A little yard work doesn’t hurt anyone…
My name is Julie and this is my blog. The theme…well, it’s about life’s journey and the many lessons we can glean from situations for our lives to grow and change … all for the better.
I had to look up this word “glean”. I thought it was gleem, but that was an old brand of toothpaste. Anyone else remember that!? Then, I found “glean”: defined as “to gather information or material bit by bit” or “to pick over in search of relevant material (ie: gleaning old files for information)”. Glean rhymes with clean, which makes me think that “glean” can help us “clean” out our minds and hearts – to make way for what is most important, and even room for new joy.
My college-aged son was helping me with some yard work just the other day. I love yard work, to be outside cutting and trimming off the “old” parts of the bushes and trees. Here is a funny thing I like to do: walk around with the small trimming shears and tell my kids I am offering free haircuts for the day. They run and then give me that strange look of wonder, “what happened to Mom?” I just wouldn’t be a mom of three teens and one pre-teen without being a little weird, right? I like to make my children laugh. But I haven’t been that way the past year and a half. It has just recently re-surfaced in a more powerful way.
Days after our trimming session in the yard I sat at the patio table reading through my Bible and devotions. I stared at the grapevines climbing up our patio pillars. I sat in wonder. They were so vibrant in their green color. And so many tiny green grapes…probably hundreds! And soon, we can eat those juicy, yummy grapes!
But they weren’t always this way. In the winter, the grapevines have no leaves and no fruit. They turn brown, and we must cut off much of the vine branches. What is left of the vine branch is small and dull in appearance. They were dried out.
And so this reminded me of seasons in our lives where things are barren and dry and confusing, painful, uncertain. Even tragic at times. You see, my dear oldest sister, Tammy, was taken from us by a drunk driver in November 2013. I miss her to the deepest part of my whole being. She was more than a sister, but also a best friend and like a mom to me, a devoted aunt to my children. She loved her Lord, her family, and her friends fully. Her sincere and caring heart and incredibly contagious laugh I miss so much. I was devastated and walked for a long time without happiness, finding most of my days dreary and filled with tears – unsure if I would come out of that pit.
Today, almost a year and a half later, I am finding new joy. Pain and sorrow so deep still, but my desolate and joyless vines are growing some green sprightly and lively leaves and fruit. The Lord has been so faithful to walk with me, holding my hand in the dry and weary desert of grief. Thank you God Almighty, the maker of Heaven and Earth!! So many caring family members and friends by my side; I give great thanks for you all!!
“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
Spoken with truth and clarity, this verse teaches us to take God by our side. Don’t walk alone. I can’t wait to share more with you next week. I am thankful that you are reading this and welcome your comments.
Many blessings to you!
Julie
