Every October grape harvesting happens at the friary. A familiar smell fills the basement as the grapes are carried in, stomped, then processed to make our wine for Communion. Much work has gone into growing the grapes. In fact, a whole year’s work of pruning, fertilizing, spraying, suckering, watering, netting, and other tasks which culminate in a few days of picking and processing the fruit! Bad weather these last weeks, greedy birds, or a slip-up from a novice vineyard assistant are a few ways to ruin a year’s hard work.
After helping harvest our grapes this week, I started thinking that this wine-making venture is similar to following God. There’s no good wine without risk and hard work. But there’s also a large element of trust: trust in the weather — something way out of our control. Throughout my life I’ve had many examples of God’s blessing and watch-care over me. Still, I’m not certain that a new venture I am starting today will be okay, especially a whole year from now. I worry about the risk, the uncertainties, the necessary work. So, like the process of growing grapes, I ask for the grace to trust Him who does have it all in control.
