Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Scriptures of Comfort ~ Winter's Song

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." ~ John 15:5, NKJV

Our ancient grapevine is a tangled mess - a brown tapestry of woven branches clinging to the original vine the size of a young tree trunk. Winter's chill sent it deep into itself. Everything turned inward. There was no outward sign of growth. Of life. Of fruit born from its life-flow. Winter's chill sent its roots searching for water, grappling by instinct for that which would preserve life.

Its brown coat belies the strength within.

As the cold, harsh winds of winter give way to the call of spring, our grapevine responds. It doesn't dive-in full throttle, at least according to outside appearances, but with surety of purpose, buds begin to appear, evidence of the life flowing within. Tiny leaves, the color of baby lima beans appear on the branches closest to the sun, the ones stretching out of the brown chaos of tangled branches. Each leaf unfurls, revealing  a blush of red tingeing its edge. A male cardinal, clothed brilliantly in feathers of crimson, hops from branch to branch, singing and calling to the luscious fruit that lies dormant within each branch.

Something occurred to me.

Throughout the winter months I watched this same cardinal stand sentinel over the vine. It appeared daily, bobbing its head back and forth, its glorious red defying the bleak brown of the branches. Repeatedly - faithfully - he came. His song rang out over the barrenness.

And the branches responded with new life.

Jesus is like that. His love calls to us, willing us to step out of winter's chill into the warmth of His embrace.

Yes, my Jesus is like that.
 


Father, I know our lives have seasons just like Your splendid creation and I know each season has a purpose - it's part of Your plan. Open our eyes to see and understand the seasons of our lives. Open our eyes to see You in every season - ever watchful, ever faithful. Open our ears to hear Your song calling to us from the depths of winter's chill. We love You Lord and we give You praise.
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If Morning Glory ministered to you today, please forward it on to a friend who needs to be reminded of God's Presence regardless of the season of our life. And please feel free to leave a comment. Comments make me do the happy dance **grin**
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4 comments :

  1. Beautiful, Nan... just like you! :)

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    1. Awww...thank you Mrs. Nehemiah :) I'm so glad you stopped by. I love you!

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  2. Beautiful reminder of the seasons of life...the vibrant and productive, and the resting and rebuilding. Thank you, sweet friend.

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  3. Vonda, I am learning that each season is essential to steady growth in my faith. I DO believe I enjoy the sunshine and daisies much more than winter's chill - **grin**, but winter is when I become my strongest in Jesus. I love you!

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