A withering branch...

I walked out to the garden this morning, noticing from a distance the drooping flowers and tomato plants.  I wasn't feeling too well yesterday (this sinus-ear-upper respiratory thing still hangs on) so I didn't make it out to the back forty with the watering hose.

In normal years that would not be a problem... this is not a normal year.

I can't help but think of the Scriptures in the Gospel of John where Jesus reminds us He is the Vine and we are the branches.  The branches wither in drought and die when they are no longer attached to the Vine.

There are times I find I'm at the withering point, usually wondering why I have such a restless soul... something is not right with my world.  As I think of it, most often the cause of this withering branch is a lack of time spent in His Word.

Those of us who have followed the Lord for decades can forget it is that Word which is our spiritual food.  We may know a lot about it from years of study but that doesn't mean we don't have to have fresh Manna.  :)

After I finished watering the remainder of the garden and the deck flowers, I walked to turn off the water.  The hose is hooked up to a spout where the house sits next to the black walnut tree.

As I turned off the flow of water, I couldn't help but notice the leaves falling around me.  Looking up I was astonished to find the tree absolutely full of brittle yellow leaves needing only a gentle breeze to send them falling to the lawn.  It seems nature is also parched, in need of Manna.

At least I can return to a house with air conditioning, packages in the mail, apple cider K-cups, a Maine Coon kitty, and leftovers for dinner tonight... and a husband who likes leftovers.  :)