Today I went for a walk in the vineyard with my boy. I could tell that he didn't want to go along (what 15 year old boy wants to hang with his mom) but he never complained once. It has been near or over 100 degrees here for weeks and weeks. We have been asked to voluntarily ration watering our yards and they recommend that we don't go out unless we absolutely have to be somewhere. But I couldn't take one more day in the house, so I asked the boy to go with me...and he did. He didn't complain.
Everywhere we looked, there were signs that nature was at war with the heat. Some battles were being won, but mostly...not so much. We could see where the pond had receded. The fields were brown and most of the wildflowers had succumbed. Every once in a while, we came across a pop of color. Morgan sat on the dock over the pond waiting and hoping for a cool breeze that never came. He didn't complain.
As we walked along, there were stiff brown spikes interspersed with live flowers, still clinging to life with everything they had in them. I thought to myself, "Is that how God sees us?" Life can get dry sometimes...can seem dull and barren, yielding no fruit. Do we wither and dry up; become dead and useless? Or do we go to where the water is and get drenched, get filled up? He wants us to come to Him in quiet moments and just be still, or sing to Him, or let Him minister to us. That's how we get watered and have our roots grow deeper in Him. And that's how we keep our color and vibrancy. Even when our circumstances don't seem to be perfect, we can still be fruitful, still be full of color and life.
I watched my boy as we walked today. He was full of life, full of richness and joy. He examined the jewel toned grapes that looked strangely beautiful hanging next to brown lifeless leaves. He walked and posed for my endless picture taking and laughed with me. He didn't complain.
As I walked behind him and watched, I thought "I hope as he grows older and life gets harder and responsibilities take their toll, that he remembers Who he can go to to get water and life. I hope that his color doesn't fade with time and he spends moments with the One who can fill him up again and renew his days. I hope he remembers not to complain." Those were my thoughts for him.
My thoughts turned towards myself. Just because I've lived and had pain and gone through much, doesn't mean I have to be lifeless and dull. I will continue to go to Him and drink Him in and be full of life and color. Life is rich if you allow Him to fill you. So I walked some more, with my boy...and I didn't complain.
From His Lap,
