Pruning in the world of gardening is a fact of life. It removes what is dead, and trimming off excess branch buds enhances the shape of the plant promoting more vigorous growth when spring comes around again.
It is not very difficult to make this same analogy in our own lives. Spring cleaning is a century's old custom where deep cleaning is done (usually followed by a trip to the local thrift store) as we "prune" our closets and homes. There is something necessary and deeply satisfying about de-cluttering our living spaces; paring down to what we really need and use.
We instinctively realize our lives also need to be evaluated periodically for pruning purposes; recommitting ourselves to what is working and trimming off what isn't. This is not a new concept to humanity.
However, in the garden and in our lives, we are usually the one in control of the pruning process. We get to decide which sprigs to cut off the rose bush, and we get to choose which sweaters to keep and which ones to toss. What do we do though when God, the Master Gardener steps in with His pruning shears and begins to trim away at our lives without so much as a warning or consultation before getting started?
In my own life I am a summer girl. I find every single aspect of this season a complete delight. I love the fresh produce of summer, a more laid-back tempo of life, light and airy clothing that lets your skin breathe. I even find the daily heat to be a comforting and stable fact of life. No need to consult the weather report - hot and humid is what's on the calendar for at least the next ninety days.
Yet I find myself awakening to a winter season; a time in life when I see very little visible growth, with no external fruit or flower for my eyes to behold. How did I miss my summer's closing or the passing of my autumn? It seemed that life was fine one day and then the next day one by one, nearly every comfort I satisfy myself with is decaying. Everything from relationships to activities has become strangely unsatisfying - as though I am hungry but nothing I eat fills me. I feel empty; like someone standing on the outside looking inside at others enjoying their summer while I am cold out here.
The Gardener and I have had several conversations about this situation. Today He talks to me about pruning. He is helping me understand that as the Vine, He is the unequivocal Source for Life. When He wants His branches to produce the richest, healthiest fruit possible, sometimes He removes every single bud on the branch He is working on. Removing every unnecessary shoot forces Life giving sap to flow in a more concentrated, powerful way through the branch.
How long this winter season will last I don't know and He has given me no answer for this question. What I know is that I have dreams I have been dreaming for some time now; I have prayers that have gone unanswered for so long that my heart is loosing hope. I have plans I want to see come to fruition.
John 15:5-8
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
The things I desire most are not things. I am seeking God diligently for my children's future and for my own heart. My requests are in keeping with the Word of God and I do believe that He will answer my prayers. For whatever reason though, He is requiring of me a season of solitude before He grants my prayer requests; it is just the two of us right now. He has required that I learn to get my every need; both physical and emotional met in Him.
I have tried to find my old life; seeking out familiar friends and activities. God is gracious and occasionally opens the door to allow me to find some comfort there, but more often than not, I have that sense of being on the outside looking in. He is telling me without words that the life I am searching for is through the Door.
John 10:9-10
9I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture.
10The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it [b]overflows).
It is difficult to understand or even make sense of all that is happening at the moment, but I know that God is faithful and He can be trusted to keep His promises. He is Love and His love is perfect and pure. So while today may be winter for me, I am confident that spring is just around the corner. Soon enough the abundance of summer will enfold me once more. In the meantime, I am working on keeping my eyes on Him and not so much on my situation. I am growing; it's just happening on the inside and is a private matter between myself and my God. I am learning to lean on Him like never before. If I had this kind of a calendar I would mark off the days as if to hasten summer's coming, but I do not. So I wait and I grow - quietly, under the ground and out of sight, hoping and trusting.
