Vine & Sparrow – behind the name

Vine & Sparrow – the website and blog – has been in the works for over a year, and life has continually gotten in the way of launching. Until now. Suddenly, a pandemic hits our world and in a proactive effort to control the spread of the virus, basically all of my obligations and events outside of work have come to a screeching halt.

And so, I find myself sitting on my couch on a Sunday afternoon, having just finished participating in a church service online, checking on the chicken stock simmering on my stove every so often, knowing exactly what I want to do with this sudden influx of at-home time. Let’s just get this thing launched!

It’s not going to be perfect, or probably even consistent. Those have been two factors I’ve been clinging to as excuses for why I haven’t launched the site yet. But, NO MORE! I’m diving in, and we’ll figure this out as we go.

WHY VINE & SPARROW?

Finding the right name took me several days when I first began dreaming up this virtual space to share the things I love and learn.
I knew I wanted it to be a sweet (hopefully trendy and memorable) title, with deep meaning for myself. I wanted to convey hope and purpose to you as well, dear readers.

And so “Vine” and “Sparrow” just ended up making sense for me. Here’s why.

VINE- relates to so many things I love: nature, greenness, gardening, life, fruit, growth, and a powerful scripture passage where Jesus sculpts a beautiful word-picture of life in him.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit… Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing…If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends… You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

John 15

I’ll save the dissection of this passage for another post, another day. But suffice it to say that I want to remember that Jesus is the source of my everything. I want to abide in Him and bear much fruit. I want to glorify God. I want to love well because the love of Christ flows through me to the world.

SPARROW- My momma has called me her little bird since I was born. I think sparrows (and little birds in general) are lovely. I love their freedom, their tenacity to care for their young, their sing-songy voices. I love warm spring mornings, when the trees and flowers are just starting to bloom, and the birds are flitting from branch to branch singing hello. Sparrows and belonging are intrinsically linked in my heart and head, as well, because of another word-picture Jesus spoke.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Matthew 10:29-31

He also said

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 

Matthew 6:25-26

As someone who lives with chronic stress, anxiety, auto-immune issues and more, it is life giving to see a sparrow hopping around by my feet and remember these truths that I am valued by my Creator, I have a place to belong in him and he will supply all my needs.

And so, Vine & Sparrow is a name that, for me, evokes a sense of peace, hope, purpose, belonging, life, health, comfort, value, growth, and a calm and steady vivacity. I hope this little corner of the internet will be a place you can experience those things as well.

Welcome to my little place. I’m so glad you’re here. Take a look around, make yourself at home; you’re always welcome! Let’s see where this thing goes!