“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.” John 15:1, 2. (NKJV).
“Mumbling coming from you, Timmy?”
“Grandfather, why can’t we let these shrubs grow?” He tilted his head.
“We take out the weak parts. “See here?” He held a stalk with brown leaves, then cut it out. “Now more light and air can get in and space for new growth.
“We prune and shape the healthy plant. When the storms come, they’ll survive. Take these two shrubs.
“Which one looks better?”
“You want me to say the one we trimmed?” Timmy propped his hands on his hips causing Grandfather to chuckle.
“No, son. Tell me the truth.”
“The trimmed one. 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 'cause he didn't get candy at the checkout?” Grandfather smiled. “His mother picked him up and took him outside.” Timmy thought for a minute. “His mother's shaping him? Can’t have everything he wants?”
“Right. He’s in training, like the rest of us. Our Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to bear fruit. The fruit of love, joy, peace...”
“He loves me that much?”
“He does, indeed.”
"So He'll keep on--"
"You're a work in progress."
"It'll hurt, won't it?"
"At times. But He's lovingly working in your life." Timmy's brow furrowed.
"If He loves me and is working on me, that makes me special, huh?"
"Absolutely, son. Absolutely."
"Okay, then. I trust Him." Timmy smiled, hugged his Grandfather.
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?
I'm so glad that I am still a Work In Progress, and still deemed worthy of my Father's pruning. I don't like it. I don't always want to sit still for it, and cry out when He prunes more than I'm willing to give up, but when I look at the new growth and beauty that comes from it, I know it's worth it. Another great post ma'am.
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