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 “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 does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” ~ John 15:1-5 (ESV)  Before I share with you my thoughts on the above passages today, I have a confession to make. I have ‘black thumbs’—honestly, I cannot grow plants; indoor or outdoor. This makes me really sad, because I love plants and flowers. My three little indoor plants looked very sick. Although I had watered them, they were dying. I told my husband that I wanted to try to ‘rescue’ them. We bought some organic soil and some clay pots at the home-improvement store across the way. I grabbed my poor little plants, took them out of the plastic container, added my organic soil to the clay-pots, trimmed off the dead parts and set the plants into the new soil… As I was going about trying to ‘rescue’ the plants, the above passages came to mind. Sometimes our Lord needs to cut some dead branches off of us. Sometimes He even needs to replant us into a better soil in order for us to bear more fruit. I am not sure if my plant felt anything when I moved them into the new soil and cut their dead branches. When our Lord replants and cuts away dead branches from us, it is always hurtful. Well, it is true for me. Over the years I have learned that through replanting, losses, sickness and cutting away my dead branches, I have grown in my faith. I know that God, even though it might hurt, has my well-being in mind. Next time He plans to up-root you and plant you into new soil, don’t be afraid. It might hurt, but it will be for your benefit. To grow you in your faith so you might be able to share with others in their sufferings. As for my three houseplants? Only time will tell if I was able to ‘rescue’ them. I pray that I replanted them just in time to be beautiful again… Lord of Heaven and Earth. I know that You have to prune and cut away dead branches in order for me to bear more fruit. Lord, I want to stay close to your vine. I know that I am just a branch and cannot produce fruit on my own. I trust that what ever happens in my life will be a process to grow in my faith and my trust in You. In the precious name of Jesus ~ Amen. As you are celebrating Memorial Day in the US today, please remember the fallen and currently serving soldiers in your prayers…  Visit me at my personal blog: Sting My Heart Labels: Iris's Articles, Purpose, relationship with Christ
Comments:
Iris this blessed me as God is busy transplanting us from one country to another a whole ocean away. This may sound exciting and it is but there are things that we have to face, that we might never see out parents again as they are old and not sure what the future holds, our oldest daughter is not moving with us, you wonder is she going to be okay... I know she is in His hand... but as a mom you do worry. Will the people accept us, will our children make friends easily... as you said it can hurt but we must rest in His decision for our lives. love always me
I can't grow indoor plants either. They always look so forlorn. But outdoor plants I don't have as much trouble with. :)
I guess you must all have a long weekend today then?
Very true, from one black thumb to another, it does hurt, but it is for His glory.
Great thoughts for today. Wow double in one day...
It's a good thing all the pruning and replanting doesn't kill us. I know for sure I'd be sitting at the throne long before now!
Iris,
This post is beautiful. Eloquent and a nice devotion for the day. I am feeling an uprooting is not far off in my future. Need this.
I love this analogy Iris. This spring I pruned my outdoor plants back as far as I could cut them. They looked so forlorn when I was finished. But they have grown more luxurious than they have ever been before. You are so right. The pruning is painful, but it seems to be necessary for a strong, healthy, fruitful life.
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