So be patient, brethren, [as you wait] till the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits expectantly for the precious harvest from the land. [See how] he keeps up his patient [vigil] over it until it receives the early and late rains. James 5:7

The songbirds welcomed a crew of hearty folks to the Warm Beach Horsemanship pastures as preparations were made to bring in a bountiful hay harvest. Volunteers gathered and created a crew of loaders, lifters, stackers, and drivers. Cooperation, teamwork, fellowship, and muscle contributed to the effort. The Lord brought cool breezes and held off the sprinkling rain until all 615 bales of hay were loaded, transported and put up in the barn.

This is the first year in a very long while (if not ever) Warm Beach Horsemanship has completed a hay harvest. Usually the grass each summer is mowed and left in the field. As a consideration of stewarding God’s provision most effectively this year, contact was made with a local hay cutter who split the yield of the field with Warm Beach Camp in a barter for payment of service. It was a win-win-win! The cost savings for not paying wages to mow the fields, not needing to purchase local grass hay and utilizing something the Lord has given was worth the effort!

James 5:7 reminds me to patiently wait upon the Lord. His provision, guidance, care and help is available. There was something comforting about the gathering of souls, united in a task that was hard physical work, but also incredibly emotionally rewarding. We worked toward the common goal of bringing the sweet smelling bounty into the barn, so God’s herd of horses would have feed throughout the winter. This brought me great satisfaction. The patient vigil of the tangible harvest of hay paints a picture in my mind of the seeds planted this summer during the Horsemanship activities through riding lessons, therapeutic horsemanship classes, and two weeks of horse day camp. We patiently wait for the rain to water the seeds planted so that a precious harvest will be ready.

The earth has yielded its harvest [in evidence of God’s approval]; God, even our own God, will bless us. Psalm 67:6

Our prayer is united; Warm Beach Horsemanship is God’s program, His plan, His purpose. On earth as it is in heaven. We receive His blessing, grace, and mercy. Thank you Father for your generous provision. You are so very good. Amen.

-Ginger Reitz, Assistant Horsemanship Director,
Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center