Abiding Grace

“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”

--John 15:5

Winter's epilogue had left the hardness of ground, leaves crushed like dust beneath the feet. We had waited for clearer skies, for fresh dew upon the earth, for life to return to barren soil, for readiness and new beginnings. We had waited for the fragrance of hope.

In the waiting do we question? Do we doubt the goodness of our Creator, that the Gardner who planted generously would not produce an abundance? Do we speculate that the yield will come up just short of what we need? That there is too much need...?

We are a species driven by results, eager to reap the benefits of our labor, demanding now what is designed in process. In season we may forget that Time is the perfect teacher delivering instruction through small exercises – cultivating trust in the waiting. Beauty is found in the growth. The gift is in this moment.

My girl knows how joy is found. She looks for it, always in a curious pursuit of glory moments. She bends over weedy clover flowers to collect a honeyed bouquet for Mommy. And I am stilled in the midst of the daily striving, by a little child demonstrating the gospel of grace, always open and ready to receive. Hope is when we find joy right here.

“As you wait in My Presence, enjoy the greatest gift of all: Christ in you, the hope of glory!” (Sarah Young, Jesus Calling; see Col. 1:27).

We go together to the raised garden on the side of the house and see remnants of last year's growth. Together we gasp at the wonder of renewal. Two tomato vines entwined about the wires need pruning, the cutting away of the dead pieces. Tiny yellow flowers have begun to blossom and a green tomato, no larger than a marble, hangs tautly on the vine.

I come hungry, seeking the fruits of the harvest yet planted, and hear the stillness of His voice: "I Am the gift. Seek Me above all gifts. I want you more than what you can do for Me."

We take stock of the needs in the garden for the time of planting: cucumbers, marigolds, a few strawberry plants, and fresh herbs to transplant. But one more thing is needed: the soil must be tilled and fertilized to be made ready.

Eagerness compels my daughter to leap up to the raised bed and begin digging in the dirt. But without the proper tools or materials there would be no gardening. So off she goes with Daddy to the local nursery for plants and supplies. They return with arms full of life and potential, and together we work in the garden.

Full of enthusiasm our little girl asks if she can help with every step: the tilling, the fertilizing, the planting, the watering. She works with gusto! Yet there are moments when Mommy and Daddy have to remind her not to go ahead of us in the process, “You need to wait. Be patient.”

Off she dances to an empty flower bed with pink princess shovel in hand singing, “I'm waiting to be patient...”

I belly laugh thinking of how many times I have prayed for patience as a mama! And I recall the value of learning to wait on the Lord and seeking that fruit of the Spirit. Just as the Word cautions that we not be too eager to go ahead of God. Everything happens at its appointed time.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens (Eccl. 3:1).

How do we make the ground of our hearts ready to receive God's will?

How can we wait for patience when we are eager to have the gifts he has prepared and to see the results of the work he has begun? Go to the Word of God which is life, and be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rom. 12:2).

Come to the well thirsty, dipping buckets deep into pools of grace. When we come in prayer with hearts abiding, we are ready to receive the abundance of the Spirit's power. This is not from ourselves, it is the gift of God (Eph.2:8).

 

O Lord, this is the remedy for we who feel compelled to find solutions to our worries before you have worked them out; who feel pulled in many ways and seek answers that haven't been revealed. Lord, forgive us for our fretting and our need to direct and control. Lead us beside the still waters that we may find our rest in you. Fill us with joy in your presence that we may rejoice in the present moment and keep on working with gusto. For you are the gift that is ever full-filling and always enough. And by remaining in you, abiding in true grace, we will bear the fruit that is promised and so rejoice in the work You have accomplished. Amen.