Editorial July 25, 1988 Issue

To make a life more productive

Ann Kenrick

We often learn profound lessons from nature. Christ Jesus drew on the natural things around him, the flowers of the field, the plants and birds, to teach his disciples about Christian living.

One of his most vivid illustrations refers to the grapevine that grows with vigor in parts of the Holy Land. It is a plant that needs a great deal of attention and care if it is to become really productive. It has to be planted in carefully prepared soil if its growth is to be sturdy. When the vine has matured, it is pruned back vigorously each year so that it will produce the maximum amount of fruit.

There is a fine example of a well-nurtured vine at Hampton Court, near London. This famous "Great Vine" was planted in the year 1768 in the reign of George III. Its girth is 78 inches, and its principal branch is 115 feet long. It has been known to produce as many as 2,200 bunches of grapes in a year. Of course its strength lies in its roots, which draw nutriment from the earth to feed the branches and the fruit.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

To make a life more productive

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access