Vine? Branches? Vineyard?

I must admit the first thing I think of with vines are the beautiful wreaths on various doors around town.   There are so many of them - some "just" vines but some "just" branches.  Are wreaths what you think of first also?  Or are you thinking of the verse, in John (15:5) "I am the vine, you are the branches."  As Caregivers we need to stay strong in our relationship, with God, so we can continue to do everything we need to do - especially caring for "our person(s)."

Today's readings, however, are talking about Vineyards -- God's vineyards.  In Isaiah God is growing a "vineyard" - planting it, building the press, tending it - expecting to get "good grapes but it produced only worthless ones."  (vs. 2)  In our Gospel reading (Mark 12:1-3) Jesus is telling the story of the owner wanting his "some of the produce of the vineyard" (vs. 2) and the reception the growers give.  One commentator pointed out, about the reading in Isaiah, that we know the seeds we plant will become what we plant - corn becomes corn, wheat becomes wheat - but we don't know about the "children we grow."  Will they become "good?"  What about the "seeds" planted in us and how they are growing?  

This is a little different way of looking at the "vineyard" isn't it?  The seeds God has planted in us - are we tending them, taking care of them and producing what God is calling for?  Are we staying "in the vine" like Jesus calls us to in John?  Or are we, like Jesus speaks of in Mark, sending the servant away "empty-handed"?  Something to think about........