Held and healed
Hello, Lord
Hello David
Lord, you used vines to illustrate things you wanted to teach? In John Chapter 15.
I did. What’s the question?
Well, it’s not so much a question at the moment, although one might occur to me as we talk. It’s an insight, I think, which I want to run past you.
That sounds intriguing.
Intriguing?
Yes, I really enjoy these conversations and where they take us.
I thought since you know everything, Psalm 139 style, before it comes out of my mouth, it can’t be that intriguing?
Well David, with someone you love who’s learning some important stuff, wouldn’t you find it rewarding to be invited into the process? And intriguing to follow their thinking?
Yes, I would. It would give me a thrill, even move me.
So, let’s carry on with this insight, shall we?
OK. Well, 6 years ago we had a fence put in on the boundary close to which we had planted an ancient vine. We had bought it at a garden centre to be a feature, as they say. It was expensive and only had a few shoots. It was intended to look old and almost dead. The builder thought so too and almost broke it off near the root!
So, what did you do?
I remember thinking that I would have to dig it up, but guess who had a different idea?
Juliette?
The very same. She hates throwing things out. So she suggested we give it a chance. I knew that the root was still alive. The stem was broken but not detached so I found one of those webbing straps which you use to secure luggage. With Juliette holding the vine straight I bound the vine upright, wrapping it tightly several times round. We added a stake to hold the vine steady. We then packed good soil back around the “bandage” and watered the vine, and began this long wait.
It grew back then?
Well, you can see, can’t you?
Yes. You gave it the chance it needed. It looks pretty healthy now. And there’s been a drought as well.
Yes, but more than that the vine has given us a crop of grapes. Fat, juicy, fruit.
That’s surprising and good.
Yes.
So, this insight you mentioned, what is it?
Well, we’ve been talking about healing recently, about a batik, about a cellar, physical and metaphorical, and how things can be hidden for years awaiting the right moment, your moment, Lord, for that breakthrough.
Go on.
The vine was broken.
Yes, you were.
What?
You were broken. Your insight is about that, isn’t it?
Yes. I was broken, but somehow, I think I was being held together beneath the surface, and even above, by my wife, like she held the vine upright. She has always been so supportive.
I would never break a bruised reed, let alone a broken vine. So many of my children are bruised and broken.
But what does it mean, this insight? I can hardly think about it without tears coming. What does it mean?
Well, let’s take it one step at a time. Was the vine completely detached from its root?
No. Juliette and I made it possible for it to reconnect and heal.
Who is your root, literally in this case, the ground of your being?
You are, Lord.
So, at a very deep level you were held in place and reconnected to me.
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How?
Prayer dear boy. Prayers said by people known to you, and by others unknown. The prayers the Holy Spirit prayed in and through you. My prayers. You own heart cries, your tears.
So even though I didn’t know it, like I didn’t know what would be found when clearing out the cellar, I was being held. And I was praying for myself when what I thought all I was doing was just being sad.
Sad in my presence. That’s as much prayer as anything. And you have always been held, my precious lad.
Always?
Yes, always. Always, then, now and forever.
Why?
Because.
Because?
Because that is who I am. It is what I do. I have loved you since before you came into being and I shall always love you. Call it grace if it helps you get over that feeling of being unworthy but please know it for what it is.
Which is?
Unconditional, never ending, love.
So that’s why the tears come when I think about that poor broken vine held in the darkness…
Yes, you were broken. But I held you, and I am healing you..
Are you alright?
Yes. I think so. It’s that I haven’t the words… and I can’t see what fruit I can offer the world from this. It has all been about me and for me. It doesn’t seem fair.
True, my love is extravagant. But, look, are we not writing this piece together? People will read it.
Hopefully.
Some of them will be moved, or challenged, or helped on their way by it. There’s your fruit.
So, anyone who reads this might wake up to how, beneath the surface, they are being held.
Yes.
Held by love, as love heals them.
Quite an insight, wasn’t it?
Yes, Lord.
John 15:1 to 5
“I am the true vine. My Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch joined to me that does not bear fruit. He trims every branch that does bear fruit. Then it will bear even more fruit. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain joined to me, and I will remain joined to you. No branch can bear fruit by itself. It must remain joined to the vine. In the same way, you can’t bear fruit unless you remain joined to me. “I am the vine. You are the branches. If anyone remains joined to me, and I to him, he will bear a lot of fruit. You can’t do anything without me.
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