Jesus is the Vine and we are the branches!

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you,  

you will bear much fruit;... John 15:5

During this pandemic, all of us had to make changes in many aspects of our lives. Covid-19 forced us to make changes because of the many challenges this virus has brought upon us on a daily basis. For me, the most challenging adaptation is certainly the isolation. I love to see my children, my grandkids and my great granddaughter. I enjoy cooking a Mexican meal or having a cup of tea with my friends. I like having people around me.  The isolation from the ones I love, I find it overwhelming, especially on the weekends.  

Therefore, I find things to do that will get me out of my house. Early one Sunday evening, I drove to a park along the edge of the Ottawa River. I parked my car and turned off the engine. Armed with my cup of tea and my cell phone, I began to look at the beautiful nature in front of me. 

Within seconds I felt like I was alone with the Lord. I saw the river through the trees. The sun was going down on the water which made for a beautiful landscape. I got out of my car to take a few pictures. I started to praise the Lord for this beautiful scenery. I prayed for my three children and their families. I declared the Word of God over their lives. I also prayed for my friends, my TLCCM partners and for my Mexican family.

I continued to pray while my eyes focused on that beautiful landscape. I felt the awesome presence of God. I felt His love for me, I felt His mercy for me, but most of all I felt His approval. I was being myself and in those precious minutes, I knew that I knew that the Lord always loves me just as I am. Amen.

My eyes began to examine the trees ahead of me. Trees of all sizes and shapes that line the edge of the river to complete the beautiful landscape. After a few minutes, I noticed that the winter had not been too kind for some of those trees. Some had broken branches, nevertheless, those branches were still attached to tree trunks. Not one of those branches had fallen to the ground.

Often, the Lord speaks to me through His nature. That Sunday evening was one of those times. Suddenly I felt a download from the Holy Spirit. The verse in John 15:5 came to mind. “Jesus Is the Vine and We are the branches”. So, I came home to write down what the Lord was depositing in my spirit.

This is what the Lord showed me: Some of the trees on the bank of the river had been damaged and bruised, but new leaves are still growing on these branches. New leaves are growing because even though the branches are damaged, they are still connected to the trunk of the trees. The tree trunks are very strong. The trees had survived the winter and its harsh weather.

The sap that flows through the tree trunks is enough to reach and protect the branches bruised by the harshness of cold season. Without the sap that flows from the tree trunks to the branches, all these the branches would have died.

I don't know about you, but I sometimes feel like a broken branch. A branch damaged by the winter of life. In 2020, I had some difficult health issues. During that time, I certainly felt like a broken branch. A bruised branch with no physical or emotional strength. A branch that normally works many hours each day to administer Tender Loving Care Children Ministries in Mexico. But, for months I had no physical strength left in me which on many occasions forced me to stay in bed for hours or days. 

But Jesus has been my Savior for 40 years, so I know His reputation. I know of His love and His faithfulness for me. Even in the darkest hours of my life, when I held my husband's hand until he was in the presence of the Lord and again in 2020 through my health struggles, yes I felt broken, but I never felt detached from the love of God. I never felt abandoned by God. I never thought that the sap of His love for me was no longer flowing in my life and in my spirit. 

No, like the sap that flows from the tree trunks to allow many bruised branches to survive, Jesus is the sap of my life. He protects me from the rigors and challenges of life. He guards and helps me through all the difficult seasons of my life.

Now, one year later, my health is restored, my physical strength is almost as strong as it was previously. I am back at my desk looking after the needs of the children in Mexico. But, most important is that my faith in God is stronger because He once again He let the sap of His love flow in and through me so I can be all that He wants me to be.

He is the tree trunk on which my life hangs onto every day. Jesus is the Vine, and I am a branch, a branch that is forever grateful for the love and mercy He always shows me.

And Jesus also is the sap for your life. Do not worry if sometimes you feel like a damaged or bruised branch, just trust Him to let the sap of His love and His peace flow through you.

Jesus did it for me, He will do it for you. Amen!

 Denise

Please note: I did not have COVID-19, but as a matter of privacy, I did not include details concerning my health issues.  Thank You!