THIRTY-TWO years ago I planted a fragile concord grapevine seedling next to a wooden picket fence in our backyard. There is a perpetual stream of water nearby and a consistent supply of nutrients in the soil.

Recently, I built a trellis on top of the wooden fence, four feet high and twenty feet long, to accommodate the vast extension of vines and help make picking accessible.

Because the bas e of the plant now measures more than sixteen inches around, I thought, He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he pros pers. In the daily life of a Christian, God's Holy Word has a perpetual supply of refreshment and hope and a consistent supply of nutrients necessary for growth, maturity and fruit-bearing. Good things such as solid faith and trust, patience, stability, knowledge and wisdom all take time.

I love to think that God appoints, my portion day by day.
Events of life are in His hand and I would only say,
Appoint them in Thine own good time
and in Thine own best way.
-Author Unknown