Vineyards
Vineyards in Napa Valley, CA, Author Brocken Inaglory (CC BY-SA-3.0 Unported)
Grape vines have been cultivated since around 6000 BC for their fruit, juice, and wine. Phoenicians are thought to have been the first to introduce grapes for winemaking to the Mediterranean area. Greek wine jars have been located in Italy dating to 800 BC. Vineyards in Spain and Gaul were exporting wine to Rome by the Second Century.
Vineyards are characterized by their geography. Soil, elevation, and rainfall all play a role. On autumn days, the sight of vineyards in California’s Napa Valley turning scarlet and gold is one of the most beautiful in the world.
Jesus referred frequently to wine and vineyards. The Lord is described at Zechariah 6: 12 as the promised Priest-King (“the Man whose name is the BRANCH”). He described Himself at John 15: 1 as the true vine, and the Father as the vinedresser. As the lesser branches, we depend for our existence on Him.
“ ‘Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit’ ” (John 15: 2).
Lord Jesus, we ask that You bless our undertakings.
Keep us focused on You, not worldly rewards or advancement. Help us to bear with pruning, that we may bring forth much fruit to Your everlasting glory.
Amen
Happy Thanksgiving!
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse https://avoicereclaimed.com
A Lawyer's Prayers 
Dear Anna, My wife and I will probably just go to a restaurant for Thanks Giving so she won’t have to cook. You are so right about God pruning us back on a regular basis to make us more productive and responsive to His Spirit. He seems to be making my heart more and more sensitive to the feelings of other and boy do I need that! I tend to be a bull in an emotional China closet with those around me. After while I just get sick of blindly hurting people, especially those who have been abused.
God bless you, my dear sister. I pray that your Thanks Giving goes well,
Michael ❤