As I was working really hard to trim back an Indian Hawthorne that we have, He reminded me of the words Jesus shared concerning the vine and the branches. We had sprayed some Round Up to get rid of some unwanted trees and vines - that's Red Neck pruning - and as would have it got some of it on the Indian Hawthorne which we did not want to get rid of.
However, the chemical got to it and it started to die. As I cut it back trying to get to the root so we can completely get it out and start over, the Lord reminded me of a few things.
Yes, we need pruning and sometimes in the process of getting rid of the bad we also injure the good. Notice I said "injure". The root of the Hawthorne was still strong and underneath the leaves and mulch there was new growth. Amazing! I had to dig deep to find it but it was there.
So it is with us. Things happen in us that cause us to bear poor fruit. God prunes and in the process even some of the good stuff might get hurt. But at the root - new growth occurs!
Aren't we glad!
