~ Little Vine ~

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My dear little vine,

You have been very dear to me ever since I first 

cast my gaze upon you. I bought you because I

instantly loved you. I was excited to bring you home with me. That was a few months ago. You have been through some rough times, probably "wondering" if you'd make it. I, too, wondered how you'd do. The torrents of rain beat down hard on you. I hoped that you'd survive through it all. I waited for a while in great anticipation to see new growth spring forth out of you until finally I saw your first adorable tendril. I have watched you very slowly but surely grow over the last few months. You are so delicate and beautiful.

Most of the rain has come and gone now. This past week has been very exciting, to say the least. You are growing super fast now. Sometimes, it seems like somedays you have grown a few inches more than the day before. Your little tendrils decorate the pillar with their cute little curlycues. Every time I see you grow, I dance with delight and can't wait until the next time I see you grow some more. I seriously look at and touch you almost every time I walk by you. (I do that dozens of times each day.)

Long before now, I decided that I wanted you to go up this post. But I knew one thing, you can't do it alone. So, I helped your tiny tendrils find the ropes. I am happy to see them anchoring themselves tight to those ropes. As long as you stay fastened to them, you will be sure to stay on the pillar.

My little vine, soon you will reach the top, and even then, you will continue to grow. Some day you will have radiant purple flowers that will brighten up your dark corner. Yay for that day! But in the mean time, may we continue to work together to climb the pillar. I love you more than you know.    ~ Your gardener

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Dear friends, 

As I ponder about my love for the little vine, I can't help but think about another Gardener. He is the Master Gardener. His skill is eternally far beyond my own.

He, too, bought me. And the only thing He could give so I could be His little vine was His very own blood. Nothing else could pay for me. He loved me so much that, to Him, it was worth the cost. 

I am amazed at the His love for me--a love that is far beyond my comprehension. I mean, this Master Gardener sticks by my side day in and day out, never mind the whether. He's there through it all, even when torrents of hardships are beating down on me. 

As I try to grow and hold on to the pillars of Christianity, I often fall. But, this Master Gardener untiringly picks me up again and again, and gently helps me to anchor onto those pillars again with stronger ropes faith then before. At first, my faith is like twine, but as I climb higher, may my faith continue to grow more and more like a heavy rope. And at last, my I be radiant with His royal character in this dark little world.

And this isn't all. Every time, I grow, my Master Gardener gets super excited. He sings over me with great joy--joy unfathomable. (Zephaniah 3:17) In fact, all of heaven echoes with cheers of delight. (Luke 15:7) And it's all for me, a little vine.

Someday, He will take me home to live with Him. Right now, He's helping to get there. There's a lot of climbing and growing that I must do between now and the heavenly paradise.

"Oh, my Master Gardener may I always allow you to help me climb higher and grow more each day in the Christian life. And, when I fall, help me to rise up and climb again. (Proverbs 24:16; Psalm 37:23-24) Thank you so much for your love and limitless care. I love You, too. ~ Your little vine"

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This is my prayer for each one of you who reads this. May you also continue to grow and climb higher in your Christian experience. Your Master Gardener loves and cares very much for you! And that love for you is deeper and more sure than the love that any of your closest and dearest ties on earth can give.