“For the fruit of all creation, thanks be to God.
(ELW 679 “For the Fruit of All Creation”)
For these gifts to every nation, thanks be to God.
For the plowing, sowing, reaping, silent growth while we are sleeping,
future needs in earth’s safe-keeping, thanks be to God.”
These are Michigan strawberries, grown along “The Ridge” in Kent County. The Ridge is a special geographical feature that makes this high area, with just the right soil and proximity to Lake Michigan, some of the best fruit-growing land in the country. With the arrival of the strawberries, the delicious cycle has begun. Within days, the sweet cherries will be ready, followed by raspberries and blueberries. Then come the peaches, pears and that long, lovely season of so many different kinds of apples!
These strawberries, like the local strawberries near you, almost seem like a completely different fruit than the strawberries we can buy at the grocery store year-round. There are many reasons for this, which I will not go into. Today I want to simply rejoice in the excellence of God’s good work. For the fruit of all creation, thanks be to God!
+BJST