Fears and Tears

Growing up in a large Italian family, we had many celebrations together. This was especially true of weddings, which I loved attending as a child, specifically the wedding reception. The vast array of food, the polka music, the dancing, the wedding cake and the wine fountain. There was so much joy in the air you could feel it. It wasn’t fancy, typically held in a hall, but it was magical.

I was especially drawn to the wine fountain. It was a sight to take in, a never ending stream of pink sparkling wine. The bride and groom would toast to beginning their lives together, interlocking their arms as they raised their glasses. It was a beautiful moment of two lives coming together as one, with family and friends watching and raising their glasses to join in this blessing.

This past summer, I was fortunate to visit the Colorado vineyards. It is a beautiful part of the state with mountains surrounding the fields. It creates a perfect “terrarium” environment for growing grapes, peaches and cherries. There are also fields of lavendar which make the air smell sweet in the hot, dry climate. The Colorado river flows through the town providing irrigation for the crops.

We visited several vineyards, learning about the wine making process and sampling the finished product. To take time to savor the wine, paying attention to the different notes of flavor whether it is the oak, the fruit, some honey or a sense of chocolate. Each wine had a unique flavor to it.

A winemaker is a trade steeped in time and patience. It is quite the process from seed to bottle where it can be several years before the fruit of their labor is enjoyed. The vines must be planted in rich soil, watered, receive sunshine, be supported as they grow and be pruned to get rid of the dead branches to allow for new growth. They must be protected to thrive, as they stretch up to the sky, yielding good fruit. They must withstand different storms that threaten them, to remain fully rooted and strong. The fruit matures and is ready for the harvest, pressed to yield its fruit, poured out and aged until it is fully mature.

What a beautiful lesson on life. How much I am like that vine branch, cared for, protected, nurtured, tended to and watched over; God is my vine grower. May I abide in Him this third week of Advent and have much joy as I interlock arms with Him, sharing in this beautiful journey of life in the vineyard.

I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without Me you can do nothing. I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete. John 15:5, 11