2010:365:227 Holidays are for ...

... doing a bit of pruning

 It should have been done months ago.  And because it wasn’t done the grapes are tiny and some haven’t even begun to swell at all.

In addition, the plant received no extra food this year either.  And, with ivy growing over part of the glass roof the light has also been restricted!

What chance have they had?

At least the rain water has soaked into the ground and presumably the roots have had some moisture that has kept the vine alive – just!

Vines need to be pruned.  I suppose that most plants do, but the vine is particularly responsive to good pruning.  Without that it simply struggles to produce fruit and much of its energy is lost in trying to support all the clusters.  It is much better to remove some at the early stage and allow the remaining grapes to mature into big juicy fruits. 

Last year’s dead wood is still clinging on as well.  So there’s a big job ahead to bring it back to normal production and to restore the greenhouse to some kind of order.

You’ll not be surprised to hear that this morning’s wander has reminded me of Jesus who described himself as the vine.  We believers, the branches, require pruning if our lives are going to produce the kind of fruit that comes from Christian discipleship.  And we too need regular feeding on scripture to give us the resources to grow strong and healthy.  If we don’t bathe regularly in God’s presence then we’re light-deprived and growth becomes stunted. 

Meanwhile the apples are beginning to swell and in another month or two will be ready for the local youngsters to raid.  Sometimes they do it early and the immature and bitter fruits are scattered far and wide.  Rarely do I have the chance to pick the mature fruit and enjoy more than half a dozen of the apples.  Such is life! 

I do enjoy taking pictures of them so at least I have a memory of how many apples there might have been. 

Risen Lord, light of all peoples,

who on the third day rose again from the dead,

come, stand among us;

dispel the darkness of night with your celestial brightness,

that we may walk before you as in the day,

and as children of light;

to the glory of your name, risen Lord,

with the Father and the Holy Spirit,

one God for ever and ever.  Amen.

The Rhythm of Life (Celtic Daily Prayer)

David Adam.