On Harvesting Too Soon…

In days of relentless and of uncertainty, some times people (including young people) are disposed to make shortsighted decisions⎯decisions that seem attractive at the moment, but which may imperil future prospects; decisions that may seem to come closer to what is wanted right now, but at the risk of placing a permanent penalty upon the future.

In the lives of young men and women there are many seasons of decision: whether to return to school or stay with what seems at the moment to be temptingly profitable employment; whether to abandon preparation and seize a short-term gain or to forego some things now and lay the foundations for a more solid future.

There are figures that could be placed before us which show that an adequate period of preparation pays in material terms as well as in service and satisfaction. No doubt there are individual circumstances which justify postponing preparation, which justify a quick harvest for a specific purpose. But too short a growing season, harvesting too soon, cuts short the total long-time return.

(There is some feed in the field as soon as the first green shoots show themselves, but there is greater yield when one cultivates, and waters, and waits.)

This nation, this generation needs prepared people, and every young person needs to be solidly prepared for the future. It sometimes means self-denial; it means some waiting; it almost always requires some sacrifice, some resourcefulness, some postponing of desired things to complete a period of preparation. But the years pass quickly, and the sacrifices, hard though they seem, are soon over; and for those who have made them, there is the promise of reward and of greater service and satisfaction. The temptations to take a quick return should be placed in proper perspective. And to those who may be hesitating about completing their preparation, let this be said: Don’t let the season for plowing and planting pass without plowing and planting⎯lest there should be a short harvest.