Gold From Vicki

I just now came from Vicki's site. Quite often when I am discouraged I go there and I hope that Vicki doesn't mind but this latest Post of hers is exactly what I needed and perhaps some of the other Pals need it also.

As I read this , I could not help but think of Mom Golden. For the last week, it seems that she is in the depths of despair and there just doesn't seem any way that we can help her. It is not a pretty sight. Bernie and I will be going over as usual today and I am going to print out Vicki's post and give it to Mom. I think that it will be a help. Mom is like a little wilted flower herself these days and it would be so nice if this revives her.

Vicki writes;

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." ~ John 15:5

From the porch I could see my mailbox petunias were wilting, so I hurried to investigate, bringing along my trusty watering can.

Down on my knees, I pulled up a few plants whose roots were barely covered with soil, then quickly replanted them.

Some of the roots had dried up completely.

Petunias that once stood in full bloom, now drooped pitifully to the ground in solitary confinement.

I lifted each sagging flower to pack extra soil around its roots, but there was no use - they fell limp in my hands.

I sighed.

They'd snapped in two from the weight of clunky debris blown during a recent thunderstorm.

I plucked the dead plants and cleaned the debris, replanting a choice few that remained.

My back ached as I pinched off dead blooms and branches, hoping for new growth in weeks to come.

What money I'd spent on these gorgeous specimens was lost forever if they couldn't survive. . .. . . but not my object lesson.

You knew it was coming, didn't you? :-)

God didn't have to say a word.

The thought came as I tossed all those withered branches into my bucket.

Abide.

This is what happens when we don't.

When we're disconnected from Him, we're limp, weak, and ineffective.

We can't grow on our own.

Only God Himself establishes us as we abide in Christ.

Our roots in Him must go deep.

And deep they go, when we abide.

I noticed something peculiar about one petunia.

Of all the others, this bright magenta darling waved in the breeze, oblivious to it's own cuts and bruises.

Her roots ran deep. I pinched off the broken places and let her be.

I can't force any growth, but I know this plant will bide well through the summer months with a little water and love.

Like that peculiar petunia, I want to stand firm through the adversities of life.

How can this be?

We all get knocked around, someone said.

All I know is, the lilies of the field neither toil nor spin; neither does my little petunia.

It rests in the heart of the soil.

Likewise, I trust the Holy Spirit is working to grow my faith stronger and brighter in Him each day, whether I realize it or not.

He is my Living connection; no other union will do.

Fruitfulness in my life comes as I draw from the lifesap of the Vine.

So I open His Word expectantly and hopefully, and rejoice that His life is being cultivated in me.

I want to grow in spite of life's "cuts and bruises," but I leave the gardening to Him.

When I'm resting and well-rooted in Him, I know that He will do the rest.

"Rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." ~ Colossians 2:7

Thanks Vicki!....http://windowstomysoul.blogspot.com