“My people will again live under my shade. They will flourish like grain and blossom like grapevines. They will be fragrant as the wines of Lebanon.” (Hosea 14:7, NLT)
When we first married, my in-laws had grapevines which were massive – thick and growing on trellises which gave shade to their entire patio. My father-in-law was most proud of them, always sharing his abundance of grapes to anyone willing to make juice or jam.
While we enjoyed the relief from the heat which the vines provided, it was the fruit we admired and patiently waited to ripen. The memories are sweet ones and I have not thought about those vines until reading these thoughts from Watchman Nee the other day:
“Who ever gave much thought to vine-blossoms? It is in fact one of the shortest-lived of flowers, scarcely noticed before it is gone and has already turned to fruit.
How tempted we are to display what is impressive to men, a blossom to be admired! But the Father has set us as branches in the Vine. There, what He seeks above all is fruit-bearing.”
(from Tables in the Wilderness by Watchman Nee, June 7)
There are three different types of plants. I hope you will join me at Woman to Woman Ministries HERE as we talk about fruit bearing plants, and lives.
Photo by Thomas Verbruggen on Unsplash
Today I may be joining … Remember Me Monday and InstaEncouragements.
