Today I spent hours in the strawberry patch.

From a quick look ripe berries showed, but only a few. Was it worth picking? But it was time to pick. Do I go by my eyes or the pattern of harvest?

I chose to start picking, though some, no doubt, would have trusted their eyes and waited for another day.

As I picked I took the time to pull weeds. When I have my nose deep in the patch looking for fruit the weeds, especially where their roots sprout from, loom as monsters in the heart of the harvest.

The type of strawberries we planted spread quickly. Eventually I began pulling the plants that were in the space between the rows. Most didn’t have fruit, but even some that had unripe fruit had to go. Otherwise the whole process of picking becomes too difficult.

Ripe and unripe strawberries

Ripe and unripe strawberries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So, weeds and excess plants fly out. Berries go in the basket.

Was it worth picking? Which source truly expressed the condition of the patch, eyes or growth pattern, the promise of production we have learned?

Well, the basket filled after only two rows. After two more rows even more berries had found their way into the house. It took three tries and several hours to collect the harvest.

Despite the netting we place over the patch some berries still had signs of bird bite. The slugs, new to the patch this year, swarmed the produce undeterred by any bird netting. Still, the crop exceeded expectation.

This after a spring drought that threatened the harvest completely. Thanks to the water sprinkler and a long hose that problem was remedied.

So, the berries hidden deep among the leaves, unnoticed under the canopy of greenery, justified the decision to harvest. The pattern of harvest, like a promise from Creator, stands as a better source than mere senses. “He provides food for those who fear him. He always remembers his promise” (Psalm 111:5 God’s Word).

When in doubt, trust the One who makes all things to grow. What you see, or think you see, will not stand the test unless you act carefully with the One who sees what we cannot.

“God does not see as humans see. Humans look at outward appearances, but the Lord looks into the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7b God’s Word).