The Cutting Away

Several weeks ago, an over zealous lawn care worker used a weed eater on my wife’s prized rose bush, much to her chagrin. She called me at work rather upset by the whole incident, seeking advice about what to do next. Asking for wisdom, the passage from John 15:1-2 came to mind:

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He lifts up; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

Providing comfort to her while providing a different perspective on what happened, I shared with her how it seemed that God had allowed this to happen in order to prune the rose bush. Often times, we are stunned by sudden events that do not make sense at first. We experience hurt or disappointment or loss, and when we turn to God for answers, He is faithful to provide them. We trust and obey, as the old hymn implores. The rose bush was almost destroyed, save a few skinny branches. We watered it and watched as it was transformed into a bud-producing wonder over the next few weeks. At the writing of this, nine buds are on it at once! Three was the most to blossom in the past, before the “pruning” by the weed eater. Trusting God to prune us through great trials brings the blossoms of His majesty and glory in your life, beauty that cannot be produced any other way.