I am a Branch

“I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.
John 15:5‭-‬8 MSG

Producing grapes (as in good fruit) is not so easy in challenging times. Today I watched my mother have a medical challenge, right before my eyes and it was unsettling. I had to go to an astronomy meeting where I had agreed to cook a bbq. It was the last thing in the world I wanted to do, yet I did it joyfully. (Well... limping...joyfully, maybe half joyfully.)

I did not abuse anyone. In fact I was well behaved. I was blessed with another cook and two servers. It meant I did not have to think too much, for which I was grateful. I had to distance myself from worry and go to trust. Not easy, but then I have had a lot of practice, and I did it.

I suppose I felt for my mum as she was looking very frail and I wanted to hold her and coo her to sleep. You know how mums do it for children, well when your parents become old they are just as frail again.

I am sure parents of little children who suffer terribly with cancer and other illness feel this all the more. At times we cannot make the problem go away and that hurts. I did pray for my mum and things did improve.

Yet abiding in the vine is relying on Him when we don't have answers. He has it, we must trust Him. Amen!