“I am the vine you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5.

One quiet evening as the sun began to sink into the deep blink that is darkness I sat on our long New Orleans style front porch and witnessed the day dwindle away. Gazing through tree limbs which stretched far and wide across my view, colors of twilight began to paint the horizon. While watching the backdrop of a brilliant color filled sky a realization slowly grew in my mind. Of how strong our God is and how far reaching his Love is. He is the vine and we are the branches. Even though the tiniest branch found the greatest distance from the base of a tree seems fragile, it is connected to a strong, powerful life giving force. On earth we are each connected to a powerful force, supporting us and beckoning us to remain close. At times we can all become far from Him as life’s struggles consume us. Pain threatens to overwhelm and even a person with strong faith can begin to feel alone. But God is always there. He never leaves us in our struggles. His love and grace open to all who accept truth and He is our anchor and strength. God’s presence is seen everywhere. It is found in the beauty I behold each time I watch the graceful dance of a butterfly, in the sunlight streaming through the newly green leaves on the trees in our front yard, or a church steeple shooting up into twilight’s haze. All of these remind me of how far reaching our God’s love is. God’s word tells us the world will someday fade away but His love always present, guiding us toward hope. His love is enough for even the tiniest branch which seems so far away. He works through our weakness and in that knowledge we are strong. Though there may be pain in life we have hope and a stronghold that comes only through our Lord. God doesn’t promise bad things won’t happen but the truth of his word tells us he will never leave us alone.

Sitting on our front porch surrounded by the quiet collapse of daylight words etched into my mind, drawn from the Bible permeate my soul and comfort me in the midst of life’s struggles. “My Grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, to that Christ’s power may rest on me. For when I am weak, then I am strong” 2 Corinthians 9-10

Copyright Kim Houser