The 1 way to Flourish

In Gospel of John 15:5, Jesus does not whisper a vague spiritual suggestion. He draws a line in the soil and plants truth in it. “I am the vine; you are the branches.” This is kindness in its clearest form. He names the relationship. He defines the source. He removes the guesswork. Our existence begins in belonging and is sustained by connection. When we know we belong, a holy rest settles into our bones. Striving loosens its grip. Comparison loses its volume. The restless urge to prove and perform begins to starve. We are not freelancers of the soul. We are branches, designed to draw life from a living Vine.

This is more than an invitation to occasionally visit God when we are depleted. It is a directive to remain, to return, to stay rooted in the place crafted for our flourishing. When we are aligned with the true Vine, our lives naturally begin to bear fruit. Love ripens. Kindness becomes instinctive. Peace steadies us. Faithfulness grows sturdy. Goodness, patience, gentleness, joy, and self control unfold like blossoms in season. God becomes the source of the beautiful things flowing from us, not because we manufactured them, but because we remained connected.

But when we detach, whether through busyness, pride, or the quiet belief that we can sustain ourselves, something begins to wither from the inside out. Identity blurs. Purpose feels distant. We numb our worry with noise, entertainment, food, endless scrolling. Our minds race, yet our spirits feel thin. The branch cannot thrive severed from its source, no matter how polished it looks on the outside.

Every living thing clings to a source. Trees stretch their roots toward water. Lungs reach for oxygen like silent bellows. Our bodies depend on food, sunlight, rest, and steady heartbeats to keep the miracle humming. Even our phones scramble for a charger at 2 percent battery. Life demands connection. Yet we often plug our souls into lesser outlets. Achievement. Approval. Romance. Status. Applause that fades by Tuesday. They flicker brightly, but they cannot sustain our roots.

When Jesus says in the Gospel of John that He is the vine, He is not decorating language. He is defining reality. Apart from Him, we can do nothing of eternal weight. Connected to Him, we do not merely survive. We flourish. Other sources may offer a sip. God offers a spring that does not run dry, a love that does not expire, a life that stretches beyond the horizon of this world and into eternity.

Jesus communicates with kindness through clarity.
Jesus communicates with kindness through repetition.
Jesus communicates with kindness by setting boundaries.

Journaling Questions

1. What “life sources” have I been plugging into lately that leave me temporarily satisfied but spiritually depleted?

2. In what areas of my life do I sense God inviting me to return and remain more intentionally connected to Him?

3. What fruit do I long to see growing in my life right now, and how might deeper connection to the Vine cultivate it?

Take a few quiet moments this week to sit with these questions. Let your answers be honest. Roots grow in hidden places first.

If this encouraged you, be sure to subscribe so you receive a notification when the next Vine blog is released. Stay connected.

Are you Remaining?

Remain in Me

“Remain in me, and I will remain in you.
For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine,
and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”
— John 15:4

Sons and daughters, we are either remaining in Jesus or we are severed.
This is not something that simply happens to us—it requires intention.
Remaining is a daily choice to be present with the Lord. We are active participants in this relationship.

So what does remaining—or being severed—look like practically?

One of the clearest signs of being severed is misaligned priorities.

It can look like waking up and checking your phone before acknowledging God.
It can look like being led primarily by your emotions—acting on feelings without processing them or bringing them to the Father.
It can look like becoming more motivated by the standards and expectations of others than by God, which ultimately leaves us feeling empty and striving.

Severing also shows up as impulsivity: emotional eating, emotional reactivity, or allowing our words to cut others down because we were triggered.
It shows up when God’s Word no longer holds the standard of truth—when it becomes minimized among the opinions of others.
And sometimes, being cut off looks like shutting God out altogether because people have hurt us or life has disappointed us.

Jesus reminds us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Remaining simply means making a conscious decision to stay present with God.
When we remain, we live with an awareness of His constant presence. We are no longer trying to manufacture fruit—we are connected to the Source.

When we are connected to the Vine, our feelings may still fluctuate. We can have hard days. We can feel tired, discouraged, or overwhelmed. Yet our spirit continues to bear witness to the character and sovereignty of God.

This is why, like Psalm 100 teaches us, we can worship regardless of circumstances—because our spirit is connected to the Spirit of God.

We see His faithfulness in the sun rising in perfect timing each day.
We experience His goodness through mercy that is renewed every morning.

Each of us has a choice: to remain with God or to reject Him.
There is only one way to be truly fruitful, and that is to share in the life of Christ—to stay connected to the Vine.

Journal with Joy

1. What are some signs in my daily life that may indicate I am becoming misaligned or disconnected from God?

2. What competes most for my attention and presence before I intentionally remain with the Lord?

3. What would it look like for me to practice “remaining” with God in a practical, daily way this season?

Until next Friday, remain connected. There is fruit forming, even now.

The Steady Hand of the GArdener

John 15:2
“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

God’s hand is steady.

While people look at outward appearance, God looks at the heart. His discipline is not harsh or impulsive. It is careful. Loving. Purposeful. He prunes not to shame us, but to shape us. He is forming us into the image of His Son, Jesus. There is no darkness in God, only light.

I would say the day was going well… until I left church.

We attend the early service so we can beat the grocery rush. After the hugs and goodbyes in the church lobby, we headed to the store to grab ingredients for lunch. My husband and daughter stayed in the car while my son and I ran inside. I made a beeline for the milk section, shivering, focused, ready to get in and out.

My six-year-old was doing what six-year-olds do. Zig-zagging through aisles. Touching everything shiny. Moving slowly when I wanted speed.

I was irritated. Not gently annoyed. Irritated.

I held it together in public, but the tension followed me into the car. I rode home in silence, weighed down by guilt. How could I worship freely, sing loudly, smile at strangers at church, and then feel so short-tempered with my own child?

When I got home, the answer became obvious. I was hungry.

And yet, over time, moments like this began to stack up in my heart. Why didn’t you pray with that person who said they had a hard week? Why did you tell your kids to be quiet instead of engaging them? Why did you turn down your mom’s invitation to spend time together?

None of this guilt made me more fruitful.

It only weighed me down, like wet jeans clinging and burning with every step.

And this is where God’s steady hand met me, not with condemnation, but with grace.

His grace allowed me to see what needed surrender. His mercy reminded me that being human is not a failure. It is something to be offered back to Him. Following God is not a performance rooted in perfection. It is an adventure rooted in trust.

God is the driver.
The Holy Spirit is the guide.
Jesus is the way and the light before us.

And I am learning to ride along, bringing all of me, even the messy parts.

There is room for my hunger.
Room for my impatience.
Room for my repentance.

If you stay in close relationship long enough, truth always surfaces. And God is not startled by what comes out. His steady hand keeps the direction firm while His Spirit brings understanding at the soul level.

The journey is the daily uncovering of what lives in us so God can transform it with what lives in Him.

This is pruning.
Not punishment.
Preparation for greater fruit.

Journal With JOy

1. Where in my life might God be inviting me to surrender guilt or self-criticism that is weighing me down instead of helping me grow?

2. What everyday moments are revealing what’s really in my heart, and how can I offer those moments to God instead of hiding from them?

3. If pruning is an act of love, what might greater fruitfulness look like in this season if I trusted God’s steady hand?

Thank you for reading my blog, I pray this stirred something in you. I will share more posts from my moments inspired by Gods’ presence each Friday. -Be Fruitful

Vine LIfe

If you have met me you know my mission in life is to live a joy-filled life. A joy-filled life is one where God remains at the center and I walk with the confidence, remembering that He is my ever-present help. This is how I introduce myself at most speaking engagements.

Introductions matter. It’s often said that connection happens within the first 90 seconds. And now, with our attention spans shaped by the instant gratification of 30-second reels, that window may be even shorter. I introduce myself this way because it reflects what I ultimately want to be known for: joy.

When people remember me, I want them to remember two things, my humanity and my faith in Jesus Christ. I want others to see my effort, but also to recognize that when I fall short, it is Christ who enables me. I want people to know that I get tired, yet in my weakness, His strength is made perfect.

For example, during the last five months of 2025, I struggled with insomnia. And yet, by God’s grace, I began attending a weekly Bible class one morning a week, maintained multiple speaking engagements each month, led my team, experienced loss… alot of loss,  hosted events for my business, and supported my daughter as she joined honor choir, played basketball, and celebrated her ninth birthday. And that’s just the 50,000-foot view.

It was a wild season. But I know it was God’s presence that empowered me. His care was tender and constant, reminding me to trust Him, talk to Him, follow Him, and stay connected.

Over the next few months, we will unpack John 15 line by line. Today, we begin with Jesus’ powerful introduction:
“I am the true vine…”

As you read this verse, I invite you to form an image in your mind. Picture the vine. Notice its length, its many branches and leaves, how it winds, stretches, and weaves. If you’re like me, your first image might be a vine along the ground or set against the backdrop of a vineyard.

That used to be my view of the vine.

Now, I see a vine that moves through sleepless nights and busy mornings getting kids ready for school. A vine that is present during early meetings, moments of conflict, Saturday basketball games, parenting challenges, marriage, church, and even financial strain. The vine is Jesus, and He is with us always.

He is the carrier of everything we need to live a godly life. There is no place He cannot reach. No moment too early or too late for Him to show up.

Where do you currently feel the vine running through your everyday life?
Notice the ordinary moments, mornings, responsibilities, relationships, or challenges where Jesus might be present and sustaining you, even if you haven’t named it before.

What have you been relying on as a source of strength or security lately?
Gently reflect on whether it’s productivity, approval, control, or roles, and how that compares to Jesus as your true source.

What would it look like this week to remain connected rather than striving harder?
Consider one small way you can acknowledge Jesus as your vine, through prayer, awareness, rest, or trust.

Thank you for reading my blog, I pray this stirred something in you. I will share more posts from my moments inspired by Gods’ presence each Friday. -Be Fruitful

Your Heart is your Garden

Welcome, Sister, to the Fruity Journal Community!

Our story began in the garden with God, and every day He invites us to live in the promise of His presence. Yet we know how easy it is to get distracted and drift from the practices that keep our hearts steady and our eyes fixed on Him.

Fruity Journals were created to help you return to those healthy rhythms—listening, meditating, and responding to God’s Word. Think of them as a hybrid between a devotional and a journal, giving you both guidance and space to grow.

Here, you’ll find simple prompts that encourage reflection without overwhelming you. No long messages—just opportunities to pause, connect with the Lord, and let His seeds take root in your heart. We believe something beautiful is always formed in the garden when we allow God’s truth to grow within us.

To begin, here are two prompts to enrich your time with God:

1. “Lord, what distractions are pulling me away from You? Show me how to return to Your presence today.”

2. “What seed of Your truth do You want me to nurture in this season of my life?”

Welcome to the journey—may you flourish here.