Daniel and I recently found this little treasure at an antique shop while looking at furniture. We passed by a set of amethyst grapes, and I made a comment about how much I loved it. Daniel said we should get it, but I couldn’t justify the purchase. I never anticipated I’d marry a man that talks me into buying the pretty thing, but I thank God I did. We didn’t find any furniture that day, but we brought home something better. Sometimes you just gotta buy the thing that makes you happy. 

After leaving the antique shop, I kept remembering our grapes. Every time I thought about it, a little spark of joy would take over me. We went to a few other stores that day, and at every turn it seemed, we saw more grapes. Whether it was a painting, a dish, or a little trinket, grapes just kept showing up. Could God be trying to tell us something? I wondered.

I couldn’t wait to find the perfect place for the grapes in our kitchen. Upon returning home, we realized grapes were already a recurring theme in our kitchen. They made a cameo among other fruits in a recent painting of mine, and they were also on a stone carving I had resting on a mini easel. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t remembered grapes were carved into that picture.

A couple of days later, I was on my way to run some errands. As I drove, I started thinking about the grapes. I wondered if God had a message He wanted to share or if it really was just a neat coincidence. I pulled up to my favorite little frame shoppe and walked inside to pickup an order. As I approached the counter, low and behold, there it was again—grapes! I couldn’t believe my eyes as I reached down to pick up the cutest business card with a cluster of grapes occupying the left side of the card. I took the card with me and did some research leading me straight to a Bible verse on the home page of the company’s website.

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)

“The Gift of Grapes” is inspired by the little treasure my husband encouraged me to get at the antique store that day. The grapes symbolize how our lives flourish fruitfully when we nurture the relationship with our Father. It will serve as a reminder to not overthink things but instead stay connected to the vine.

This oil pastel painting comes in an 11×14” Victorian frame matted to 9×12” and is perfect for a kitchen or dining area. We decided to keep this for our dining room, but it will be made to order in my Etsy Shoppe.

kamillestreasures.etsy.com

Sometimes God winks; He uses things, things that may seem insignificant, to communicate the most significant of things. I remembered a prayer I had written down in my prayer journal just days before this experience. “God, help me to hold on to that childlike sense of joy and wonder.” I prayed.

I almost chose to leave the grapes behind that day, but something inside just wouldn’t let me. It wasn’t the practical or frugal side of me; it wasn’t the side of me that makes carefully thought out decisions rooted in logic and wisdom. It was the side of me that longs to hold on to a childlike sense of wonder and joy, the side of me that knows no good thing, no matter how sensible, exists without God. There will be plenty of time and many days to come for logical, sensible decisions. That day, however, I chose to quiet my own mind and listen to my husband’s heart instead. I chose to hold on to a good thing.

With pen in hand, I wrote a prayer

with faith it’d make its way

to God above who knows my heart

and seeks it every day. 

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Dear God, I pray, help me to hold

wonder, joy, and delight—

without worry, forever free,

and precious in Your sight.

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The Lord did hear my simple prayer

and answered with a wink.

He sent to me a precious gift

I tried to overthink.

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But overthinking hides His voice

revealing mine instead.

Instead of using my mind and heart,

I stay inside my head.

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That day God used my loving husband

to help me hear Him clearly.

He gave to me a little treasure

I love so very dearly. 

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A precious gift, a purple treasure,

a message formed from love.

No good thing can ever exist 

outside of God above.

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This little gift, so very beautiful 

but the price a bit too high.

It was just a set of pretty grapes, 

not something we needed to buy.

.

But the Lord saw differently, as did Daniel

so we bought this little treasure—

a purple reminder that I am heard

and loved beyond measure.

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Wonder, delight, and perfect joy

that day the Lord did bring.

My Father answered a simple prayer;

He gave to me a good thing.