I am repeating this poem for Lent 2015. I wrote this short poem on February 24, 2012, after prayer. I was deep in prayer that day, and came away thinking about fruits of the spirit. I don’t think it was specifically related to our Confirmand-led worship the previous week about fruits of the spirit. I do recall reading a devotion about being on the vine last week. I cannot recall where I read it though. What hit me Friday night was that I am on a vine, and it is a healthy vine, I see, and the vine is succulent, filled with life-sustaining water.

On the Vine

Tonight, I’m thinking about life on the vine.
I’m on the vine, a vibrant branch, these days.
I feel the vital fluids stream through the branches,
Love flowing rich and refreshing me.
I do feel fruitful, I do feel strong,
Living in love, living in Jesus’ love.
And I am filled with joy.
And my love is completed in joy.
I open myself to the presence of Jesus, and
I am fruitful these days.
It once was hard to open myself up, and to
Invite Jesus into me. Scary?
No. I’m on a fruitful vine here.

The peace is alive, and it passes through us;
The pruning was by a kind farmer, we see.
Oh, how great a vine we share tonight.

C Thomas Bolton February 25, 2012