Sow with a generous hand;
pause not for toil or pain;
weary not through the heat of summer,
weary not through the cold spring rain;
But wait till the autumn comes
for the sheaves of golden grain.
Sow, while the seeds are lying
in the warm earth's bosom deep;
and your warm tears fall upon it,
they will stir in their quiet sleep;
And the green blades rise the quicker,
perchance for the tears you weep.
Then sow, for the hours are fleeting
and the seed must fall today;
And care not what hands shall reap it
or if you have passed away
before the wavering cornfields
shall gladden the sunny day.
Sow, and look onward, upward,
while the starry light appears,
Where in spite of the coward's doubting
or your own heart's trembling fears,
you shall reap in joy the harvest
you have sown today in tears.
(from In Love With The Divine Outcast, compiled by A Religious, Pelligrini, Australia, 1934, pp. 170-171)
Painting: Fendi der saemann
Beautiful poem. I can remember being a person unable to identify with the sentiments in those words. That I should sew in tears and reap rejoicing? As of the last 3-4 years, I get it!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!! In all ways. I love the colors in this painting and his boots. The makeshift,sling seed bag is a wonderful detail. What a great title "In Love With The Divine Outcast." Thank you for posting Nancy! God Bless...
ReplyDelete"They go out, they go out full of tears, carrying seed for the sowing. They come back, they come back full of song, carrying the sheaves." (Some Psalm, but I'm too lazy to check, especially since Bible Gateway is difficult to manage without having verses memorized exactly or knowing the translation.)
ReplyDeleteI'm learning lately how much I have to press on and fight to follow God's will. It's not an easy lesson, and it's certainly not fully learned yet, but I think it's one of those that take a lifetime.
Jamie, now I get it too. Some of the sowing has been genuinely tough, and the rejoicing can seem so far off... but I catch glimpses, and by the grace of God have faith that the time of reaping will come.
ReplyDeleteCynthia, I see more and more in this painting the longer I look at it. And the colors are so vibrant!
Christina, it is certainly taking all of MY lifetime so far (which is a substantial chunk by now :)!).
Thanks to all!
Nancy,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this poem!
Then sow, for the hours are fleeting
and the seed must fall today;
And care not what hands shall reap it
or if you have passed away.
Yes!
Thanks so much, Sue!
Delete