Small Stones And Little Foxes

He was walking up the hill.
He looked like he was struggling.
Suddenly, I saw him bend down and take off his shoe.
I saw him find what he was looking for and toss it in the grass.

A stone.
A small stone was causing all the trouble.

I can relate.
In the winter the salt trucks scatter small stones on the road after a snowfall.
Wonderful for drivers, a nuisance for walkers.
The stones always find their way into my shoe.

In all likelihood, the tossed stone was miniscule.
Small or not, it causes pain.
The stone does not belong there.

He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love…Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires…My lover spoke and said to me, “Arise my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me. See! the winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.” My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hiding place on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely. Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom. (Song of Songs 2:4,7,10-15)

Small stones and little foxes.

So many people are walking away from their marriages.
Christians are walking away as frequently as non-Christians.
Their marriages are in shambles and they don’t know why.
They are walking away from the covenant and the promises they made before God.

When relationships are new, they are in bloom.
The shoots are tender and need constant care.
Misunderstandings are handled right away leaving no time for resentment.
The couple laughs at each others jokes, encourages each other, compliments each other.
The fragrance of their love is sweet.

Out of nowhere, something changes.
The thing that you once thought so adorable now annoys you.
The jokes have all been heard before.
The encouragement and compliments are slow in coming.
The little foxes are appearing.

Frustrations that used to be handled quickly now simmer just below the surface.
Words have an edge to them.
Walls are built around the vineyard.
The little foxes are gnawing away at the tender shoots.

The little foxes that ruin the vineyard.
The little foxes that run around in such a sly way, they go undetected.

When the vineyard is neglected, the little foxes run wild.
They feast on the bountiful when no one is looking.

The little foxes can be caught with the help of the Master Gardener.
Diligence needs to take the place of neglect.
The vineyard will bloom again.

Who is this that appears like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, majestic as the stars in procession? I went down to the grove of nut trees to look at the new growth in the valley, to see if the vines had budded or the pomegranates were in bloom.
(Song of Songs 6:10,11)

Oh, the beauty of a bountiful vineyard.
The world needs to see its fruit.
There is nothing worse than seeing overgrowth and weeds take over where there once was succulent growth.

It takes work.
It takes commitment.
It takes perseverance.

The vineyard will be beautiful once again.
What once marred its beauty must be removed.
A watchful eye will catch the little foxes before they wreak havoc on the vineyard.

Small stones and little foxes cause so much pain.
Catch them early.
Remove them quickly.
Delight in the succulent fruit that is produced.

But my own vineyard is mine to give…you who dwell in the gardens with friends in attendance, let me hear your voice! (Song of Songs 8:12,13)

The world needs to see that such a vineyard is possible.
The vineyard will bloom again!
The taste of its fruit will be sweet!