The Self-revealing of the Word is in every dimension – above, in creation; below, in the Incarnation; in the depth, in Hades; in the breadth, throughout the world. All things have been filled with the knowledge of God. – Athanasius of Alexandria

Looking out the kitchen window, a splash of pink amidst the green catches my eye. I turn back to what I am doing for a moment before realizing what that color is. As I look out again, more intently this time, I feel amazed at the way these blossoms have come into existence.

A few years ago, we planted a sapling. For the most part, since then, it looked more like a twig in the ground than a tree. Along the way, it seemed that it was not going to take. Often, we thought maybe it was on its way out. Still, we watered, fertilized, and staked it for support and so it would grow straight. It grew, and eventually produced some leaves, but largely retained the appearance of a twig in the ground, only taller and now with a little green.

Seeing the blossoms leads me to re-visit the journey. It is interesting how the little signs along the way, at the time they occurred, did not seem big enough. For example, there was growth and there were some leaves here and there, yet the recurring theme seemed to be “not what’s expected.” Looking at the blossoms now, I feel grateful that we gave it more time, kept trying, and did not give up.

Thinking about the world today and the circumstances that abound, maybe, deep down, and all around, at a level that we do not even know, we are learning to trust what we cannot see, or cannot yet understand. The question remains, do we desire truth, and do we have the patience and perseverance to receive it?

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.
He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit,
and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you.
Remain in me, as I remain in you.
Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own
unless it remains on the vine,
so neither can you unless you remain in me.
I am the vine, you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit,
because without me you can do nothing.
Anyone who does not remain in me
will be thrown out like a branch and wither;
people will gather them and throw them into a fire
and they will be burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you,
ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.
By this is my Father glorified,
that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.” – John 15:1-8