Stick to the Vine
An image of a container of tomatoes on the vine
For years, more specifically an entire decade plus one, I could not eat tomatoes. That wasn’t the only downfall after having a partial hysterectomy. Afterwards, I developed all sorts of allergies and responses to foods I’d eaten my entire life. In addition to tomatoes, there was gluten. I love bread - the Pillsbury biscuits, Jiffy cornbread, the cheddar bay biscuits at Red Lobster, the brown bread at the Cheesecake Factory, Hawaiian rolls at holidays; because of the severity of my gluten allergy, I could no longer enjoy foods that were never before problematic. In the words of the Phat Cat Players, “all my actions ceased.” It was no longer accessible to me. Add to the list, chicken (don’t get me started), avocados, mushrooms, onions and probably something else my memory is blocking. I did a total elimination of the problematic foods - and it was hard. Not only as a result of no longer consuming what I loved, but to ensure that there wasn’t cross contamination or that people fully understood my choices were a result of my health and not my pickiness.
At any rate, a year ago in July 2024, I experienced a terrible rain storm while driving, my car hydroplaned, I spun around a countless amount of times, crossed several lanes into the highway’s service lane, and into a ditch. I stopped just short of slamming into a rock wall. In a flash, it felt as though my life ended. Miraculously by the grace of God, I was not hurt and other than my exhaust having a ton of grass and debris which was addressable, I walked away untouched. After I got my wits together, I drove to Bojangles and ordered a chicken biscuit. I figured if I were going to meet Jesus, I wanted to experience the combination of my favorites one last time. And to my surprise, I didn’t have a reaction. No weird sounds emitting from my gut, no closed throat, no headache, no digestive issues, nothing like what would normally occur if there was consumption of gluten. Over the next several months, I tried my hand at a few of my “no no” items, in monitored moderation. To my delight, it appeared that the strict regimen allowed me to overcome whatever halted me in the past.
Over the weekend, I tried a different tomato. For the past couple of months, I’ve relished in a produce called “flavor bombs,” small, red vine tomatoes that burst with flavor. This time, I tried "Bahama Bombs,” a slightly different version with a different color. In a conversation with my spouse, he shared, “Have you ever noticed that the tomatoes connected to the vine last the longest?” He went on to discuss his hypothesis in relation to one of the tomatoes from a previous purchase being in the plastic, not connected to the vine and withered, while the others who shared the same space, on the vine were just fine. John 15:5 affirms, ““I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” The fruit in the container disconnected to the vine withered, while those connected were sustained. Similarly as I remained connected to my dietary restrictions, I thrived, and when it was compromised, I suffered.
We cannot always control our environment. I laugh at the “protecting my peace” calvary. I understand the logic but life does not allow for us to fully construct the people, places and things that align with our preferences or pickiness. We can try, but sometimes we may find ourselves stuck in situations whereby we must choose whether we will remain connected to our purpose and our presentation of who God is within us or assume the characterization of someone unaware that the vine is available to them. “Sticking to the vine,” is not easy, in fact, I would suggest that it is more difficult to assume the fruit of the spirit than to wild out and ride for the enemy. However, our connection to the vine allows for life and life giving and ultimately, for our good. And you just might find that your ability to not be tempted or detoured may result in enjoying life’s pleasures, like tomatoes, chicken and the “give us this day, our daily bread.” Stick to the vine Saints! Stick to the regimen of who God expects us to be in the earth. Lots of folx are withering and desperately seeking connectivity. Why not extend and offer what was extended and offered to us?