The little grape stem

[toad]

Once upon a time there was a little grape stem. This stem was so glad to be alive... She drank water and minerals from the soil and grew and grew. She was young and strong and could manage quite well... all by Herself -- or so she thought.

But then, the wind was cruel, the rain was harsh, the snow was not one bit understanding, and the little grape stem suffered. She drooped, weak and suffering.

It would be so easy to stop trying to grow, to stop trying to live. The grape stem became weak! The winter was long, and the stem was weary.

But then the little grape stem heard a voice. It was another grape stem calling out to her... "Here, reach out... hang on to me." But the stem hesitated. "What would this mean?" she thought, for you see, the little stem had always managed quite well... all by herself.

But then, every so cautiously, she reached out towards the other grape stem. "See, I can help you" it said. "Just wind your tendrils about me and I will help you lift your head." And the little stem trusted... and suddenly she could stand straight again.

The wind came, and the rain, and the snow, but when it came, the grape stem was clinging to many other stems. And although the stems were swayed by the wind, frozen by the snow, they stood strongly united to each other. And in their group supporting strength they could all smile and grow.

Then, one day the little stem looked down and saw a tiny stem, swaying, frightened. And 'our' grape stem said, "Here, hang on... I will help you." And the other little stem reached up to 'our' grape stem, and together all the stems grew... leaves budded... flowers bloomed... and finally, grapes formed... and all the grapes fed many.

Author unknown

[cmc]

Thank you for sharing this, toad. Life is hard sometimes, but it is a comfort to know that there are others we can hold onto and hold up as well.
In recovery or as a believer in Christ, we can't make it by ourselves. I thank God for all of you here and for all of the wonderful people God has placed in my life.
;-)
cmc

[toad]

Originally Posted by cmc

Thank you for sharing this, toad. Life is hard sometimes, but it is a comfort to know that there are others we can hold onto and hold up as well.
In recovery or as a believer in Christ, we can't make it by ourselves. I thank God for all of you here and for all of the wonderful people God has placed in my life.
;-)
cmc

I thought the "little grape stem" reminded me of someone in recovery and going to meetings. How about the "Body of Christ" ............toad

[best]

John 15:1
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.


Christ is our vine that reaches down and pulls us up. We need carry that message to others.

Also had the thought of how we need carry the message of recovery to others as well.