When I think about the life cycle of our family tree, it's clear that 2018 was a year of:
PRUNING
"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."
John 15:2
Praise God for His (albeit painful at times) pruning process!
I remember pruning our fruit trees in our beloved home on the hill and often they looked a bit marred at first glance...even barren, stricken, forsaken. But they weren't. Because the following spring brought fresh, new, budding potential in the form of promising regrowth. Every time. God uses pruning to prepare for regrowth and eventually a more fruitful harvest in time.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time
we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Galatians 6:9
As I've reflected on the process of pruning we endured through 2018, I'm encouraged as I consider the cycle of our family tree. I'm prayerful as we say hello to 2019 and look forward to regrowth and in His time...a more bountiful harvest from a healthy family tree with roots that sink deep into Him, saturated in the love of God. I know that is His desire and so I want it to be my desire too. So I ask Him over and over to knit my heart to His and fill me with His desires as I delight myself in Him this new year.
May 2019 bring:
REGROWTH
Healthy, pruned, nourished, potential for harvest in the form of God's will through regrowth and in time may that blossom to fruition in new and beautiful ways that bring glory and honor to Him as we aim to bloom right where we're planted.
"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
Isaiah 43:19
May the pruning of 2018 not leave us discouraged (2 Corinthians 4:9) , but rather encouraged by the loving pruning process of our Father. We know He means for it to bear good fruit and as an avenue to know His nurture and grace even more fully and so we continue to place our hope and trust in Him, knowing He has a good plan, knowing He knows what is best, knowing that He loves us and walks with us, leads us and guides us as we step out into 2019...a year of regrowth.
"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit."
John 15:8
