The Fruit of the Vine

Hey {{first_name|friend}},

Last week was one of those weeks.

We closed a store. I lost my temper with my oldest son. God convicted me in church. I lost 2.5 pounds. Jordan Peterson came back.

Funny how God can teach five lessons in one week.

Sunday's message was on John 15:5-8. Abiding in Christ is more than obeying His commands. It's letting His words shape your heart and mind until His character comes through in what you do. I needed to hear that.

During the move, I got into it with Justin, my oldest. I don't even remember what started it. He was tired, hungry, and wanted to be doing something else, and I lost my temper with him. I love that kid, and I didn't represent Christ very well in that moment.

Sitting in church afterward, I kept replaying it in my head. The more I thought about it, the less I could justify it. It also reminded me of the way I used to go at my own father when I was Justin's age.

My dad is gone now. I can't apologize to him anymore.

But maybe the way I make it right is to turn my own light back on and actually be the fruit of that vine John was writing about. With Justin, I'm going to apologize and do better.

Lost 2.5 pounds last week. Still on keto, still fasting three days a week. I had a medical procedure a while back that paused my weight training. This week, the weights come back.

Jordan Peterson is back, at least part time, and last week he posted the second lecture in his new series: "What You Put First Determines Your Life."

It fit the theme of my week perfectly.

We emptied the last shelf, locked the doors, and walked away from our Roly Poly location at Ivy Tech. Our contract was up. The boys and Janet helped me clear the place out and clean it top to bottom.

That's harder than people think. You spend years building something, and then one afternoon it's just… finished. We never made consistent money there. That's not what hurts. What hurts is closing something people poured themselves into.

I'm thankful for the relationships we built there, including some catering accounts I plan to keep. Now it's time to pour that energy into our 3rd Street store.

AI keeps moving faster than I can keep up with. Every week there seems to be another major release. I'm convinced it's becoming one of the most important skills a business owner can learn.

My dad used to say, "Bloom where you're planted."

Jesus said it better: "Abide in me."

Different words. Same direction.

What's your number one? Whatever comes first eventually shapes everything else. Mine is Christ, and this week reminded me I need my actions to say that instead of just my voice.

Before you go to bed tonight, apologize to someone if you need to. Or forgive someone, if they need it.

Don't carry it into tomorrow.

I'm doing mine with Justin today. It's his birthday. Feels like the right day for it.

Keep getting better today than yesterday.

Tony Case

One week. One lesson. One step closer to becoming better today than yesterday.

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