In John 15:1-2, we read: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”
“Do I hear mumbling coming from you, Timmy?”
“Grandfather, why can’t we let these shrubs grow. They’re round,” He tilted his head. “Well, sort of.”
“We aren’t keeping them from growing. We taking out the weak parts. “Look here.” He held a stalk with brown leaves, then cut it out. “Now more light can get in and there’ll be new healthy growth.
“We prune and shape the healthy plant. When the storms come, they’ll survive.”
“Look at the difference, Grandfather.” Two shrubs, side by side, one trimmed, one not.
“Which one looks better?”
“You want me to say the one we trimmed?” Timmy asked. Grandfather chuckled.
“No, son. Tell me the truth. Which one looks best?”
“The trimmed one, Grandfather. But you already know.”
“Yes. But I want you to see the difference. Remember the little boy we saw at the grocery store yesterday?”
“The one screaming because he couldn’t have candy at the checkout?” Grandfather smiled. “His mother picked him up, left her groceries, and took him outside.” Timmy thought for a minute. “His mother is shaping him into a healthy boy. He can’t have everything he wants?”
“Right. He’s in training. Just like the rest of us. We have a Heavenly Father who loves us and wants us to bear fruit. The fruit of love, joy, peace...”
“He loves me that much?”
“He does, indeed.”
Kingdom Thinking. The Lord Jesus loves me with an everlasting love. He promises never to leave nor forsake me. He loves you, too. Won’t you come to Him?
“Do I hear mumbling coming from you, Timmy?”
“Grandfather, why can’t we let these shrubs grow. They’re round,” He tilted his head. “Well, sort of.”
“We prune and shape the healthy plant. When the storms come, they’ll survive.”
“Look at the difference, Grandfather.” Two shrubs, side by side, one trimmed, one not.
“Which one looks better?”
“You want me to say the one we trimmed?” Timmy asked. Grandfather chuckled.
“No, son. Tell me the truth. Which one looks best?”
“The trimmed one, Grandfather. But you already know.”
“Yes. But I want you to see the difference. Remember the little boy we saw at the grocery store yesterday?”
“The one screaming because he couldn’t have candy at the checkout?” Grandfather smiled. “His mother picked him up, left her groceries, and took him outside.” Timmy thought for a minute. “His mother is shaping him into a healthy boy. He can’t have everything he wants?”
“Right. He’s in training. Just like the rest of us. We have a Heavenly Father who loves us and wants us to bear fruit. The fruit of love, joy, peace...”
“He loves me that much?”
“He does, indeed.”
Kingdom Thinking. The Lord Jesus loves me with an everlasting love. He promises never to leave nor forsake me. He loves you, too. Won’t you come to Him?
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