Allen Bros. greenhouse in Westminster, Vermont is a popular stop for locals and travelers coming off of Interstate 91. Mr. Allen recently showed me how they grow their juicy, sweet tomatoes. One of their “secrets” is grafting two plants together; the Maxifort and Geronimo. The Maxifort is disease resistant, but doesn’t bear any fruit. The Geronimo produces excellent tomatoes, but dies easily. At just the right time, the workers use a razor blade to cut the Maxifort root stock at an angle and graft the Geronimo into it. The grafting is done above the soil, because it needs heat and light to survive and thrive. They have a 95% success rate.

"I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer. He cuts off every branch of Me that doesn't bear grapes. And every branch that is grape bearing He prunes back so it will bear even more. You are already pruned back by the message I have spoken.” John 15:1-3 (The Message)

Father God, it's amazing how similar this Scripture is to the process that gardeners still use today. We need to be grafted into You to produce any fruit in this life. You are the Heat and Light we need to fulfill all that You have planned and purposed us to do in this life and the next. Amen.

"I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with Me and I with you, the relation is intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing.” John 15:5 (The Message)