The crop ripened, unobserved.
At last, it was noticed, and the effort made
To harvest the fruit, now ready and ripe.
The work, overwhelming; the helpers, few;
No time to lose with such a big job to do.
Already, some past it’s prime,
Some of the fruit now withered and dried;
Rotted and worthless, it’s tossed away…
What if it were noticed the previous day?

Jesus came, and the crop was ripe,
So plentiful, in need of His words of life.
The work, overwhelming; His helpers, few;
No time to waste, so much to do.
Already many having moved beyond this world,
He opened a door and gave new hope.

Today, the crop continues to be ripe,
Each new generation needing words of life.
So many unnoticed as we move our own ways,
Some younger, some farther along in their days.
Unaware, we may leave them to wither and die;
Unobservant, we miss the signs
Of a plentiful harvest; workers, few…
Lord, open our eyes to the job we must do.

ADW 2007