"Pruning means cutting, reshaping, removing what diminishes vitality. When we look at a pruned vineyard, we can hardly believe it will bear fruit. But when the harvest comes, we realize that the pruning allowed the vines to concentrate their energy and produce more grapes. Grateful people learn to celebrate even amid life's hard and harrowing memories because they know that pruning is no mere punishment, but preparation.
When our gratitude for the past is only partial, our hope for the future can likewise never be full. But our submitting to God's pruning work will not ultimately leave us sad, but hopeful for what can happen in us and through us. Harvesttime will bring its own blessings...pg19"
Harvesttime.
Turn My Mourning into Dancing by Henri Nouwen
4 comments:
If you are being pruned, it means you have bourne fruit and God plans for you to bear more. It takes a lot of spiritual maturity to realize that in the middle of the pain. I know God has more amazing things planned for you and your family.
What an amazing picture and passage.
Press On
Oh, it's so true! I can honestly say the times in my life when things were the hardest are the times when God has grown me the most.
Things really look ugly for a time, but we reap benefits of the pruning in the long run. I'm just grateful the Gardener knows what He's doing!
Amen! Well said!
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