Back to the vineyard

I discovered more food for thought as I read further in Wayne Jacobsen's In My Father's Vineyard this morning.  Together we re-visited the subject of seasons.  (I come back often to the truth of the book of Ecclesiastes that there is nothing new under the sun but I discover daily that there are always new ways to look at the stuff that's not really new.)

While thoroughly enjoying a good glass of the fruit of the vine, I'm pretty clueless as to the process that led up to its existence.  Mr. Jacobsen is in the season of Spring in Chapter 8 and describes so well the state of the vineyard.  It has been pruned throughout the winter, each plant is tied securely to its wire, the plants are trimmed and uniform and the first shoots and tiny leaves are peeking out.  Everything is neat and clean, awaiting fruitfulness. 

As he does so well, Mr. Jacobsen took me to my Bible and directed me to where Jesus talked to His disciples as He prepared them for their tasks ahead.  Jesus spoke to them of His Father's vineyard and how unproductive branches are cut off to allow the productive ones more opportunity and nourishment to grow.  He reassured the disciples  that they had already been trimmed and made fit for the season ahead.  Then Mr. Jacobsen wrote something that resonated in me.  He pointed out that Jesus was not asking fruitfulness from His disciples at that moment:

"Jesus wasn't asking fruitfulness of them that day.  This was springtime, not harvest.  They were simply ready for the process of fruitfulness to begin."-Wayne Jacobsen (In My Father's Vineyard).

Maybe that's me.  I haven't felt particularly fruitful since October of 2012.  But perhaps the time since then has been my season of pruning, of preparation for fruitfulness.  This may not be my season of fruitfulness but I am aware every minute of every day of the care and nourishment I am receiving from the Master Gardener in my personal vineyard and when it's time to be fruitful again, watch out, world!  I will be ready.

How nice that this observation from Wayne Jacobsen comes at the beginning of the

Spring season.  I can almost see my new leaves sprouting😊

"See!  The winter is past; 

the rains are over and gone.

Flowers appear on the earth;

The season of singing has come,

the cooing of doves is heard in our land.

The fig tree forms its early fruit;

the blossoming vines spread their fragrance."

Song of Songs 2:10-13.

On the health front:

Today we meet with Dr. Polowy before my treatment.  We will pick his brain further about what to expect during this final phase.

Aside from a  lack of stamina, I'm feeling fine.

Thanks, Lord, for many, many blessings.