Sheaves of Joy

Sheaves of Joy…

What does it mean? It sounds a bit abstract. And it is. I am abstract. Therefore that which I think is abstract…and that which I write. But the title of this blog does actually have a story behind it. This isn’t just random words thrown together and protected simply because the music they made in my ears sounded pleasant.

A few years ago, in 2000 to be exact, God graciously led me to India for the very first time. Although He had been preparing my heart for many years, this was to be my very first glimpse, my very first taste of that beautiful country. But before I could reach India, I to stop in Texas to receive training in sharing Jesus with the people of India. As I stood in that auditorium in Texas, surrounded by thousands of others preparing to minister in countries all around the globe, all fellow believers lifting their voices in praise and thanksgiving, worship and intercession, I could not hold back the tears.

Most people who know me have seen me cry. But few have seen me cry the way I cried that night. Desperation. Heartache. Hope. Desire. Anguish. Compassion. Fulfillment of dreams. All these things and more were surging through my soul. The sweet whisper God had spoken to me when I was nine years old was about burst open, tranforming from bud to flower. The people I had been called to minister to were closer than ever before. The tears came. And they didn’t stop. For over an hour I cried, my small frame shaking as I pleaded with the Lord for wisdom and thanked Him for this loving opportunity and praised Him for His goodness and faithfulness. And as I wept and prayed, I felt a hand rest on mine for a brief moment, offering a bit of tangible comfort, compassion, protection, and understanding…and a small bit of paper pressed into my palm.

When at last the tears faded away I opened my hand to reveal what had been clutched within. That small, precious piece of paper simply read, “read Psalm 126:5-6.”

I opened my Bible and turned to the verses indicated, finding there the following beautiful words:

“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.”

I still have that little piece of paper and keep it tucked into my Bible where I can be reminded of Abba’s faithfulness to fulfill His promises. The words of those verses etched themselves into my soul and carried me into India not only that year, but many years since, with a hope and expectancy for the harvest of the Lord. A harvest that begins with prayer…and many tears…and ends with a harvest. Sheaves of joy.