Reflection
We had these beautiful hydrangeas; there were about 8 bushes next to each other under a trellis. In July/August, in full bloom, they were simply breathtaking! Ranging in color from a light pink to periwinkle to a deep purple.
One fall day a few years ago, Shaun decided to prune them way back; they were overtaking our patio and there were a lot of dead branches. I came out to take a look and thought for sure he had killed them all!!!!...... They were no more than a foot tall now, all thinned out and all the dead branches gone. I was sad, and mad at him for killing my beautiful flowers. He said just wait.
Sure enough, come spring, buds began to form. I was encouraged! That summer, when they were fully bloomed, it was glorious! I hadn’t seen them be so healthy, brilliant display of color, more beautiful than before. He said ".....I told you I didn’t kill them".
Jesus has been speaking to me about this exact process, if I would allow. In nearly every equation, situation, or circumstance the thing we most need to shake off is ourselves.
This has been a difficult season for me, even more difficult than any other “winter”, which I loathe. I hate being cold; I hate it being dark at 4:45pm!!! I hate the rain! There are a lot more dislikes than joy.
As I’m asking the Lord why is this so torturous for me, He replies, He wants to help “prune” back my dead branches and help me become healthy.....spirit, soul and body. New growth for a new season! Fullness of Joy, love overflowing and extending to all.
The truth of the matter is that He loves us too much to leave us as we are. If I am willing to release self reliance, independence, pride, resentment, guilt, anger, and all other ugliness that does not look like Jesus, He will heal me and help me look, act, think and speak like Him. My heart is to be an exact replica of Jesus!
John 15:2 "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it that it may bear more fruit"
He cares for the branches connected to me by lifting and propping up the fruitless branches and pruning every fruitful branch to yield a greater harvest. This seems like an amazing exchange! What I know from my relationship with Jesus is that if He has asked something from us, He gives grace to succeed and accomplish! Even though hard, even though scary to release the past, we can trust the One who is always faithful, always loving and compassionate. He wants us to be able to manage, victoriously, what is asked of us, and not feel defeated during the healing process.
As we reflect on 2021 and look to 2022, let’s see what’s deep in our heart with the Holy Spirit’s help, guidance and wisdom and ask........what can I release and let go of? What can we allow the Holy Spirit to prune/cleanse/heal and make way to bear abundant fruit, healthy growth, a new empowering of the One who nourishes us.
Let us go into 2022 with a new, fresh perspective of what the Lord wants to do!!! Let us surrender to all He wants to accomplish in and through us!
Happy New Year friends!
Cheryl Stoddard
February 16, 2022
One fall day a few years ago, Shaun decided to prune them way back; they were overtaking our patio and there were a lot of dead branches. I came out to take a look and thought for sure he had killed them all!!!!...... They were no more than a foot tall now, all thinned out and all the dead branches gone. I was sad, and mad at him for killing my beautiful flowers. He said just wait.
Sure enough, come spring, buds began to form. I was encouraged! That summer, when they were fully bloomed, it was glorious! I hadn’t seen them be so healthy, brilliant display of color, more beautiful than before. He said ".....I told you I didn’t kill them".
Jesus has been speaking to me about this exact process, if I would allow. In nearly every equation, situation, or circumstance the thing we most need to shake off is ourselves.
This has been a difficult season for me, even more difficult than any other “winter”, which I loathe. I hate being cold; I hate it being dark at 4:45pm!!! I hate the rain! There are a lot more dislikes than joy.
As I’m asking the Lord why is this so torturous for me, He replies, He wants to help “prune” back my dead branches and help me become healthy.....spirit, soul and body. New growth for a new season! Fullness of Joy, love overflowing and extending to all.
The truth of the matter is that He loves us too much to leave us as we are. If I am willing to release self reliance, independence, pride, resentment, guilt, anger, and all other ugliness that does not look like Jesus, He will heal me and help me look, act, think and speak like Him. My heart is to be an exact replica of Jesus!
John 15:2 "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it that it may bear more fruit"
He cares for the branches connected to me by lifting and propping up the fruitless branches and pruning every fruitful branch to yield a greater harvest. This seems like an amazing exchange! What I know from my relationship with Jesus is that if He has asked something from us, He gives grace to succeed and accomplish! Even though hard, even though scary to release the past, we can trust the One who is always faithful, always loving and compassionate. He wants us to be able to manage, victoriously, what is asked of us, and not feel defeated during the healing process.
As we reflect on 2021 and look to 2022, let’s see what’s deep in our heart with the Holy Spirit’s help, guidance and wisdom and ask........what can I release and let go of? What can we allow the Holy Spirit to prune/cleanse/heal and make way to bear abundant fruit, healthy growth, a new empowering of the One who nourishes us.
Let us go into 2022 with a new, fresh perspective of what the Lord wants to do!!! Let us surrender to all He wants to accomplish in and through us!
Happy New Year friends!
Cheryl Stoddard
February 16, 2022
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