Sitting in the swing this morning, thinking of all the families affected by Hurricane Helene. Hoping God’s sun will shine in their lives and give them hope to continue on. I know it’s devastating to lose your family’s home and possessions. My heart breaks for them. I know they are questioning their faith. Can’t imagine. We all need to pray for them.

My day is pretty with a brisk heavy breeze. I’m enjoying the wind chime symphony as I perch in the swing and bird watch. A red breasted grosbeak, dressed in jet black and snow white plumage, with a vest of reddish-rose, visited my yard this morning, such a handsome bird. Hope he brings a flock of his friends with him tomorrow. A praying mantis stopped by to do a little praying on Penelope’s playpen as he walked around the top bar. I took a few photos before he flew off. I never knew a praying mantis could fly.

Been thinking about my mother as I look at the scuppernong vine near the porch bannister. My mother loved scuppernongs and would drive a 100 miles up in the country to get a paper sack full. She’d sit in the swing and eat them, chunking the seeds and husks over the porch bannister. For some reason Chief and I never noticed the vines till several years ago when they grew all over the bushes by the porch steps and were covered in fruit. He picked a Wally World sack full and I made pints of jelly, labeling them “Mama’s Scuppernong Jelly.” I can see Mama right now sitting in the swing, reaching in the paper sack. I don’t like them because I hate seeds in things. I used to make cobblers out of them for Chief. He loved scuppernongs, seeds and all. I tried eating a few this year but they were too sour. The vine only made a handful of scuppernongs this summer.

I’m thinking a scuppernong vine is a lot like our lives. The vine is rooted in the ground like we’re rooted in our faith and in our families. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches,” John 15:5. Jesus is the source of life for us. Our vine, planted deeply in our Christian faith, is the source and sustenance of life for our branches. Our branches are the circles of our family and friends, who give us support, who anchor us, help us thrive.

Think how determined a vine is, their long tender flexible stems reaching out for something to grab onto, wrapping their tiny vines tightly when grasping anything within their reach. We grow our own vines rooted in our lives, caring well for the branches so they can bear fruit. Our family stems need support and connection to faith to grow and prosper. Our vines also need friendships to sustain them and determination and strength to face life’s hardships. Our life vines also need to be rooted deeply in God, growing with his faithfulness and grace, branching out through our prayers and thankfulness.

I think God and our faith are the daily bread of our lives. I know my vine is strongly wrapped in my faith, rooted with a deep love of my family. As Max Lucado said, “The duty of the branch is to cling to the vine.” Jesus is the vine and we’re all branches connected to him through our faith. If we cling to Jesus’ vine, we’ll grow and flourish under God’s care.

“When we abide in the vine, His life flows through us, and we bear His fruit.” — Secrets of the Vine