What I learn while in the garden.

John 15:1
I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
This has and will always be a favorite verse of mine. I spend quite a bit of time in the yard, pruning, weeding, and cleaning up the left overs from the seasons gone by, preparing for what is to come.
As I was out yesterday cutting back and pruning the different plants, I couldn't help but think of this verse, while praying for all the hurts that have come to so many people we know. The Lord impressed upon my heart that He is and always is in the process of doing His work in His people. And when I look at the plants and all that is needed, He shows me more and more.
There is a vine in our yard that takes over everything. To some this may look beautiful, but it reminded me that sometimes, I take over into ares that are not intended for me, so the Father has to prune me back to where He has me to me, and not to bleed into areas that He has not prepared for me to go.
And then there are the plants that "look" great. They are growing strong, and full. But when I get on my hands and knees, I see that so many of the branches are hanging on the ground, that allow for the insects to infest and hinder the true beauty of the plant, and I am reminded again what is it that I am allowing to suck the life out of me? Is there "branches" in my life that hang on to the things that are not edifying to the Lord and my growth, and He has to come along and cut back? When I cut back these branches it is amazing how the existing branch perks up and springs forth reaching its branches to the sky. It is as if their burden has been taken.
Then the hard part comes for me, and that is the clean up. Picking up all the cut branches, and the many leaves that exist, and again I am reminded that when the Lord does the work, it is HE that carries it all away. All I need to do is enjoy the pruning. The bush no longer has to do any of the work.
And when all the work is done, for a time, I can look back and be very thankful by the beauty I see, all the dead stuff gone, and the ground clean of all the debris. And again I am reminded how much the Lord loves me, that He wants to see His beauty in my life, so the pruning has to happen. The question I have to ask myself, am I will to submit to the clippers? However they may come.
I can only pray and ask the Lord to prepare my hear for whatever He has, so that His glory can shine through my life.