Harvesting Joy After the Storm

In my experience, life’s storms frequently come without warning. They’re the moments when the rug gets yanked out from beneath us, and suddenly, everything familiar vanishes. These storms—whether it’s a devastating trauma, soul-crushing diagnosis, or global crisis—can leave us feeling like we’ll never make it through. But after every storm can come a season of growth, a harvest, and joy—if we play our cards right.

For me, the storm came in the form of my husband Reggie’s death. His sudden passing shattered my world, and I found myself struggling to pick up the pieces. Regardless of the nature of the storm, the common thread is this: we all experience seasons where it feels like a storm has stripped everything away. We feel vulnerable, disoriented, and uncertain about the path forward.

Yet even in life’s storms, God is at work. It’s hard to see when the winds are howling, and the rain is pouring, but seeds are planted during that storm. God’s creative process is ongoing, even when everything feels barren. I learned firsthand about God working during the storm, and I want to share it with anyone who feels like the storms of life have uprooted them.

Sowing Seeds in the Middle of the Storm

One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is that even in life’s darkest moments, we’re still sowing seeds. Every small act of faith, every prayer whispered through tears, every step forward—even when it feels impossible—is a seed.

During the season after Reggie’s passing, I found myself clinging to God, even when I couldn’t hear Him. The Bible teaches us the principle of sowing and reaping: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9). So, I had to trust that the seeds I was planting—my prayers, my healing, my faith—would one day bring forth fruit.

The Joy of the Harvest

The beauty of the harvest is that it doesn’t arrive all at once—it grows gradually, often when we least expect it. For me, small moments of joy and peace began to blossom in my life—laughter shared with friends, a renewed sense of purpose, and a deepening connection with God. Each seemed like a tiny seed at first, but together, they created a beautiful harvest of healing and growth.

It isn’t easy or painless, but each time you trust God and move forward, you’re planting seeds for a brighter tomorrow. So, if you find yourself in a storm, remember that your steps forward are well-spent.

My harvest was the moment I realized I’d survived the storm. It was when I knew that the seeds of faith I’d sown in my darkest moments had finally borne fruit.

There’s something incredibly sweet about harvesting your fruit. It’s not just the satisfaction of reaching a goal; it’s the deep, abiding joy that comes from knowing you didn’t quit. The sweetness is amplified because of the struggle and the times when you thought you wouldn’t make it.

Finding Joy in Your Harvest

Maybe you’re in the middle of your own storm right now, and the idea of a harvest feels distant. I get it—it’s hard to believe in the sweetness of fruit when all you see is barren soil. But I want to encourage you: keep sowing. Keep trusting. God is faithful. He will bring forth a harvest in your life.

So take heart. The storm won’t last forever. The soil may be rough now, but it’s fertile ground for growth. And when the harvest comes, you’ll taste the sweetness of God’s faithfulness, just as I have.

Now, as I stand on the other side of that storm, I can say with confidence that the harvest is worth the wait. I hope my story and the lessons I’ve shared will inspire you to keep going, sowing, and trusting. Your harvest is coming, and when it arrives, it’ll be sweeter than you ever imagined.