Ezekiel 43-45; Psalm 135; John 15

““I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It is the gardener that provides what is necessary for the vine to grow.  It is the vine that provides what the branches need. It is the branches that produce the fruit.

Seems simple enough, right? And it is, until those pesky worms and bugs and creatures attack.

Still, it is the gardener that will protect the branches along with their fruit, unless the branch falls away from the vine.  Then the branch can no longer be productive, and actually,  can become a problem for the rest of the plant.

Like the gardener, God longs to see His branches bear fruit.

Every spring when I plant my tomatoes, I head out to check on them daily, anxiously wanting to see those small yellow buds extending from the vine on the branches.  I carefully watch them, water them, and yes prune them when necessary.  What a great sense of pride when I finally see that little green ball.  I nurture it, watching it grow into a full grown tomato.  How pleased I am.

My prayer is when I get fully grown ( when I get to Heaven), that God will be pleased with me.  In order for that to happen, I must make sure that I cling to that vine.  Holding on for dear life.  Soaking up every thing that vine has to offer.

My prayer today is to continue to seek and share God’s love. How can I pray for you?