Are you cut off or being pruned?

                To me, the very novice landscaper, those terms mean exactly the same thing.  I remember a few years ago the first and only time I was allowed to use a yard tool- the hedge trimmers. 

                My mission: the side yard.

                I was supposed to gently prune the shrubs into shape.  The yaupons, compacta holly, Indian Hawthorn, and gardenia lined up before me like rows of green sheep ready to be shorn.  I was a bit daunted by the task but like most new things I encounter, I was up for the challenge.

                I eagerly approached that first little yaupon.  It was so round and compact, close to the ground like a bushy green afro.  With trimmers in hand, I imitated the motion I had been instructed to use- kind of a gentle sweeping arc over the top.

                In theory, I’m sure that would have worked with an experienced user at the helm.  However, when those ravenous, little trimmer teeth grabbed a hold of the branches, millions of shredded leaves and bits of twig went flying everywhere.  Then I understood the allure of the power tool.  What instant gratification!  And I have to say, “What a rush!”  Instantly, the yaupon was transformed.  Was it for the better? No, probably not.  Anyhow, I finished off that one and moved on.  Zealously, I encountered the next one… several ninja-style sweeping arcs later- another “masterpiece”.  I was thrilled!  In fact, I was able to move through that side bed leaving waves of green in my wake in a third of the time it would/should take an experienced landscaper.  I was so proud of my work.

                However, the part owner of the yard and tool was not.  I was proudly surveying all my handiwork when I heard a gasp from behind me.  “OH MY GOSH JENN!  WHAT IN THE WORLD HAVE YOU DONE?!?  YOU HAVE KILLED ALL OF OUR SHRUBS!!!”  I’m sure you can imagine my surprise at this reaction.  Then I received a heated, fervent discussion on the evils of cutting back too much.  In other words, what I did must not have been pruning and probably just killed hundreds of dollars worth of perfectly good shrubs.

                Admittedly, that summer the side yard was not the crown jewel of the neighborhood.  It was truly an eyesore.  Ugly, little misshapen blobs of green… A few months later, the shrubs looked a tad bit better but still a little off.

                Well, fast forward to the next summer…  Guess what!  The shrubs needed pruning again.  In fact, you couldn’t even tell that any butchering had ever occurred.  In my opinion and the opinion of a few supportive friends, they even looked healthier than years past.

                Hmm… I’m not a master gardener by any means but could this example of my pruning parallel the 2^nd verse in chapter 15 in the book of John?  This is where we find Jesus talking to His disciples about being the true vine and the Father being the vinedresser.   Verse 2 says, “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 even more fruitful.”

                What does all that actually mean?  Since I obviously had a very remedial understanding of pruning, I decided to Google it and this is what I found.  “Pruning involves the selective removal of specific plant parts for the benefit of the entire plant.  Pruning should be viewed as a regular part of maintenance rather than as a remedial correction of neglected problems.  Pruning to maintain plant health includes the elimination of dead, dying, or diseased wood.  A dying branch or stub can be an entry point for insects or diseases that could spread to other parts of the plant.”  So, in my very simplistic understanding of these verses, I realize that as a child of God and a branch of my Savior, I will be pruned.  What does pruning look like in my life?  Could it be possibly an unexpected change in my job, my health, my marriage, my finances, my relationships, or my family…?  The list goes on.  At times, we may not really like or appreciate the pruning process but just think of how we can be so much more like Christ in the end.  Thankfully, the Master Gardener that does my pruning does not approach it with the zeal of a Ninja warrior like I did.  He does not hack away needlessly just to feel the rush of watching the pieces fall where they may.  He knows exactly which parts to take off.  He sees the big picture.  In the end, I will be better and most importantly, He will be glorified.

                So today, I challenge you to try a different perspective on your situation.  Try to see what pruning is going on in your life and most importantly thank your Gardener.