Fallow: land plowed but not planted; land that is resting, waiting; derived from a word for “pale skin”
We have had so much winter this year in Arkansas thanks to El Nino, the tropical condition whereby warmer than usual ocean waters in tropical zones affect temperate regions in unusual ways—for the Southeast USA it is colder than normal temperatures in the winter (by goofing up the normal position of the Jet Stream) and wetter than normal precipitation (warm oceans mean moist air). Our last snow was exactly three weeks ago. And yet, today, in a parking lot, I saw a pile of snow that was about three-and-a-half feet tall and nine feet wide. Still there after 3 weeks because of our extra cool temps. Now they are predicting more snow or sleet on Friday.
Like many fellow Arkansans, I’m ready for spring, when nature awakens from its slumber. And yet, I must appreciate every season for what it is—even a long, cold winter. We need to accept down times.
Rest is a fundamental aspect of life that is built into the universe. Birds rest: most birds sleep at night in protected places; owls "work" the night shift and sleep during the day. Insects rest, many at night, like bees, wasps, flies, beetles, etc. Others are most active at night, like fireflies, moths, and orb spiders that build the big complex webs (most of them tear them down at sunrise and rebuild the next evening). Temperate zone insects "rest" all winter as dormant adults or larvae, as cocoons, pupae, or eggs. Even plants "rest". Plants do not photosynthesize at night (no sunlight), which is the main "work" of a plant: manufacturing the carbohydrates that all nature--including humans--are ultimately dependent on for energy. Most Temperate zone plants also go dormant for the winter. All mammals rest: again some during the night (most humans), some during the day (mice, coyotes, etc.).
Time-off is built into the fabric of nature. It's part of the Biblical concept of Sabbath rest. Even the non-religious appreciate their Saturday or Sunday off. Sometimes our rest is forced on us, as when we get sick or injured. There is a sense in which our "fallow time" may even represent an entire season of our life.
Here are the lyrics to a song from the 60’s/70’s folk musician, Judy Collins. Check it out on this YouTube link if you will—it’s beautiful. Drink in the words and be content with your own down times. It is part of the rhythm of life. Let's be content with the fallow seasons of our lives. Maybe I’m in one now. It’s okay. I’ve included a couple of photos I took of some fallow fields in our area. After her lyrics, I’ll leave you with a little wisdom from King Solomon in Ecclesiastes (written while he still had wisdom). Here’s Judy Collins . . .
Fallow Way
Words and Music by Judy Collins
Universal Music Corp. (ASCAP)/ The Wildflowers Company (ASCAP)
(Administered by Universal Music Corp.)
When winter draws the valley down
And stills the rivers in their storm
And freezes all the little brooks
Time when our steps slow to the song
Of falling flakes and crackling flames
When silver stars are high and still
Deep in the velvet of the night sky
The crystal time the silence times
I'll learn to love their quietness
While deep beneath the glistening snow
The black earth dreams of violets
I'll learn to love the fallow way
I'll learn to love the fallow way
When all my colors fade to white
And flying birds fold back their wings
Upon my anxious wonderings
The sun has slanted all her rays
Across the vast and harvest plains
My memories mingle in the dawn
I dream a joyful vagabonds
The crystal times the silence times
I'll learn to love their quietness
When deep beneath the glistening snow
The black earth dreams in of violets
I'll learn to love the fallow times
No drummer comes across the plains
To tell of triumph or of pain
No word far off battle's cry
To draw me out or draw me nigh
I'll learn to love the fallow way
I'll learn to love the fallow way
And gather in the patient fruits
And after autumns blaze and burn
I'll know the full still, deep roots
That nothing seem to know or need
That crack the ice in frozen ponds
And slumbering in winter's folds
Have dreams of green and blue and gold
I'll learn to love the fallow way
And listening for blossoming
Of my own heart once more in spring
As sure as moonlight, wind and stars
The fallow time will fall away
The sun will bring an April day
And I will yield to Summer's way
This reminds me that there is a time for everything and every season … check out Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace . . .
I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
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