“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever lives in me and I in them will produce abundantly, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
A young woman took great pride in her gardens, having learned from her grandmother how to grow and care for all types of flowers. She was proud of her green thumb. Her garden was admired by many as it was second to none.
One day while looking at the website where she usually made her garden purchases, she saw a gorgeous flower like no other she had ever seen. Its shape was unique –its color exquisite! She ordered it without hesitation.
When it arrived, she had already prepared the spot where she wanted it. With excitement and anticipation, she planted her new seeds at the base of a stone wall at the back of her yard. The plant grew fast and well. But the lady was sad to see that while it had beautiful green leaves all over it, there were no blooms in sight. Day after day she continued to cultivate it, water it, feed it, but she still saw no blooms.
One morning, weeks later, she stood next to the vine, thinking how disappointed she was with her new flower. She even considered cutting it down so she could plant something else in its place.
It was at this point that her elderly neighbor, whose lot joined hers, called over to her. “Thank you so much! I cannot explain the joy your flowers have given me this season. The flowers on that vine you planted are the prettiest things I’ve ever seen!” The young woman walked through the gate into her neighbor’s yard, and sure enough, she saw that on the other side of the wall the vine was filled with blooms.
They were, indeed, the most beautiful blooms she had ever seen. The vine had crept through the crevices. It had not flowered on her side of the fence, but it had flowered splendidly on the other side.
Sometimes we see the results of our deeds. Oftentimes, others might see them when we can’t. Only when Jesus is the vine and we are the branches, can we all be closer to blooming into what we need to be. Only then can we be sure of the beauty we are putting out in the world.
Watering the Seeds
Who do you know who does a great job of thinking about others in life?
What can you do today to show Christ’s love to someone else?
