HARVEST

2017 was an insanely dynamic year with all its twist, turns and jaw dropping moments. We can’t forget about the experiences in 2017 that stunned pop culture and shook the very foundation of our American way of living. From Donald Trump becoming the 45th, well...you know...to Beyoncé giving birth to twins, I don’t know if anyone else shares the same sentiments, but I truly feel like I saw it all in 2017. Hennything is possible out here kids. Cardi B went from a stripping, Love and Hip Hop break out star to a millionaire, household name. Donald Trump’s administration wrecked American families with his cabinets aggressive change to DACA. All the while, our hearts were breaking after the tragic events that claimed dozens of lives during the mass shooting in Las Vegas.

Although, in the midst of the constant change in our worldly lives, something that never changes and someone who is never surprised by the fickleness of his children is, God almighty. 2017 was another year of sowing for me. I knew I was sowing seeds that would continue to flourish into beautiful, fruit bearing trees in the future. God finally brought me to my harvest towards the end of the year. How often are we given the blessing of the harvest, yet under estimate the work that goes into reaping the crop? 

In 2018, I want to keep an unshakably, grateful focus on the beauty of life, and where God is taking me. New levels mean new expectations and responsibilities. A harvest represents so much more to me in this season of my life. Not just because the new year has arrived, trust me this is NOT about provoking an emotional response. Rather, the harvest is symbolic for the shearing, and the reaping of the beautiful fruit that God produced through me in 2017. Harvesting the lessons from the choices that I made, the wisdom that God gave, and the growth that transpired within me, is what I take along with me into 2018. I’ll definitely be using this fruit throughout the new year. Reaping the fruit brings forth flashbacks of the time I spent in 2017 planting the seeds. I had no idea that the season of planting last year would have led me to the harvest that is ready for reaping today. 

I had the pleasure of attending a vision board party at the close of 2017. Magazines were scattered, with scissors and blank boards, awaiting to be adorned with all of our goals for the new year. Even with all the poster board making supplies in the world, and and a plethora of magazines to choose from, I still, had to take the time and think about all of the wisdom I had gained from my sowing and growing seasons in 2017, before I could even begin to set a vision for the new year. 

Today is the first day of 2018. If you are reading this, you are so blessed. How quickly we allow ourselves to forget all of the lives that were lost to gun violence from our police departments and fellow man. We lost a young woman's life to a car in Charlottesville, and I'm sure if you took the time to think about it, you unfortunately know someone who lost a loved one. We’ve got to keep our hearts grateful in the time of harvest. Others are forced to glean the fields, never allow yourself to forget that. 

So join me. Strap on your boots, lace up your shoes. Put your grown woman panties on and let’s head out to our gardens of knowledge and realization. Begin this new year with me, by harvesting the lessons and wisdom from 2017. Revisit those trying moments of the past year. Pick the bad fruit, observe it, focus on your plan to sow different seeds in 2018, and let it fall. Fall away from your conscience. Leave the rotten crops of guilt, shame, and insecurities in 2017. Walk down the bountiful rows of the garden in your heart, and revisit the beautiful moments of the past year. Harvest the fruits that bare growth, joy, and better understanding. Review the lessons and wisdom that you gained. Acknowledgement is required during the harvest. We are faced with OUR fruit, that grew from the seeds that WE planted in 2017.

Commit to the work that the harvest brings, and count it all joy as you acknowledge the fruit your seeds produced. Keep your focus on the beauty in the midst of the harvest and ready your seeds  for the future planting to come.