Sitting on the porch swing and the afternoon is summer personified! The bright yellow sunshine has heated the day up to a real feel 88 degrees. It’s too hot in the sun on this porch swing so I gathered all my bookie and go sit in the other swing. Once the sun hits this swing, I’ll be relegated to the double rocking chair. The day is so beautiful. The breezes are blowing perfectly for the wind chimes. The chimes are riding the breezes, pinging one pipe at a time, no loud tintinnabulations just quiet bell-like symphonies blending in with the songbirds’ happy chorus. I love this time of day as the world starts spinning slower on its axis, pulling down the curtain of dusk and awakening the darkness of night.

Today has been full of Shady Oak moments. I called my daughter-in-law twice when I was putting my phone in my pocket this morning, might have been four times if I tell the truth. I was so embarrassed. I quickly touched the disconnect button thinking it hadn’t had time to ring yet but I wasn’t quick enough. She’s so sweet and caring. She called right back thinking I might need something. I called her again by accident when I called Stew to supper. I have no idea how that happens!

If I call my youngest son accidentally like that he gets out my suitcase and tells me to start packing. If I called him three times in a row, he’d skip my packing and cart me off to Shady Oaks without my belongings. Can’t go to Shady Oaks without blackberry Dr. Pepper, hoop cheese, Nabisco saltines, Doublemint chewing gum, and cash for Poker. Oh, and a forty pound sack of bird seed.

Been pondering on my scuppernong vine on the trellis by the porch bannister. My mama would sit in the swing eating scuppernongs and pitch the seeds and hulls over the bannister. I’ve made jelly from its fruit several times but since I’ve moved here it’s produced no fruit. The vines are wrapped tightly around the trellis making good hiding perches for the little titmice and chickadees to sit and crack their sunflower seeds open. I can’t help but think how God is entwined with us in our lives and our journeys of faith. We, too, produce no fruit if we don’t have faith in a loving and merciful God.

Scripture in John tells us the relationship between between God and his followers are likened to a vine and its branches. We, who believe in God, have to stay closely connected with him to bear fruit and live a fruitful life. John 15:5-6 reads, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”

When we’re closely entwined with God, we flourish in this glorious habitat of life on earth. Life as we know it is a struggle and we need the strength of God to help us along the way, especially when we have difficult times. As we pray, listen to God, and study his words, we strengthened our relationship. We grow deep roots of faith, weaving the branches of our lives with God’s mercy and grace. A life entwined with God also calls us to witness our faith to others in our words and deeds.

As we live our daily lives, success and happiness come from being ourselves, living our lives based on our Christian values. A life full of joy allows you to live a life of purpose. Being true to yourself and your Christian beliefs will be your guide to living a fulfilling life. We draw our strength from God. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

The vines of our faith are nourished by God’s words and the Holy Spirit. Trusting in God gives us strength to live a fruitful life.

“The deeper our roots go down into God’s Word, the higher our branches can reach up to Him.” — Chasing Vines