The Promise of Pruning

Once again, it seems God is teaching me about His provision and faithfulness.My husband is applying for jobs and we are praying, waiting and trusting God is going to provide us with the income we need.

Ever since we married 10 years ago, I have been stretched in this area. We lived on support as missionaries for almost 5 years. Then, moved to attend a ministry school without employment…onlywith faith and hunger for more of God.

Currently, we are pursuing another dream. One that includes generations to live off the land and be provided for through farming.

Well, like farming, I guess it takes time to plow the ground.

Lately, I’ve been asking myself these questions:

• Why do I keep experiencing circumstances that require me to depend on Jesus so much for our daily needs?

• Did I not learn this well enough before?

• Why am I repeating this”lesson” like a kid who fails a grade and must work through it all over again another year?

The worried performer who wants to always get it right in me smiled when listening to one of our pastors the other week.

I was encouraged about traveling down a road much traveled once again.

“…and every branch that bears fruit, He PRUNES it so that it may bear MORE fruit.” John 15:2

Pastor Bill Johnson said, “God prunes where He sees progress.”

You see, this isn’t the exact same lesson. This is the “advanced course” I’m on. He’s teaching me more because there was so much fruit last time. At least, I am taking comfort in this and hoping it is true!

Because I don’t want to remain the same. I don’t want pain and disappointment to be in vain. I want them to fertilize the pruning work in me.

But prune God must.

Part of our backyard fence is heavy with grapevines. They are over 6 feet high and at least 2 feet deep. There is fruit but an overabundance of green leaves as well.

We’ve been nibbling on the grapes that have recently tainted purple from their brilliant green. We have to dig and wade in between the hanging vines to find them.

Although there is some fruit, I’ve been eyeing those grapevines. I’m already plotting to take the shears to them not long after the grapes have been enjoyed.

I am determined these vines can produce even sweeter, fuller grapes.

This must be God’s heart towards us. He knows what CAN BE.

He’ll take out the shears from time to time because the fruit He sees in our lives is so PROMISING.

I want to encourage you to keep pressing on, even if the path you’re on has been much traveled. God is producing in you everlasting fruit.

Fruit that is sweet, abundant, and can feed many. The fruit of our pruning journey can become a feast for our husband, children, even grand-children and many more whose our lives touch. We just have to abandon ourselves to the cause and let the Master Gardener have His way.

Bless you as you wait to see fruit…IT WILL COME!

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