When Our Lives Face Pruning

  Gardening  is such a rewarding  event.  It's so satisfying to see the plants pop out of the brown desolate ground into tiny plants and into full grown producing ones.  Some of the agricultural crops we’ve grown, include pumpkin, watermelon, and tomatoes, all of which grow on vines, as well as the grapes, along the edge of our driveway.

CONNECTED TO THE VINE

Jesus talked about being connected to him is like being connected to a vine.  In fact, he said, he is the ‘Vine’ and we all would have to deal with pruning—-or even being ‘pruned’.

Being ‘pruned’ can be unsettling.  The idea of any part of us being ‘cut away’ seems threatening and uncomfortable.  We may face an ‘identity crisis’ as our self-perceptions, roles or titles are stripped away while our ‘new’ identity is being formed.

IDENTIFIERS

As a new widow, this resonates with me since for 51 years, I was identified with being my husband’s wife.  It’s who I was.  Now, in some ways, I feel myself floundering as I discover who it is God wants me to be, or what he wants me to do.  I want to stay in His will, and as the layers of my old identity are being peeled away, I find myself in a brand new place.

This requires waiting without clear direction.  I feel like I am in an ‘in-between’ place while I cling to all that I was or even still am, while the new vision is coming forth.  God is teaching me the new formula for my life, and it can be scary.

   

The loss of stability and comfort from the years of ‘normalcy’ is now no longer in view.  Everything is different. Yet I can feel myself growing.  It seems daily I face my ‘first year of firsts’.  My heart races and I cry as fear and grieving override what seems like good sense.  Yet, I know God is still ‘growing’ me.

HIDDEN DEEP WITHIN

My pendulum swings of emotions leads to confusion, discouragement or even feeling very alone and forgotten.  But waiting is a part of growth.  There’s a lot of ‘hidden’ growth required and completed, even when we can’t see the fruit, as demonstrated by the tiny seed being placed in the ground in early spring.  Growth isn’t immediate.  It comes after the seed is ready underground!

While I am waiting for the ‘new growth’ to finally, not only sprout, but grow strong and steady, I must rely on God during the wind and storms that batter me about.  Sometimes the ‘challenges’ make me stumble and fall over, feeling limp and weak.  Then the sunshine comes out again and I can feel the warmth of the Father who perks me up and allows me to continue to grow. 

I know that I can lift my eyes up toward the heavens and live my life with the single life source of Jesus.   But, it takes resolve, trust, nurturing from friends, family, and other Believers, as well as, a steady diet of His Word and prayer.

STILL GROWING

The pruning process is almost never described as ‘enjoyable.’  It’s often tedious, scary, intimidating, and a place most people choose not to be.  But different seasons of life, are designed for different patterns, people, places and events that will direct our lives.

As Believers clinging to the life giving Vine, we can trust that God only wants what is best for us.  If we are patient and wait, and especially allow Him to do the pruning we need, we will have growth and maturity that will bring the rewards of good fruit, we all want to see.

Photo Credit: Growing on the vine