The Silver Harvest

When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. ‘What a huge harvest!’ he said to his disciples. ‘How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!’

(Matt. 9:36–38; The Message)

The Holy Spirit has drawn my attention to seniors who have more time for personal development activities such as studying English. Looking out over Japan, my heart is broken by the sadness and confusion of working people who sicken and sometimes die of overwork before they can be reached with the gospel.

Our monthly international potluck and Bible discussion attracts a wide age range—from people in their 20s to seniors. We recently have had an 82-year-old and 72-year-old in regular attendance. Naturally, each seems encouraged to see another senior present, and yet they eagerly enter into the lives of our younger members during our sharing time.

Sato-san is one of those seniors. She stands out in our neighborhood because she always wears a kimono as she walks up and down our steep street several times a day. One day this spring she saw me working in my yard and stopped to chat. Our conversation touched on the holiday children’s parties I’ve been holding since moving to this neighborhood in 2001. Sato-san said, “I’d like to help!” “Sure!” I said, always glad for extra hands to help with the Bible stories in Japanese, crafts and refreshments. A quick schedule check revealed that the children’s parties probably weren’t going to work out for her. However, she did start coming to the potlucks, bringing delicious homemade Japanese dishes.

Over the summer, I learned why Sato-san walks up and down our street so often: she teaches shamisen (traditional Japanese lute) and flower arranging, sings in two choirs, volunteers as a crossing guard for school children, and much more! Having attended a Christian kindergarten, she has no resistance to the Bible, and freely joins in the after-dinner Bible discussions at the potlucks. Furthermore, she draws out newer, younger members in a way I have not been able to. Although I speak, read, and write Japanese, I don’t expect to be able to relate to Japanese people as smoothly and naturally as one of their own. I am so grateful that God has brought someone with Sato-san’s wisdom, experience, care, and spunk into my life.

The other day I went to Sato-san’s house with a head count for Sunday’s potluck and to explain about an Indian dance class I had invited her to join—to watch, if not to participate. She confessed that she’s reached her limit on activities, and we agreed that we could both use a rest that night, instead of a dance. I had been starting to see Sato-san as an invincible role model for aging vigorously; I now realize that she faces some of the same issues my working friends and I do—issues of over-commitment and limited physical capacity. I guess there’s no permanent escape from the trap of letting the good become the enemy of the best.

I see a chance to walk with Sato-san through an important phase of her life. Six years ago she lost her husband; her varied activities have given her relief from her loneliness and loss. However, I’m yet to find a time to study the Bible with her. She has commitments most Thursday mornings, so we haven’t seen her at our Bible Discovery Group yet. My hope is that we can discuss our respective life situations, taking into consideration the natural limitations of our aging bodies, then pare down our schedules.

I hope to show up more often for the really important events of Kingdom value, like intercessory prayer. To do that, I need to let go of some meetings and other activities which have served their purpose for a long time, but which are now getting in the way of spending time with precious people like Sato-san. I would love to welcome her, either to Bible Discovery Group or to a private study of our own. Ultimately, I pray that she can find her rest in the Good Shepherd of the wandering sheep, slow down to enjoy the still waters of His presence, and mentor others to do the same.

Let’s get down on our knees and then rise up to welcome the silver harvest that is all around us!