I love fall! The long days of summer are very hot and humid. Suddenly, you notice when you step outside there is a cool gentle breeze blowing in your face. Seemingly overnight the leaves on the trees begin to turn from deep green to a bright gold or tantalizing red. I find myself longing to visit, once again, the high mountainsides where the color is so beautiful it takes your breath.

But, I live in cotton country. The land is flat and crops grow for miles and miles. Farmers say the beans and rice have produced exceptionally well this year yielding many more bushels per acre than ever before.

Capturing my attention as I drove down the highway today was field after field of snowy white cotton. The rows were long and the stalks of cotton stood high with their bolls opened wide ready to be gathered. What I was viewing was a sharp contrast to the barrenness of that same land just a few short months ago. This fall the Lord has truly poured down His blessings on the farmers. They will in turn take the bountiful yields from their crops and market them around the world.

Sometimes our growing strong and becoming fruitful for God is often preceded by a journey through barren times. Yet, if we see our adversities as opportunities to experience God's faithfulness, we too can yield much fruit for Him. If you are walking through your own valley today, stay close to God through the tears. Enjoy spending time with Him. Acknowledge the greatness of our wonderful Lord knowing there are better days ahead. Continue to walk with Him, and ask Him to give you a fresh touch of His love.

Soon your barren winter will have progressed through the growing summer days and you will discover the harvest time of fall has arrived!

It doesn't matter if you live in the mountains with their brilliant leaves and berry red fruits, or the flatlands that produce bountiful crops, God desires to pour down His blessings from heaven to you. Receive them today.