05/14/2026
During our Sunday morning service at the Mother’s Retreat, Shirl shared a powerful comparison between the journey of a grape and the journey many mothers walk through after tragedy.
Grapes endure crushing, pressure, harsh handling, and stomping before becoming jelly or jam for breakfast, or a glass of w**e shared over dinner. In much the same way, mothers endure crushing moments — grief, heartbreak, anger, fear, loneliness, bitterness, and pain. Yet through prayer, support, and time, many begin to find strength, peace, and a way to live within their new normal.
As part of the service, the mothers physically crushed and stomped grapes as a symbolic act of releasing the emotions they have carried since their tragedy. Every stomp represented pain they have endured and emotions they are learning to process and lay down.
Our prayer — and our hope — is that every mother who attended left knowing she is not alone. That there are people willing to stand beside her through every emotion, every difficult day, and every step forward as she continues to heal, gain strength, discover peace, and learn how to move forward while honoring her story.
John 15:5-6 (NIV) states: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”
