If we neglect our gardens, overgrowth happens, weeds take over, and any vegetables or fruit that we had expected to put up over the winter will lay to waste.
Oh how our earthly gardens and the gardens of our life are similar.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." John 15:1-2
In the garden of life God is our gardener. He keeps an ever watchful eye on all that we do and say. Most importantly, he fixes his gaze upon our hearts.
Our Father knows more about us, then we do ourselves. He knows when pride and sin start to take hold and their roots dig down deep into our earthly beings. He knows when our desire for material pleasures start to over grow our desires to have a personal relationship with him.
When this start to happen, the Father begins to tend to the garden of our souls.
He prunes away the sin that has settled into the corners and the sin that hides behind closed doors. He lifts the veil of selfishness and shame. He asks us to break the idols that have taken his place.
Why? Because he loves us.
The pruning of our earthly gardens can be an unpleasant process to go through. It may bring about unbearable growing pains, however, it's necessary. The questions of, "Why is this happening to me?" and "What did I do wrong?" are often uttered from weary lips.
Instead of fighting the process, ask God "What is your will for me during this time?" In prayer and reading his Word, search for what he wants you to change and let go off, and ask him how you can be more like him.
Don't balk against the change, but rather lean into him during this time. Reach out for his hand and walk along side him as he molds you into his image, and the person he wants you to be.
It is time for our Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesday Link Up. We desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories in their comments.
Use the hashtag #w2wwordfilledwednesday!
Three rules to this link up:
1. Must be a {Christian} faith post.
2. You must link back to W2W somewhere in your post.
3. You must visit and comment on at least one other blog in the link up.
Pruning is often a painful experience of God's chastisement and one I do not relish or enjoy. But the fruit that is born after the pruning is more sweet and luscious than ever before. What a sweet day it will be when no more pruning is required.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great word Shari. God's pruning is not always easy but so worth it. We need to take care of our garden -our life- and listen to the Master Gardener.
ReplyDeleteBefore blogging and the Internet my best friend and I published a snailmail newsletter for women. My moniker was A Pruned Branch! I know about pruning!!! I have also published a women's devotional titled A PRUNED BRANCH! Those loppers are sharp but in the hands of the Master Gardener, the pruning is gentle and loving. I would rather be a pruned branch than a straggly, dry, brittle twig thrown on the fire heap. Amen.
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, the painful pruning...the ouch...hallelujah! Thank you for hosting the Word-Filled Wednesday Link-up. I just discovered this phenomenon and posted something. Wonderful way to meet other like-minded women who Blog!
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