Grace and peace to you from God, the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

One of my favorite things to see when I am at the Como park Conservatory is the bonsai trees.

If you have ever seen them they are like fine works of natural art.

Bonsai’s are basically miniature versions of what would typically be large trees, oaks, elms, and maples. There are many varieties.

Not having all of the technical knowledge or expertise the short course is a tree is pruned and meticulously maintained as it grows in a regular cycle only to be pruned, in relation to the other branches- thus limiting its size.

I recall there being a few examples at the park that are close to 80-90 years old, that when you look at them your mind kind of plays a trick by filling in what is a two foot tree in front of you that looks just like a fully grown 80- to 100 foot mature tree.

I can only wonder at the knowledge, patience and care that the gardener must have. Much like our creator God who has put love into creation.

I have heard it said that plants respond well to loving human action and I think we as humans receive love back from the plant.

An abiding relationship based on mutual love and care.

When you step into the bonsai room there is almost a sense of reverence and certainly awe at the work to maintain and develop these beautiful plants.

The gift shop at the park also sells kits to create your own bonsai tree. I have always been fascinated to give this a try, but I had another idea.

As you may already know I enjoy going to the Minnesota State Fair.

In the education building they have a forest service products display where you can spin the wheel for amazing prizes, after answering a basic question.

I spun the wheel and answered my question correctly and I hit the jackpot, actually everyone wins. My prize was a jackpot for me though, it was a Norway Pine aka Red Pine.

I visited this stand many times over the years and I have never had good results growing the seedling in my garden.

Once you win the plastic bag bag covered tree you have to keep it safe during your visit to the fair. So over the years I have had only one tree survive.

After planting my tree I dutifully made sure it had water and sunlight. Little did I know that sandy soil was pretty important. So after adding more sand I actually had a tree get to be about two feet tall.

I was thrilled to have one of my favorite trees. I have to admit that I have a little thing for trees, my all time favorite being the free form, majestic white pines.

The trees that helped navigate the world as ship masts and the lumber that has built many homes.

I knew that my Norway Pine could grow to over 90 feet so I was sure I wanted it in the middle of my garden, now what to do.

At already two feet tall it wasn’t a candidate for becoming a bonsai if that was even possible so I transplanted it to the corner of the house in the front yard.

In no time that tree had found the soil it needed and it stretched its branches skyward, like it was praising God.

Now I had to figure out how to keep this thing under control.

I know I have felt life spin out of control at times, I’m glad God is there to steady me.

I really didn’t want a giant pine tree in the front yard. So I decided to prune it.

Do any of you know what happens when you prune a Norway Pine? I think the tree kind of likes it, it grows even better.

Unfortunately, without realizing what I had done, I cut the top off of the tree, hoping that it would keep it shorter.

My haphazard attempt encouraged the tree and the tree sprouted a whole new set of branches.

In trying to make it smaller, I actually made it bigger.

I consulted one of my city forester friends and he agreed that wasn’t the best thing to do, but now all you have to do is abide with the tree and take care of it.

I am the proud gardener of a 16 foot tall by 12 foot wide Norway Pine bonsai.

At least that’s what I like to think, although it won’t be going to the conservatory.

In our gospel for today Jesus gives us another I am, as he is the true vine, and God is the vine grower.

I think a beautiful image that we can understand and the first disciples certainly understood about vines and vineyards.

Think of all of the beautiful plants that are just starting to bloom here.

God is the master bonsai grower, who meticulously created and abides with creation, loving, pruning, and creating in abundance.

The vine produces more fruit when it is tended.

The surprise I had by trimming my tree and having it almost double in width, to make up for taking off the top.

God lovingly prunes the vine and we are told that we have been cleansed, pruned already by the word spoken to us.

How does this pruning work in our lives?

What do we cut off or care for to create relationships?

No wonder the joy of the eunuch after having Philip interpret the word along the road, and being baptized.

The eunuch like ourselves and all of the plants and trees who received the gift of life in the water.

Water that sustains growth and produces love.

Like the cleansing waters of baptism.

We have become part of that vine with Jesus.

God who abides with us and lovingly cares for us.

As I look forward to spring and the explosion of new life, that is a gift for all of us.

A gift that we share as we are part of the vine. Looking out for one another in love and acts of kindness for our siblings.

Just as God tends the vine we are empowered to tend to each other.

The example of the vineyard shows the glory of God, “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

Abide in me and they will be done. That is an awesome gift that relieves worry and fear.

A gift that produces the fruit of joy.

With joyful voices we can all say, “Thanks be to God.”