Jesus had much to say about growing plants. These lessons still apply to us today, though most of us no longer live in an agrarian culture. Read what was written in the book of John.

“I am the true Vine, and my Father is the Gardener. ² He lops off every branch that doesn’t produce. And he prunes those branches that bear fruit for even larger crops. ³ He has already tended you by pruning you back for greater strength and usefulness by means of the commands I gave you. ⁴ Take care to live in me, and let me live in you. For a branch can’t produce fruit when severed from the vine. Nor can you be fruitful apart from me.

⁵ “Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in me and I in him shall produce a large crop of fruit. For apart from me you can’t do a thing. ⁶ If anyone separates from me, he is thrown away like a useless branch, withers, and is gathered into a pile with all the others and burned. ⁷ But if you stay in me and obey my commands, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! ⁸ My true disciples produce bountiful harvests. This brings great glory to my Father.

⁹ “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Live within my love. ¹⁰ When you obey me you are living in my love, just as I obey my Father and live in his love. ¹¹ I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your cup of joy will overflow!

John 15:1-11 TLB

Vine and branches also applies to shrubs and branches. Once while driving the Natchez Trace we came to rest area/ tourist information center that had these shrubs growing along the sidewalk. I was enchanted, especially since purple is my favorite color! (The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile recreational road and scenic drive through three states. It roughly follows the “Old Natchez Trace,” a historic travel corridor used by American Indians, “Kaintucks,” European settlers, slave traders, soldiers, and future presidents. Today, people can enjoy a scenic drive as well as hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping along the Parkway.)

More recently, while on retreat at the Convent of the Transfiguration Spirituality Center I found the shrubs once again. (Photograph above)

I cut one branch. The shrubs were loaded with berries. I knew in a just a few weeks the frost would make everything less lovely. One branch would not destroy the future of the shrub.

Holding the lovely branch, I pondered the fact that Jesus is the Vine and I am just a branch. The shrubs I encountered were producing a bountiful harvest of berries. I, too, want to stay close to my Savior and produce a crop to His glory. These berries are attached with tiny, rather fragile stems.

Then a poem emerged:

So many lovely purple spheres
bespangled tendrils almost
to the ground
delight to my eyes
firm to the touch
but barely affixed
you roll down the spine of my book
making me giggle

Living water flow in me
American beauty bush
Fruit of dark purple
Not in line with liturgical colors
yet gift to me.  ©Molly Lin Dutina

Eventually I took the branch into the library of the Center and placed it on paper so it would not mar the furniture. The retreat was just for a day or two.

Before I departed I disposed of the cut branch, a clear reminder to cling to Christ and stay connected.

The memory of that berry rolling down the spine of my book still makes me giggle. Isn’t it amazing how tiny things can bring us joy if we are willing to slow down and look for them? May your day bring you splendid surprises.