My son Micah has a special birth story. Unfortunately, as it unfolded, I had little time to record the details. So as I think back to “what we were doing this time last year,” I’m going to write it down before I forget. It’s hard to believe he is almost 11 months old!

One year ago this week, I was 27 weeks pregnant. Everything seemed to be going well. Just four weeks earlier on Thursday, March 27, we had our first ultrasound at 23 weeks, confirming that there was most certainly a baby inside and showing us clearly that the baby was a little boy!

I had no concerns about the pregnancy because my first pregnancy had been very typical and uncomplicated. My first labor lasted forever, so I wasn’t really even concerned about making it to the hospital 40 minutes away. We will have plenty of time, I kept telling my husband.

During the early morning hours of April 27, I woke every hour, and sometimes more often, with contractions. I hardly slept at all that night! It was a bit unnerving. But when I talked to the resident about it, I was told, “You will notice things happening earlier with your second pregnancy, especially Braxton Hicks contractions.” And a friend who has six kids wrote me: “I had Braxton Hicks contractions for a long time towards the end of my pregnancies. Especially the more babies I had!” So I chalked it up to second-pregnancy Braxton Hicks contractions.

There was still a part of me that questioned whether week 27 with baby #2 should feel like week 38 did with baby #1. Little did I know that this was the beginning of the end!

I make Daniel’s lunch every day, and I try to include one fruit and one vegetable. When Shoprite has grapes on sale for 99 cents/lb., Daniel has grapes every day that week! So frequently I am standing at the kitchen sink, pulling the “vine” out of the bag to wash the grapes. I can’t help noticing the difference between the plump, healthy, juicy grapes on the vine, and the sour withering grapes that have come off the vine and now lay at the bottom of the bag.

I’m not sure when this started, but every single time I see those withering grapes no longer connected to the vine, I think of one of my favorite chapters: John 15.

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 does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Those withering grapes are a reminder of what I do not want to be: Living life my own way. Apart from God. Unable to bear fruit. Thrown away like a branch and withering. Thrown into the fire and burned.

I look at those withered grapes and ask myself, why do I choose this again and again?

God is the “true vine.” His design is that I should “abide in Him,” bearing fruit as I look to Him, learn who He is, trust His character, lean on Him through the “pruning,” and grow through those trials to be more like Him. Eventually my life’s “fruit” will demonstrate whether or not I am abiding in Him.

A few noteworthy contrasts:

• Those who “abide in Him” bear much fruit. Apart from Him, we can do nothing.
• God is glorified when we bear much fruit. Those who do not bear fruit are thrown into the fire and burned.
• Bearing fruit demonstrates that we are truly followers of Christ. Not bearing fruit reveals that we are not following Him.
• Obedience to God is motivated by our love for Him. Going our own way is proof that we are not “abiding in” and loving Him.
  

At the end of the passage, Christ says, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

Christ desires to give us His joy and He desires that our joy would be “full.” In all of our “strivings,” is this not what we are seeking? Do we not search everywhere for that elusive thing that will make us happy, whether in the big decisions or our mundane dailyness? And Christ offers Joy, Fullness of Joy, if we will abide in Him . . .

Good reminders, from those withered grapes. I think that’s why God always sees fit to include a whole slew of them in the bottom of my bag!!!

It was one of those days.

It rained all day.

The dogs hate going outside to do their business in the rain, so they always take forever not going, while standing outside in the rain. Then they come back inside and shake wet dog all over the house before I can get them dry.

My daughter wet her clothes and shoes while sitting on potty. My son had at least 3 substantial poopy diapers in the morning alone. How is that possible?!

My husband works till 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, so Wednesdays are long days for us at home. We clearly weren’t going outside to play (in the cold rain), so in the afternoon, I thought we might dye Easter eggs for a fun activity. –Three hours later, my daughter’s clothes and the upholstered seat of our kitchen chair were dyed purple, with the eggs still waiting. In her excitment, she had started dancing on the chair and fell onto the floor, pulling the glass full of purple dye down on top of her.

My 10-month-old was once again screaming as I wiped the dye off the walls and the floor.

“Why is Micah crying?” I wondered out loud, not really expecting anyone to answer.

But my two-year-old instantly piped up: “Because his mother is diving him DAZ-y [driving him crazy]!”

“His mother”?!?! This is how my two-year-old refers to me!!!

I don’t even think she understood what she was saying. But her remark provided the laugh we both needed today!

There was a twinge of pain though, as I reflected on the truth her comment could hold throughout Mara and Micah’s childhood. There was certainly the potential for me to drive them both crazy, especially on days like today, if I’m not allowing God’s spirit to control my thoughts, my words, and actions.

I pray God will give me grace to see His hand in each detail of my life and strength to grow in Christlikeness, no matter what He brings.

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One of my favorite bloggers Octamom posts a “JPEG of the week” every Saturday. So this post is taken from that idea!

Here’s Mara enjoying her first “peep” of the Easter season!

And here’s Micah all dressed up for the “cousins” picture with one-week-old baby Sophia!  (More pics of baby Sophia to come!)