Grapes

““I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15:1-4‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/jhn.15.1-4.nlt

I am fascinated with grapes. First of all they are delicious. But my fascination goes beyond taste. They are uniquely made and a well trained Gardner has a lot to do with the yield of the grape vine. Grape vines are more productive if they are not left to grow wild. They grow better with the care of a Gardner. The Gardner needs to cut away the bad spots to increase growth.

My God is my Gardner. I am just like the branches of the grape vine, I need trimmed back so I can become more. All of my growth comes from spending time and connecting with Jesus. He is my vine, the source of my life growth. I think most people seek a productive life, they want to be more tomorrow than they are today. That can only be sustained when we let God prune our lives. Yes, sometimes it's painful, but great things come out of that pain. I trust God to care for me with love and grace. He will allow some pain and some sorrow so I can grow and produce good fruits in my life.

Dear Lord, I love you. I am proud to serve you. I am thankful that when you see areas of my life that need changed, you initiate that change. I dedicate my life to your service and invite you to make me a better servant. My life is yours. Amen!