed. Somewhere along this ancient timeline was a budding horticulturist with a curiosity of green growing things. Most likely what happened was they experienced tired feet and were really poor at shooting a bow and arrow. Hunger is a great motivator.
“Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness, Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve; Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping, We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves,”
So what is it about this time of year that stirs up a new joy? For some a reprieve after an extended spell of unrelenting heat and dry weather. Maybe it’s the palette of earthly colors changing from the vivid hues of summer to the jeweled tones of ruby and gold. Or even a time of rest, looking forward to settling in with the comfort of friends and family as the chill of autumn brings us indoors.
“Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows, Fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze; By and by the harvest, and the labor ended, We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves,”
For some, there is an air of sadness to fall. Despite the glory and abundance of life from the harvest we know as the colors change and the leaves drop, all appears to have died. The energy has been spent to meet our needs. What remains unseen is left to rest and begin a new for another day, another season.
“Going forth with weeping, sowing for the Master, Though the loss sustained our spirit often grieves; When our weeping is over, He will bid us welcome,”
The four seasons, Winter – Spring – Summer – and Fall each have a unique quality. Whatever the sentiment, many share the statement, “ Fall is the best time of the year!” We have paged through many a printed calendar since our hunter-gatherer era. The ebb and flow of the seasons will continue to make a mark upon our lives. Who knows what “seed” will be added next as we march forward in time.
“We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.”
Lyric excerpts from ‘Bringing in the Sheaves,’ by the Mills Brothers
