grateful grape

"I am the vine."

Something we hear a lot in the Bible. It's even referenced in a few of my favorite worship songs. For a minute, just put yourself in my place as I walk you through an experience I had at- you guessed it- my kitchen sink. 

My kids, 3 very different, very strong, personalities were all doing their very own things. I was trying to get some laundry done, while catering to each of their needs, and entertaining multiple conversations. I felt stretched thin to say the least. I wasn't doing it perfectly by ANY sense of the word, but I was being much more patient, and having far more grace than my flesh wanted to extend. (yAy)

My son, who seems be going through a growth spurt, and my daughters who are just little fruit-eating-machines, had pretty much eaten me clean of the following, days before I was due to go shopping again: 10 lbs of strawberries, 6 pints of strawberries, 3 lbs of apples, a few lbs of peaches, and most of a watermelon. That's a LOT of fruit for 3 kids!! They kept going into the fridge to see if something magically appeared since the last time. I wish that was how it worked, especially when the fruit isn't in season... $$$$$$! But after lots of frustration on all of our parts, I remembered I had a few bags of grapes still hidden in the drawer! They were just covered up by something else I needed to make room for, so they had missed them. 

It had been a few weeks since I bought them, so they probably weren't going to be good. My kids like them when they're firm and not the least bit squishy. Can't hurt to try, right?

Grabbed the bags out. Vines looked a little.... dry. But those grapes- they were fine. 

It probably only took a second, but it felt like a few minutes of the Holy Spirit showing me that THIS was a visible representation of why God tells us He is the vine, and not something like and avocado. Those grapes on the vine were picked/harvested, sat on a truck, sat on a shelf, sat in my fridge, for weeks, dare I say months! And the vine still provided life. The grapes looked completely unfazed by all the changes they had went through; even though it was very evident based on the appearance of the vine. The vine- Jesus- was their life source for so long! So much longer than any other fruit would have survived! Obviously this isn't a perfect analogy, because these grapes would have eventually turned to raisins, or gotten gross, moldy, or squishy. And True Vine of Jesus gives eternal life. We'll never get gross, moldy, or squishy up in Heaven!😉😉 

(If I asked you right now: "if you died tonight, would you go to Heaven or Hell?". Can you answer with certainty-- and be ok with your answer? Think about it, I'd love to help you make that a firm "yes!" if you're not there yet!)

Well as I'm looking at these grapes it made me so grateful! 

Geez, God could have chose to liken himself to any of the amazing fruits He made! Immediately I went to "I'm glad he didn't chose the temperament of an avocado.... yikes!" Could you imagine? One minute He's hard, calloused and unforgiving, and two seconds later He's extremely soft, loving and forgiving?! I know some earthly fathers (and mothers) like that.... talk about mixed signals!

Then I started singing the Fruit of the Spirit song! (👈🏼I'm linking it here. It's a kids' song, but I think adults should know it to really help you be aware of OUR OWN fruits we're producing... and it's fun!) 

Glad He's not a coconut- sweet inside, but only if you've earned it. You have to be strong enough, or persistent enough to crack through that hard exterior.... and you probably have NO IDEA where to begin! 

Watermelon? I mean, I feel like all these Jersey summers have helped me become a semi-pro at choosing a decent watermelon, but it's never 100% of the time. They look so similar, and yet can be sooooo different on the inside... feels like a trick sometimes. 

I mean, let's be honest. Avocados would be a volatile choice! But bananas would be the most humbling and telling of our relationships -- or the seasons-- with God! "The more time you spend with Me, the more green I stay. If you neglect your time with Me, I start to go brown." I don't know about you, but every time I buy bananas it's with the intention of eating them.... not starting a fruit fly farm. And sometimes, my relationship with God probably looks a little more like that than I'd care to admit. 

But God chose the vine...(grapes for this example.)

I would encourage you to endure the Fruit of the Spirit song. Just turn the volume down. When it gets to the grape part, it references how grapes come in bunches. I think that's one more key component God doesn't want us to forget. It could point to the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It could point to needing community and to avoid isolation at all cost. It could point to family- whatever that looks like for you!

God could have chosen anything, from a large number of amazing things- He created them after all. Yet He was chose what He chose. He didn't simplify or overcomplicate the decision. He was deliberate. He was intentional. He knew that this was the choice that would best describe His love for us. 

That same thought and detail went into you, and your life. It went into who you are, and what He wants for you. 

I know that. I've also come to accept and believe that magnitude of love for me. What I'm currently grappling with is that last part; what He wants for me. 

He is a God of Miracles- big things! I often allow myself to think I'm not qualified. In doing so, I'm telling God He made a mistake. Which is CRAZY because I so often say, and I quote:

"Either I'm right or God/the Bible is wrong!" 

Since it certainly isn't the latter.... I'm going to assume I am yet again wrong, and I am, in fact, qualified to whatever it is He is asking me. 

Big things aren't always planting churches and going into mission fields. 

~Forgive someone who doesn't understand they've hurt you
~Have a hard conversation with someone you love enough to work through something with
~Put your flesh (pride, ego) aside and grow
~Face your mistakes
~Take responsibility or accountability for your actions
~Being honest, transparent or vulnerable
~Share the Gospel, even though you're scared
~Go, do, or try something very new. Step out in faith. 

*As I am writing this, I'm terrified to do that thing I'm called to do. It will likely be an ongoing thing for a few years, so please continue to pray if you feel so inclined!*

Praise God for His wisdom and that abundant love!!

Thank you Jesus for your patience and grace!!

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart that you don't have the temperament of an avocado, or the hard exterior of a coconut. 

Your love is more than I deserve, and the punishment I have is far less than I deserve. You are so, so good to me, and I thank you for yet another beautiful day to share Your love and Truth! 

Many thanks,

A very, very grateful grape. 

YOU are the 1 He left the 99 for. He's called you to something. Will you obey?