Back in April, I planted my tiny tomato seeds with all the tenderness of a first-time parent. For months I babied them, whispered encouragement, and celebrated every milestone. First leaves? We threw a party. First flowers? Practically sent out invitations. Now the harvest is here—overflowing with tomatoes—and I’ll admit it: I’m overwhelmed by the harvest.
Those spindly stems grew into something resembling tomato trees—sturdy, leafy, and full of promise. I lovingly tucked them into the garden and dreamed of the day they’d deliver baskets overflowing with juicy tomatoes. And now? That day is here! The tomatoes are plump, healthy, and glorious, ready to be picked. The problem is… I’m not ready.
The busyness of fall has descended upon me like a weighted blanket I didn’t order. Homeschool runs in full swing, the calendar overflows with obligations, and in the middle of it all I went and promised my family a vacation—what was I thinking?
The tomato harvest, the one I dreamed about for months, has slipped to the back burner while life demands center stage. But one thing I know for sure: these tomatoes will not go to waste. Mama may be overwhelmed, but she’s not surrendering the sauce!
Take Charge When Harvest Time Overwhelms You
So what do I do when I’m not ready for a harvest that’s ready for me? Enter: the freezer hack.
- Pick ripe tomatoes
- Wash Tomatoes
- Core and roughly chop, or don’t—nobody’s judging, least of all me
- Toss into a zip-top freezer bag
- Pop them into the freezer and watch the overwhelm melt away
Simple Tomato Freezer Hack for Busy Moms
When life slows down; translation: when I find 15 spare minutes, I thaw the tomatoes and process them at my leisure. And here’s the real gift: freezing pulls out much of the water, so when I cook them down into sauce later, I’ve already skipped the time-consuming step of boiling forever. It’s like the tomatoes are saying, “Don’t worry, girl, we’ve got you covered.”
When the Season of Life Feels Like Too Much
If you’ve ever stood in your kitchen staring at a counter full of produce, wondering how on earth you’ll add one more thing to your plate, you’re not alone. Life has a way of handing us a harvest when we least feel prepared.
Maybe it’s tomatoes coming in all at once, maybe it’s the start of a new school year, or maybe it’s something much bigger—an unexpected diagnosis, a financial strain, or a season of parenting that feels heavier than you thought you could carry.
But here’s the good news: God never asks us to handle the harvest alone. Scripture reminds us that
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”
2 Corinthians 12:9
That means when we feel stretched thin, God’s strength is what sustains us. His grace doesn’t just cover the gaps; it fills them to overflowing. Even in the overwhelm, He provides rest for our souls and wisdom for our steps.
Faith for the Seasons of Life When You’re Not Ready
Sometimes grace looks like slowing down long enough to whisper a prayer before the chaos continues. Sometimes it looks like frozen tomatoes waiting patiently in the freezer until we have time to deal with them. And sometimes it looks like letting go of the guilt of not doing it all perfectly and remembering that God values faithfulness over busyness. When we offer Him our “not enough,” He multiplies it into more than we could ever manage on our own.
Coming Up Next Week
Next week I’ll share my Best Ever Homemade Freezer Pasta Sauce—the perfect way to turn those overflowing tomatoes into a hearty, family-friendly dinner without the stress
Consider this your official invitation to pull up a chair at the table, because next week, it’s all about sauce and sanity.
And while you wait for next week’s post, you can read all about other ways life can feel overwhelming in this blog post:
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your own harvest—whether it’s tomatoes, responsibilities, or life itself? Share your favorite hack or Bible verse in the comments!