Apart From Him, I Can Do Nothing

“I am the vine; you are the branches” (John 15:5).

The words are right there, straight from Jesus. But what does it mean?

It means I can’t bear any fruit without the vine. Nada. Zilch. Fruit doesn’t show up on branches that are cut off from their vine. 

But if the branch remains on the vine, it grows. 

It flourishes. 

It produces fruit. 

I want to remain in Him in everything I do, including how I mother. Why? 

The answer immediately follows in that verse: “apart from me you can do nothing.” 

I can’t do anything without Him.

I can try as I might, but it’s not going to be fruitful. 

And I want to bear fruit as a mom and as a woman of God. 

I want to raise disciples.

I want to love my husband, and together, live on mission for Christ.

I want to love my neighbors as I love myself.

I want to glorify God and honor Him in my life.

But I have to remain in Him first.

Because apart from Him, I can do nothing.