As I entered middle school – way back when – my dad had just completed building a new house for our family. We moved in and all seemed so bare. The inside of the house needed to be decorated and have things hung on the walls. As well as the outside of the house that needed grass, trees, and landscaping.
Years later we had settled in and it felt like home. Mom had done an awesome job. The inside was beautiful and the landscaping was immaculate. It was gorgeous. Our trees were no longer little twigs – they were full grown beautiful trees that provided a lot of shade.
He decided to prune.
One day Daddy announced he needed to prune the trees so they would grow back even fuller. He went about his business and I continued to jam out to my 45’s in my room. Those were the days, right?
Later when I went outside, I about croaked! The trees were pruned alright. Heavens, they were branchless. I was so embarrassed. Our beautiful shaded yard was now just bare with tree trunks standing. Of course, I gave my dad grief. But he assured me that those trees would grow back even fuller than before.
Months – MANY months – later I learned what pruning was all about – growth.
Daddy was right.
Listen in as we talk about the process of pruning. Daddy was right as our tree produced bigger, fuller, and even more branches than before.
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5 Advantages to Pruning
1. Pruning kills.
Sometimes we need to whack off what is not productive in our lives.
2. Pruning hurts.
Plain and simple — pruning is not fun, but it is essential.
3. Pruning refines.
Before new buds can begin to appear refinement takes place.
4. Pruning adds value.
Once the unproductive has been chopped, your value increases.
5. Pruning creates growth.
“Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleansesand repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.” John 15:2 AMP
What do you need to prune away today?
Don’t hesitate to chop the unproductive schedule, relationship, or habit.
New growth is waiting to bloom outward.
You never cease to amaze me. Your timing is always perfect. Thank you so much for sharing this today. We needed to hear this. We’ve been praying about some changes for a while and the timing of this is so encouraging. Perfect timing…perfect timing indeed. THANKS AGAIN!
So thankful!!! I hope your changes are coming along smoothly.
Such a great message, Alene. I need to do some serious hacking at some distractions!