Branch Living

I was sitting in Sunday School this week when I had one of those moments--have you had them?--when life just seems so sweet, it brings tears to the eyes. I don't know exactly what brings it on, but this happens to me now and then--driving down the road and spotting that little maple that grows up out of the ditch and turns a brilliant red every fall . . . sitting on the back steps in early summer chatting with Larry, who is working in the yard . . . sitting in Sunday School looking at the first chapter of John and listening to Rodney talk about Old Testament prophecies.

Sometimes life itself is just incredibly sweet.

In my prayer time this morning, I was expressing my gratitude to God for a number of things I really do love and appreciate: soft sheets, warm water, plenty of food. But then it occurred to me that I was completely taken up with my physical comfort. It's not wrong to be grateful for comfort; James tells us that "every good gift . . . is from above." To be only concerned with the physical, however, is to miss the deeper, richer gifts that God gives.


So I began to concentrate on the non-physical blessings of God: the love of family, good times with friends, but deeper than that, the satisfaction--the joy--of praying to the God of the universe. Part of our Sunday School discussion this week concerned John's witness of Jesus after he had seen the Holy Spirit descending on Him. We discussed the way we are able sometimes to sense a fellowship with other Christians even before we know them well, and someone mentioned that, unlike Old Testament believers, we have the Holy Spirit indwelling us. What an amazing thing! I am so grateful that God lives in me, that I am part of His life.

Jesus said to the disciples, "I am the vine; you are the branches" (John 15). His life--His pure, perfect life-- is flowing in you and me, giving us the power we need to make every day a day of praise and thanksgiving.

--Sherry Poff