Recently, the landscaping service swept over the grounds at our living community and in their wake I discovered that all of the rose bushes had been seriously pruned back. They are now much reduced in size, denuded of leaves, limbs and all but a pitifully few thorny branches.
How often I feel like these bushes. Stripped, bare, de-frocked of all that was once so glorious. Frankly, it often feels like this in our church life as well. Over the past few years, it does feel like we have been through a season of severe pruning. It is hard, ripping and painful, but we must recall that the horticulturists prune roses in order to prepare for the coming of spring, so that the plant can be the best that it can be in the coming season.
John 15:1-12
Jesus the True Vine
‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunesto make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
By comparing our past two years to a pruning, I mean to say nothing mean about those who have been “cutoff.” (I am sure that God has grafted them into His life elsewhere.) But I am saying something about US… maybe God has trimmed from us all that distracts us from being the plant that God wants us to be… helping us to shed false attachments to things like power, prestige, large numbers and money.
This experience invites us to a Lenten exercise of active resting in our “dormancy” and growing deeper. We are being given the opportunity to now sink our roots ever deeper in the soil of God so that when spring comes, we will be ready to flower and produce the fruit that our Master Gardener desires.
May we do the work of dormancy well so that we can make God smile when spring and summer come.
Thoughts & Images from the Heart 
Thanks- I needed that today….
You are always insightful, Becky; sorry it has to come at such a price.
You’re both in my thoughts, especially at this season of the year.
Love you,
Tina Batori Independent Mary Kay Beauty Consultant and Independent Stampin’ Up Demonstrator
(541) 556-7714 cell