Fruitfulness is not where we begin, and never in winter.
It begins with a seed in the ground or a graft on a stem
nurtured with water and light, set in good soil.
It begins with last year’s wintered branches.
There is no fruit.
The seed does what it is made for, life emerges naturally.
The graft settles in, takes nourishment from the Vine.
The wintered twig takes rising life from deep roots.
There is still no fruit.
Bud and blossom are a hint of fruit-to-come.
The time of pruning is tough: a hard cut back,
weak branches removed so that the best may grow.
But there is no fruit.
Seasons follow their pattern, and fruit comes in time
when harvest is near and a branch abides in the Vine.
But it needs winter and pruning just as sunshine and rain.
After frosting and thinning, and at the right time
fruit grows – love and patience, goodness and faith,
peace, kindness, humility, moderation and joy.
This is the nature of fruitfulness.
— Christine Rigden
