A good branch?
As a farm girl, I’ve participated in the growing of lots of different crops. Farming is not an easy life. My father was a tobacco farmer, my husband and I grew produce for many years, but now I focus mainly on growing flowers (and weeds). Farmers and gardeners are at the mercy of the weather, the rise and fall of the economy, inflation, labor shortages, insects, greedy wildlife that destroy crops, an excess of weeds, and their own fears.
I’m far from being a master gardener, but I certainly have many years of experience growing things. And a significant number of failures and lessons learned.
There are always more lessons to be learned.
Jesus tells His disciples about the process of pruning. It’s a lesson that applies to growing things–and even more–to life.
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 more fruitful.”
John 15:1-2
Pruning can take many forms
My Bible tells me that pruning, as used by Jesus in this instance, can also mean cleansing. It isn’t just lopping off the dead or weak branches, it’s also a process of cleansing and purging what remains. We can probably recall a time when we needed cleansing–not just our outside, but within as well.
Pruning to cleanse
I’m blessed to have a book in the process of being published. That in itself is a pruning process–writing, re-writing, seeking a publisher (and praising God when one is found), editing, and more re-writing.There’s much pruning and much growing in the process.
This past week, I received notification from my publisher that my book, Honoring God with My Body: Journey to Wellness and a Healthy Lifestyle, is in the final stages before going to press.
Hallelujah! I thought, This is a reason to celebrate!
Then the anxiety set in, Am I really ready for this?
This being–marketing...
Getting published is just one more step in a LONG process. There’s so much more! Marketing (getting the word out and selling books) is a major part of the project--and a great deal of the responsibility falls onto the author.
So…the self-questioning began…
- Am I really ready for this?
- What if I mess it all up?
- What if I don’t get the advice and help I need?
- What if no one wants to buy the book?
- What if I fail?
My best therapy when anxiety and doubt threaten is to get outside in God’s amazing creation and talk to Him, pray, and listen.
Talk to Him, pray, and listen
I took a walk on my favorite nature trail.
As I trudged along, a warm February sun spread its warmth and light as a balm to my anxious spirit. Almost immediately, I began to relax, my pace became bolder, and I lifted my face to embrace the beauty of God’s creation. In a few moments, this scripture spoke in my head, reminding me on whom I should depend.
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.”
John 15:5
It’s not about me…
It’s not about me–it’s about God’s plan for me. I’m a branch–not the root. Our Lord nourishes my branches in service to Him. If my book (or any endeavor) is a service to others, a “fruit” to share with others on their journey to a healthy lifestyle, Jesus, as my vine, will provide the pathway. God as the Master Gardener will cut off the parts of me that don’t bear fruit so that my “good branches” will bear better fruit.
We are the branches, our Lord is the vine, our Father is the root.
Praise the Lord for His love and mercy (and His pruning).
If you have a pruning story that changed your life and you’d like to share, please do!
Pruning hurts, but we know in whose capable hands we are!
Yes, Laura! You are right–with our Father as our pruner, we can be assured that the pruning and cleansing process will help us grow in faith and serve Him to our fullest. Thank you for stopping by my blog. Wishing you a blessed week!
I can relate to the pruning process, Katherine. It is not always pleasant but does result in more growth and production. I pray with you about your book and I can understand how you feel about the marketing process. Your faithfulness to God will receive a reward and He will open the doors needed for the message you shared to go through. Blessings my friend!
I agree, Barbara, pruning can be unpleasant and painful, but the process cleanses us and helps us grow so that we might serve our Savior and others through His guidance. I’m so thankful for your encouragement and prayers, my friend. Praying for you in your ministry of service to our Lord.
Ah yes, pruning can take many forms; and sometimes several different ways must be used in our lives to achieve the desired outcome. I never considered how publishing a book is an exercise in pruning, beyond the editing of course, but you reminded me of the purpose of pruning. It’s not to “take away”, but to refine and improve. In writing, that is much more than the words we write my friend. Well done author! I can’t wait until I can hold your book in my hands, and sink my hands into the well-tilled soil of your words as I grow from them. God’s blessings upon you and your upcoming book Ms. Katherine. I am certain of very little, but this I know. God will use your book to achieve its intended purpose.
J.D., God gifted you with such kindness and a spirit that encourages. You have the ability to understand our doubts and fears and share just the right words to inspire us to keep on keeping on. Thank you. You are such a blessing. I’m praying your sabbatical is bringing you peace and the assurance that God is with you in your ministry. Wishing you and the Cross-Dubya family a blessed week.
Katherine,
I constantly prune my grapes and apples trees in order for them to produce much fruit. But as you state, there are plenty of things out there that make it tough getting the fruit. I think of how some many times Israel would prepare the ground, plant crops, care for them; only to see the Philistines come in and steal the harvest.
Lord help me plant and produce fruit that remains!
I join you in your prayer, Ben, that we may plant and produce fruit that honors Him. And I pray that we can learn from the mistakes of our ancestors and draw closer to our Father, staying in His will, under the wings of His protection, and in submission to His guidance. I’m hoping we have a good season of planting and harvesting, both in what we grow and the people we are given the opportunity to bring to Christ.
Pruning is rough but it’s refinement —and when I think of refined, I think beauty. I hadn’t thought of the work/marketing after completing a book as pruning, but I am experiencing it and now see a different perspective. Thanks for that insight.
Perhaps God has granted us greater insight as we get a little older, to recognize the multitude of lessons (and pruning experiences) that He grants us through our daily journey with Him. You are a wonderful role model and mentor, Marilyn. I’m so thankful for the ministry you and April have provided through Destination Hope.
We don’t often consider that pruning is a cleansing and improving of what remains. Though the process can be difficult, I’m thankful that there are things worth salvaging. It makes me think of Peter when at first he didn’t want Jesus to wash his feet. Jesus explained that unless he washed his feet he would have no part with him. Then Peter said, “If that’s the case, wash me all over.”
Though pruning isn’t fun, sometimes it’s downright painful, a close walk with Jesus is worth it.
I’ve always been fascinated by Peter, the honest and human portrayal we see of him in the Scripture. He blundered about and always seemed to put his foot in his mouth, but Jesus chose Peter to “feed my sheep.” I think we can learn many valuable lessons from Peter. And, like him, we need to be “cleansed all over.” Thanks so much for sharing your insight, Terri. God believed that were are worth “salvaging.” That gives us the strength and courage to keep going in service to Him. Wishing you peace and blessings.
Pruning is painful but fruitful. God bless the new book!
Yes, pruning is painful and we are blessed to have a loving gardener, One who never gives up on us no matter how often we need pruning! Thanks so much for your good wishes, Nancy. I pray my wellness Bible study will be a blessing to others.
Not much about pruning that draws my heart. I even envision prunes and it makes me grimace. But, ah, the result of the pruning proess bears precious, nourishing fruit for our souls and for those God has placed in our life. How often do we read the “you can do nothing” part of the verse and leave off the crucial “apart from me”? Grateful God created us to need Him in this way for our good and His glory. Excited for the work of your hands in the almost-release of this book! Many will benefit because of your faithful service to write it.
Your response brought a smile and an appreciation for sharing your insight. You remind us of the vital importance of treasuring the connection we have with our Lord. We are joined with Him through His sacrifice and our recognition of Him as our Lord and Savior. “Apart from Him, we can do nothing.” Such truth, but alwaus a hard lesson when we must be pruned before we recognize it. Thank you for your encouragement, Mary, and for your kindness and support. Wishing you continued blessings, my friend.
You have encouraged me many times with God’s creation. I need that reminder and balance. Thank you Pruning…yes. There will always be, and it always hurts, but praise God for He is a gentle Gardner!
I love your description of our Father as the “gentle gardener.” I’m so thankful for that, since I’ve needed a lot of pruning. Thank you for your faithful service to God and His children, Sylvia.
Thanks for sharing your anxiety and your process that led you to the conclusion “it’s not about me – it’s about God’s plan for me.” Keeping that truth in mind will help all of us get through painful pruning seasons.
It has often been a very hard lesson for me, Candyce, being pruned to the point that I knew I must submit and admit that I am not in control, not should I be. I’m grateful for your encouragement. Wishing you a week filled with joy and sunshine (and maybe some golf weather?).
Congratulations on the book publishing, Katherine! It’s helpful to remember that this is God’s book. He will enable you to do what He calls you to. But, yes, pruning is often part of that process. Youch! But the end result is worth it.
Thank you, Annie. I’m grateful for your reminder that God has the big plan in this case (and every case)–including the marketing of my wellness Bible study. I pray that the book will be of support to God’s children on their journey to wellness. I agree with you that the end result of pruning is positive, but being in the midst the process is painful. “Youch!” That’s a great descriptor!
Isn’t it wonderful how God’s creation can refresh us and help us focus on God, putting our fears in perspective. That’s terrific news about your book and I’ll be praying for God to lead you in just the right paths and connect you with helpful people for all the marketing!
Thanks so much for your encouragement and prayers, Kathy. I am blessed to live where I can enjoy being in God’s creation and having that opportunity provides me with an environment where I feel His presence and I’m definitely renewed and refreshed by my time with Him. You live in such a beautiful location–I’m sure you are also refreshed by your time in nature. Thank you for brightening my day with your message of hope.
The results are priceless, but the process is not my favorite. However it always brings me closer to God and for that it is always worth it.
Pruning is not my favorite experience either, Jen, but as you remind us, “the results are priceless.” Wishing you continued blessings in your ministry of service to our Father, our Master Gardener.