Pruning

I trimmed the little tree in front of our house this past Saturday. It looks pretty hideous at the moment, and should have been done last fall, but I've cut it back like this before and it's turned out well every time.

I generally try to prune this tree every other year, but I think I forgot the last time or two. It got a little out of control. Anyway, there are many reasons why pruning a tree is important. It can influence the way a tree grows and is shaped, adds vitality to overall health, and provides strength to the base, among other things.

Of course, it's pretty easy to see the correlation between tree pruning and the biblical idea of God pruning us for growth and to shape our lives. I believe he wants us to be productive and fruitful. That does NOT mean being able to do more things or have more stuff though (in my humble opinion). Sometimes when we are pruned we may even look worse off, like this poor little tree. But our Creator knows how to provide for us and what's best for us in the long run.

Incidentally, my prayer this morning - from my reading of Proverbs 30 - was that I might live an honest life and learn to be content with just enough (not too little and not too much). It's a lofty goal, I know. I hope it doesn't result in a pile of spare parts like from this tree. [Btw, I was glad the son-in-law was able to haul these limbs away for us]

***

"But the fruit of the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these." -Galatians 5:22-23