Abide in Me

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. John‬ ‭15‬:‭1-4‬

During this season of waiting God is at work. This work is slow but steady and not so easy to see. He is working from the inside out. More on the internal than anything external.

He is pruning, cutting away the dead, unhealthy ideas and patterns rooted deep in my heart. He is revealing areas in my life, in our family life, that need to be removed in order to make room for new growth and abundant life. He continues to cultivate and bring clarity to who He created me to be. Instructing my heart to lean into Him more and live fully into the gifts and strengths He has given me.

Growth means change. Change can be unsettling, even when it is for our good. The work He is doing in me, I know it is beneficial. He is making room for something new and someone beautiful.

The uncertainly of change can also bring fear. All to often I find myself afraid. Not only of the internal changes but of all the potential changes externally. Fear creeping in, intertwining its lies with the truth of who God really is. Fear begins to hamper and stunt my growth. It chokes out the life and freedom that I have in Christ. His love is absent of all fear (‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ NIV).

Fear and anxiety can come from a need and the inability to control the internal or external. In the adoption process, there is little that can be controlled. There are so many unknown variables. Worse yet, it can seem that in this waiting, there is nothing that can be done. No busy work to occupy my mind. Nothing to bring our daughter home any sooner.

Although, I am mistaken, there is much to do. This journey to bring our daughter home begins in my heart and in our home.

Abide means to remain, dwell, live in. To wait, endure, bear patiently. To remain steadfast and faithful. Growth and restoration that results in fruitfulness, it all begins internally and can NOT be done apart from the true source of Life, the Vine, Jesus.

When we remain or abide in Him, by His strength and grace alone, He removes our stubborn, life-strangling weeds of fear. He replaces our fear with the sweet fruit of His perfect love and abundant peace.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭22-23a‬

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. ‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭26

Lord, you are my Vine. Apart from you I can do nothing. When I abide in you, my fear seems small and insignificant compared to your GREAT LOVE for me. You are always near to me and I need not be afraid.

When fear and anxious thoughts creep in, remind me that NOTHING can separate me from your love (‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭38-39‬). Fill me with your peace and your power.

I will ABIDE in you,

REMAIN ever near to you,

WAIT beneath the cover of your wings,

DWELL in the presence of your peace.

You are my source of abundant LIFE.

My HOME is in you.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen