First Church of God

It’s early morning, and Brian comes to me while I’m doing my devotions on the couch.  He has a bad headache and wants me to rub it before he leaves for school.  So his head takes the spot on my lap where my Bible had just been.  My thumbs dig into his temples as I quietly quote John 15.  I could sense him relaxing and taking in every word…  

“I am the true vine, and my father is the Gardener.”  I imagine Matt Deitrich walking through his vineyard, taking pride in caring for the land he works.  Then I imagine him cutting away dead or fruitless branches. 

“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit.”  This is a bit scary to ponder.  If a branch is not bearing fruit, God, the Great Gardener, cuts it off.  How many “Christian people” are actually just taking up space in a pew, and bearing no fruit?  What does it mean to be "cut off"?  What does it mean to bear fruit?  What fruit do I see in my life?    

“And every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”  Lord, what needs to be pruned from my life, to make space for more fruitful activity?  Are there any wasteful time stealers I need to let go of?  I am open to being pruned...

Thanks God for moments like this.  As a Father, I feel like every word I’ve spoken has been like a blessing over my son.  Your Word has washed over both of us just now. 

Brian leaves for school with a head less hurting and a mind more focused.