Refresh | October 2025

On waiting for the promised harvest, a cozy supper recipe, and the new podcast I'm listening to.

Hello!

Happy October! Of all the seasons, autumn is my favorite. There is something so delightful about the crispness of the air, the joy of the harvest, and the heart call to gather and celebrate the goodness of God, even as we prepare for the long winter ahead.

My family and I live deep in farm country, and though we aren’t grain farmers ourselves, we are surrounded by miles upon miles of golden fields, ripe for harvest. There are so many parallels between the natural process of planting, nurturing, and harvesting crops and Biblical truth for our own lives. I hope that you’ll be encouraged as you read this month’s Spiritual Encouragement, where I share some thoughts on not giving up in defeat or discouragement as we wait, sometimes for a very long time, to see the reward of a harvest.

Today, I’m also sharing my favorite Shepherd’s Pie recipe, an anti-procrastination tip for transitioning your family’s outerwear into a new season, and lots more.

I’m so glad you’re here! Pour yourself something warm, find a comfy place to sit, and come, be refreshed.

Nourishing Recipes

With fall in the air, it’s time for all the casseroles and comfort food to return! Here’s a delicious recipe for the Perfect Shepherd’s Pie I know you’ll love. This recipe is a great way to use some of the root veggies that you’re harvesting from your garden in abundance right now. Or buying at your local farmer’s market. Or grabbing at Walmart. Wherever you get your veggies isn’t the point–the deliciousness of this ultimate comfort food is!

Bonus: This is a great make-ahead meal for busy nights, as you can assemble Shepherd’s Pie ahead of time and then simply pop it in the oven 30 minutes before you’re ready to eat. Voilà!

If you try this recipe and love it, please share it with a friend and leave a rating so it’s easier for others to find!

Simplified Homemaking

As many of us head into a new, chillier season of the year, it’s essential to be prepared ahead of time for changes in the weather and to ensure that you and your family have the right clothing, outerwear, and footwear for everyone’s needs. Take it from me: it’s no fun to be caught without boots when a surprise dump of snow comes!

This is a homemaking task that I know needs to be done sooner rather than later, but it’s easy to procrastinate on it when the weather is still in the 80s and ice and snow are the farthest thing from mind. It’s just not something I think about unless I have a reminder.

So, instead of a sudden drop in temperature reminding me, I’ve started scheduling a time on the calendar to go through our winter gear and make sure we have what we need, in the correct sizes (because my boys are growing like pumpkin plants, so what fit them five minutes ago may not fit them anymore! 😊 ). Prepping ahead also gives me time to shop around on eBay or at thrift and consignment stores, which can be great places to get reasonably priced, gently used kids’ clothing and gear.

Do you have any tips for transitioning smoothly into a new season? I’d love to know, so feel free to leave a comment below!

Biblical Encouragement

Here, where I live in North Dakota, harvest time is well underway. While many of the seeds, like corn, canola, and flax, were planted a few short months ago and grew to maturity in just one season, many other crops take several years to produce substantial fruit.

A decade or so ago, my husband and I planted a tiny sapling of an apple tree. Last year, it produced just a handful of its first apples. This year, the tree was loaded almost beyond capacity. The apples are large, crisp, and sweet - the long wait has been worth it! I have to admit, though, that there were times when I wondered whether we would ever see fruit on that tree.

Life is like that, you know. Sometimes we plant something, and the harvest is almost immediate. We teach our children a concept, and they grasp it right away. We go out of our way to befriend a stranger, and she quickly becomes a dear friend. We spend an early morning hour in Bible reading and prayer, and leave feeling close to God and ready to face whatever the day brings forth.

However, at other times, harvests take much longer to come. Perhaps we’ve been praying for years for our child to learn, understand, and apply an academic concept or a biblical truth, and they still don’t get it. Maybe a friendship hasn’t grown, or has even withered away, despite our best efforts. Sometimes we go through seasons where we feel spiritually barren, although we are doing all we know to do to cultivate growth.

I love that the Bible is brimming with agricultural references. It’s as if God has planted seeds of truth throughout the natural world, providing us with pictures that help us understand the spiritual world. I often think of the verse that says, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9)

Have you ever felt weary in doing good? I have! This year, I chose rest as my word for the year, and I’ve been seeking to understand more about how to truly rest both physically and spiritually. While taking time for physical rest is essential, and something I’ve been trying to do better at, I’ve also been asking God to show me how to rest in him when I feel overwhelmed by all that must be done, and to renew my strength when the good that I am doing seems to be for nought.

It’s great to work towards simplifying our lives and wisely consider letting go of some non-essential activities that needlessly drain us, but what about all the things that we can’t (and shouldn’t) just remove from our lives? Things like diligently training our children, serving the Lord through our local churches, and showing Christian hospitality, all while making sure the bills get paid on time? What about the days when cutting back isn’t an option, even though what we feel like doing is giving up?

While I don’t have a perfect answer, I know the One who does, and he promises to give each of us the wisdom that we need when we seek him for it (James 1:5). Your life may look very different from mine, but we all have both a call to rest and a command to not grow weary in the good work God has given us to do. I truly believe that as we humbly seek the Lord, the Holy Spirit will guide and equip us to know and do his will, moment by moment.

Can I challenge you today in two things? First, as you read your Bible throughout the next few months, keep a lookout for every time you see a reference to planting, watering, waiting, and harvesting in Scripture. Ask God to help you understand the eternal truth being communicated and how the promise of sowing and reaping applies to you in your life where you are right now.

Secondly, as you observe the harvest season this year, whether that be in your own garden, in the fields around you, or at the local produce stand, be encouraged that not all harvests happen quickly. Rest if need be, but don’t give up. Ask the Lord to show you clearly which “plot of land” he wants you to work and continue faithfully in his strength. Don’t grow weary: there is a harvest coming, and “they that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” (Psalms 126:5)

What I’m Listening to:

I’ve been enjoying listening to this new podcast for special needs families. If you are a mama to a child with autism, ADHD, or other neurodivergent needs, then you will find this podcast both helpful and encouraging. One of the co-hosts, Kate Morris also has a newsletter on Substack that you’ll enjoy reading.

Gratitude Prompt:

Think back to a time when you received a harvest from something that you worked hard at. Thank God for his blessing, and take heart: there are more harvests to come.

In My Homemaking Toolkit:

This time of year, cooler weather + more time indoors + more social gatherings = more germ sharing, am I right?! That’s why I like to have a stash of supplies on hand to fight back against illnesses, one of which is a bottle of Elderberry Elixer from Earthley.com. We use the alcohol-free tincture, which has a very pleasant taste, and my children happily take a dropperful when they are feeling a little under the weather. (Affiliate link).

Quote of the Month:

“We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. Immediately we abandon to God, and do the duty that lies nearest, and He packs our life with surprises all the time.... Leave the whole thing to Him, it is gloriously uncertain how He will come in, but He will come.”

~ Oswald Chambers

Conversation Spark (a fun and meaningful idea of what to talk about other than the weather)

What’s one thing on your bucket list this autumn? Mine is making caramel apples with my kids! 😊

Thank you for being part of the Each Ordinary Moment community. I appreciate you!

May you reap with joy this month.

Cara

P.S. Did you know that most of my newsletter subscribers are referred by a friend? If you know someone who needs encouragement, invite her to sign up!