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.
But then, the wind came and was curel, the rain came and was harsh, the snow came and was not one bit understanding; and the little grape vine suffered very much. She drooped, weak and suffering.
It would be so easy to stop trying to grow, to stop trying to live even. And the grape stem felt poor! The winter was long, and the stem was very 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?. You see the little grape stem had always managed quite well on it's own.....all by itself.
But then, ever so cautiously, she reached out toward the other grape stem. "See I can help you", the other stem said. "Just wind your tendrils about me and I will help you lift your head." And.... the little stem slowly trusted, then suddenly she could stand again.
The wind came, and the rain, and the snow; but when it came, the little grape stem was clinging to many other stems. Although the stems were swayed by the wind, and frozen by the snow, they stood strongly united to each other. In their united strength, they could smile and grow.
And then, one day the little stem looked down and saw a tiny stem swaying and frightened. Our little grape stem said "Here, hang on, I will help you." The other tiny stem reached up to our grape stem and together the stems frew. Their leaves budded and finally, grapes formed; and the grapes fed many others.
Author Unknown
Be encouraged! You are never alone in ths world. There is always someone around that cares for your well-being and wants to help lift you up when you are feeling low. Never allow the trials of life to make you want to give up; but rather look up when you hear the voice that says "Here, hang on. I will help you." Then grasp their stems and be lifted up and sustained.
John 13:34-35
I give you a new commandment that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another.
By this shall all (men) know that you are My disciples. If you love one another.
