Vintage Vines, Branches...and Gidget!

     Stepping over the threshold that morning I was immediately transported to Italy. 1960's Italy. A "Gidget Goes to Rome" Italy, and I loved it! Cherubs and tapestries covered the walls, gilt sconces with crystal dangles completed the scene - a very Hollywood-glamorous-retro-Roman hotel. The room where Gidget sits, legs propped under her, on a twin bed and sings about the woes of being a teenager in love!

     So it wasn't surprising- I liked Gidget- that I quickly removed this from a wall and placed it in my hold pile!

     This beautiful wall sconce features gilt grapevines holding large clusters of fruit! A strong metal curve on back provides the foundation for the branches, leaves and fruit that connect firmly to it. The two scalloped cups in the design hold candles with the idea that this wall sculpture is also a useful lighting accessory!

     The treasure I'm sharing today is valuable for several reasons; Italian retro pieces are desirable to designers... it reminds me of Gidget...and, it symbolizes the relationship I have with Christ...

     "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. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:4-5

     Jesus was using the picture of a grape vine to explain how we need to abide in Him. Abiding is remaining stable, continuing in a place, bearing patiently - a state of "being" in Christ rather than "doing". Abiding is a close relationship, one where we experience His presence, and recognize our need for Him. Out of that relationship comes the strength and purpose for the "doing", along with a guaranteed harvest of "much fruit".

     The grapevine sconce has branches coming out of the strong, vine-like, curved foundation. The branches hold the grape clusters. But if one of the branches broke off of the foundation, it would no longer hold the large cluster of fruit in place. The design would have a huge gap, and it would be apparent that something was missing!

     When we attempt to "do" on our own it quickly becomes apparent that something is missing! Works performed for the sake of looking good to others, or because everyone else is doing it, will produce little, if any, fruit - and leave us discouraged when our hard work is without results.

     But, when we realize that our very life flows out of the Vine, and we abide in a close relationship with Christ, He will allow much fruit - great blessing to come from that relationship and the works that flow out of it!

     "By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit..."