Gentle Reader,
It’s Friday (kind of)! We link up with Lisa-Jo (but this week Tonya is guest-posting and it’s awesome)! We write about: hands.
Go.
The Lord doesn’t speak to me in an audible voice. There are no burning bushes. No directions to build an ark. His voice is quiet. It is an impression on my soul. Yet it is authoritative. He says something, I respond. I have to. I’ve learned the hard way that ignoring Him leads to no good end.
Last night, as I was on the verge of breaking down, I opened my journal and began to pour out all my confused, twisted, rambling thoughts and feelings. I was ready to sob. Ready to scream.
Ready to cave in and give up.
“John Fifteen.”
Two words.
I flipped open my Bible and 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. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. – vs. 1-8 (NKJV)
God the Gardener. God the Tender of Tender Flowers.
In His hands, He holds the shears. He knows when and where to cut. He knows what needs to be gotten rid of and what needs to be delicately cut back so that it will produce more. Abundantly more. Flowers weeping rich fragrance. Fruit full of juicy goodness.
His hands, His beautiful, nail-scarred hands, hold each green, pulsing stalk. He considers them. He looks them over. And He cuts. Precisely. Significantly.
Never to dampen the plant. Never to break its spirit.
To make it grow.
Stop.
Pruning hurts. I won’t tell you that it doesn’t. But knowing that God, the Creator of all things, knows the plan backwards, forwards and inside out; that He knows exactly what to throw away and what to cherish; that He works within, around and through me to make me into exactly the person I am supposed to be…that gives me comfort.
To read all the posts in The Detox Diaries series, go here.
I am impressed with your candor and I applaud your courage. May the Lord continue to bless you with the strength you need for the journey. Love you bunches!
LikeLike
You bless me, Aunt Lenore. Every time. 🙂
LikeLike
I love this because it is oh so very true. I love how you opened your Bible when you heard that voice! God is so amazing and I have no doubt that he is tender and that he spoke to you! Keep listening for he won’t lead you wrong!
LikeLike
Amen, Marisa!
LikeLike
Such a powerful passage, that! May He grant you strength and patience even in pruning season ..
LikeLike
Thank you, Kate! I know He will.
LikeLike
So glad to find your blog, and to read this, Marie. Thank you for the reminder to trust the faithful, all-wise Vine-dresser. Blessings!
LikeLike
Glad to “meet” you, Courtney! We all go through these seasons, and I know I need to be reminded often to trust in Him.
LikeLike
Great to “meet” you, too Marie!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
WE NEED THIS!!!!
LikeLike
“His hands, His beautiful, nail-scarred hands, hold each green, pulsing stalk. He considers them. He looks them over. And He cuts. Precisely. Significantly.
Never to dampen the plant. Never to break its spirit.
To make it grow.”
SO beautiful! This describes our Father so perfectly.
LikeLike
Yes! He is so much gentler than I ever realize. Thanks for coming by, Kaylene!
LikeLike
I absolutely love where you took this prompt. John 15 is one of my favorite passages. And you’re right: sometimes the pruning hurts, but it’s always SO worth it in the end. Hang in there, sister! And let me know if I can help with anything.
LikeLike
It is worth it. Always. Thank you so much for the encouragement and the offer!
LikeLike
I am so enjoying following you! You write so beautifully and always have something meaningful to say. Thank you for what you are doing
LikeLike
Oh, thank you for the compliment! All the credit goes to God. He’s the one enabling me to get through this.
LikeLike
I love that part of scripture. Always painful for a season but in due time we bear fruit. God is at work in it all.
LikeLike
Amen, sister. Amen.
LikeLike
God’s timing is impeccable and His words are the balm for our souls! This was beautiful, Marie and I was blessed by hearing God’s word through you!
LikeLike
I’m so glad this lifted your heart, Mary!
LikeLike
This is beautiful and powerful. We never like being pruned, but to remember that it is in His nail scarred hands that the pruners are held. Powerful!
LikeLike
His hands are indeed powerful, Amy!
LikeLike
“Flowers weeping rich fragrance. Fruit full of juicy goodness.” So Much Yes and Amen! This is what we want and it really never comes in fullness until we have experienced the Gardeners’ Master touch! Loved this fmf post! So happy I stopped by!
LikeLike
I’m so glad this blessed you, Karrilee! God knows what He’s doing. He makes the most beautiful gardens. We just have to learn to be still and accept His touch, His pruning…easier said than done.
LikeLike
Pruning hurts, but it’s such a comfort to know we are in His hands–for they are gentle, and know exactly what to prune (this I need to remember, I tend to want to self-prune–which isn’t very productive!)
LikeLike
So very beautiful! I love that chapter!
Traci Michele @Ordinary Inspirations: http://www.ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com
LikeLike
So glad to have blessed you. God’s Word is wonderful, isn’t it? Thanks for stopping by, Traci!
LikeLike