THE VINE

The window over the kitchen sink frames one of my greatest discoveries or I should say (reminder) of how my relationship with Christ should be. My dependence on Him for everything I do and how vital it is to stay connected to Him.
When I arrived here in California I had no idea I was going to have a house all to myself let alone on a beautiful vineyard (owned by the producers family). I was excited and thankful for the opportunity because I had been a bit anxious about this whole process. Leaving my new business for 2 month or more, not really knowing anyone here except the producer,record an album ....... something I have only atempted a million times before but for different reasons never seeing it unfold and to tell you the truth leaving me feeling over and over again like a failure. So to take my mind off such negative thinking that this too is more than likely going to go down the drain. I go pray, excersice, write, or what I may consider these days my greateset outlet besides prayer - photography. Mezmorized here by what I am not accustomed to seeing....palm trees, snowcap mountains, cactus on the side of the roads…..etc. I click away. However, what my camera’s eye has zoomed in on the most are the vineyards that surrounds this house. Row after row as far as I can see are VINES. There is an old dirt road that divides the propery between two families. I quickly made the stretch my work out gym, my talking with the Lord time, my get out of the house away from the loud electric guitars, pounding drums, and annoying click tracks. I stop and look over the vineyard, and it is so peaceful. The San Joaquin valley fog that lingers here most days till noon settles over top of the vines, the mountains just above that…… in a quiet and intimate moment with God the words sweep over me…..from the book of John…. Jesus said....” I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me, and I in him, produces much fruit; for apart from me you can do nothing.”
The scene of the vineyard has been a tremendous comfort to me; it has become my constant reminder through this process that I can not produce anything good let alone an album without Him….. And the relief that I am not supposed to…..it is not my job to produce the fruit because He is the Vinedresser. I don’t have to be anxious, scared, worried because I am never out there alone I am attached to something bigger than my mind can comprehend. As long as I am abiding in Christ I really can do anything....even record an album and seeing it to completion.
He is the Vine, you are the branch……..stay connected! You never know what good things God has planned for you.