“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5.

There was a time in my life when I became too wrapped up in doing as many good works for God as I could. I believed he was the God of those who were devoted to ministry, those in constant relationships with others, those who lead, and those who seemingly reap the spiritual rewards of the productive Christian. I thought this was the best way to be seen by God.

The problem was that I was spending so much time being busy for God that I was too busy for God. You see I excelled as a public Christian, but I was failing as a private one. I was convinced he would love me through my ministry, but would God still love me  when I was doing nothing tangible for him?

This is when God began to reveal to me that I was too focused on the visible fruit and not focused enough on the invisible—those parts underneath; the root that anchors, the root that is the lifeline of that which produces the fruit.

Very rarely do I notice about the roots of the trees that I see or walk past everyday. I notice the branches above me that stretch toward a blue sky. I lean against the trunk and enjoy the cool of the shade. But most of the time, I walk right over the roots, the hidden life that makes everything—branches, leaves, fruit, and shade.

Why pay attention to the roots when there are branches to climb and fruit to pick? You see, my dear sisters, we live for what is right in front of us, while God is calling us to focus on the unseen. It is hard to grow tall and develop good fruit without tending to the roots—our inner and hidden life with God.

Mamas, I believe God is inviting us back to the soil. He longs for us to hide in him rather than perform for him. Let us shift our attention from fruit to roots, from visible work for God to an unseen life in God. As we strengthen our roots, in our quiet time with him, the fruit of our faith is destined to grow.

Blessings as you return to the root of your fruit,

Susie and the Help Club for Moms Team

For more information about Susie and her ministry, Between the Gardens, visit her website at susieoneal.org

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Susie O'Neal

Hello! My name is Susie. I have been married to my best friend, Andy, for twenty-five years, and we have two beautiful daughters who are twenty-four and twenty-one. I live in Cleveland, Ohio, where I work full-time as a writer and proofreader at a textbook company. I am the creator and writer of Between the Gardens Ministries, LLC., where I am passionate about teaching and encouraging believers through the truth of God's Word through online evangelism. I am blessed to be a part of this wonderful community, and I pray I can help mentor and inspire mothers of all ages and stages.

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