We have a forager who last season didn't end well with him.
He ghosted us with a balance due, sizeable enough, a write-off that had a sting at the time.
So when he came knocking to pick again this year, we had a choice to make - do we let him back or not?
When called on his behaviour, he was repentant, made no excuses, and he said he'd fix it. I passed this on to the kids to pray about and reply back.
Within five seconds, Fin said, "I prayed and God told me to bring him back." There was a quick consensus.
Show the fella grace and mercy. That easy, he's in.
In meeting with him, I/Ryan explained how this was the will of the kids, and Jesus, and we were glad to have him back.
I shared how merciful God is to us. I told him how I pray to know how to be like Boaz, who, when he walks into the fields and blesses the workers, they bless him back. A man who left the edges of his fields for the poor and used his inheritance to adopt the widow and the orphan.
Thank you Jesus for these abundant Chadds Ford hills. Thank you for old-growth trees with deep roots and for situating us on a solid rock, literally a hill of granite. You are the cornerstone of humanity, a blessed rock of salvation. Indeed, too, our rocks flow with living water from deep springs and tangible fruits. Every tree, every person, is clearly known by their fruits. (Matthew 7:16-20).
May God bless you and release in you a childlike spirit on whichever hills you inhabit, and open your eyes to the great gifts around you, both underfoot and in Jesus.
RD