“For Whom the Lord loves, He chastens. And scourges every son whom he receives.”
~Hebrews 12: 6-11~
How about that for some good news, huh?
On the receiving end of a tough situation, St.Teresa of Avila exclaimed: “If this is the way You treat Your friends, no wonder you have so few!”
St. Teresa was a little exasperated, and who could blame her? No one is a big fan of troubles, or of being directed away from where they want to go.
A Modern Parable
We had some bushes that were overgrown. The branches inside the bush were bare; the outer branches had very few leaves. I decided to cut it all down to the stump.
I could have left the bushes alone. But I wanted to give them a chance to be renewed. The plants did roar back to life, healthy and budding in the warming Spring temperatures.
Jesus does the same thing with me. The Good Shepherd wants me on the right path. He wants me in the healthy and full life of the Spirit.
If the things I don’t need aren’t cut back, my inner life would become as barren as those interior branches. Apart from him, my faith and works are as sparse as the leaves on the outer branches. Instead of the love of God filling and spilling out of me, I’d produce less and less fruit.
If the things I don’t need aren’t cut back, my inner life would become as barren as those interior branches. Apart from him, my faith and works are as sparse as the leaves on the outer branches. Instead of the love of God filling and spilling out of me, I’d produce less and less fruit.
The Pruning
I wanted to go on a retreat. I poked around the Internet, trying to find a retreat center located in a rural setting. I was looking for a ‘silent’ retreat. It would give me some time to be alone with the Lord. A Spiritual Director would be on site, ready to meet daily, to discuss my prayer life.
Every time I picked a date for the retreat, something would come up. I couldn’t get the time off, or one of the kids was coming home from college on break. I never found one that easily slid into my schedule. I finally gave up.
Looking back, I believe that it just wasn’t the right time for me to go. My life at home was busy, so my place was there. Jesus did not want to me to leave. He wanted to bless me in my work at home.
I thought I had it all figured out, right down to the type of retreat I wanted. But I was getting frustrated at every turn. Every new plan I had was quietly chopped to pieces. God knew exactly what I needed. I needed to be home.
Like St. Teresa, I’m sure I’ll have plenty of pruning experiences in my future. Can’t be a saint without them. At the time, they won’t make any sense at all. But with his light and understanding, I’ll see his gentle leadership.
Like St. Teresa, I’m sure I’ll have plenty of pruning experiences in my future. Can’t be a saint without them. At the time, they won’t make any sense at all. But with his light and understanding, I’ll see his gentle leadership.
I’ll probably get a little exasperated. But I’ll get over it. I’ll need to, because the next pruning spot has been chosen.
And here we go again….
Oh, Ceil … how well I know about the chastising of the Lord. It surely isn’t a pleasant experience, but how wonderful to know that, as a parent to a child, He loves me enough to correct me whenever I’m getting a little wild and crazy. Pruning is necessary for our growth, just as you so eloquently put it.
Have a blessed week!
Hi Dayle! I think we can all tell stories about pruning. It sure isn’t fun at the time, but hopefully we learn from the experience. I like how you said he ‘loves me enough to correct me.’ Such a good point, thank you!
Good parents correct their children because they love them. Our Father is the best parent!
Have a great Wednesday
Ceil
Hi Ceil,
I must admit I quite enjoy being pruned, I have never liked ‘excess baggage’, and the reason that the pruning has to take place is because God loves me and wants what is best for me. Lovely post and good parable to use.
God bless
Hi Brenda! You are so amazing, Brenda. I think God loves you so much because you have so much faith. I can see why you would love pruning because it gets you where you want to go. And that is so humble too.
I would rather just get it right the first time and skip the pain. But that’s not how to get to heaven, which you know so well.
Blessings!
Ceil
I must admit I often said St Teresa’s comment about friends when I was ill. My self-pity asked: Why me?
But God knows best and He teaches us to wait for something He has planned for us – a retreat, a new job, or whatever we ask for.
I tend to be impatient though. I now pray: God give me patience but hurry up about it !!!
God bless.
Hi Victor! Oh, haven’t we all been there? Wondering why God ‘loves us’ so much? And it is self-pity, you are right.
I have heard that patience quote before, and it does just crack me up. Thanks for my morning smile, Victor
Happy Wednesday!
Ceil
Sometimes pruning is never fun, but it is required for all of us to be saints-as you said. It can’t be frustrating to be headed in one direction and be changed (or just stopped) mid-course. Been here many times. Always turns out better. Blessings, friend.
Hi Kim! What a wonderful thing to be able to say…that it always turns out better. God is just amazing, isn’t he? I think it shows me how little I know, and makes me realize who is running my life.
I think I am, but he really has the big plan. And it’s so much more than I would ever imagine.
Thank you for your blessings, Kim. I hope you have a great day! I am always so happy to see you
Ceil
Yep..I am like you..need pruning…sure seems like that is all I am doing lately..because I sure have been exasperated, throwing my arms up in the air..but..HE knows..HE sure does. Have a blessed day..
Hi Linda! And it’s not a lot of fun, is it? If even a saint can get exasperated, I feel like we are in very good company.
He does know, and he will make it all better. So much better, even if the process is hard. I will be praying for you, my friend. And hoping you have a really good day
Hugs,
Ceil
A beautifully written piece, Ceil. I love that you use examples from real life…and that you illustrate the spiritual. The pruning is hard, but if we keep our eyes focused on the Lord then we realize it was for our good. I’ve been there many times.
Hi Dianna! Thank you for your kind words. That is exactly what I like to do. God is in the everyday, and it takes a while, but I hope to see that more and more.
I’m sure we could swap pruning stories, right? The Father loves us so much, he won’t leave us alone. And that’s a good thing!
Wednesday blessings,
Ceil
Good morning, SONshine! I was wondering if you’ve ever seen those pretty southern trees ‘crepe myrtles’? If you don’t prune every little off-shoot while they are young they turn into gigantic bushes that hog half the yard! If you prune them properly they turn into taller trees that are just a riot of glorious color that you can sit under and enjoy. Your story reminded me of this. Most of us would be content to be flower-laden hogs taking up the corner of the yard, wouldn’t we? After all, Yah made us this way…right? BUT, we can be SO much more! We can be a thing of real beauty for our Father! I don’t relish the pruning but I desire, above all else, to be worthy of being the daughter of the King! I am going to meet you one day and give you a real hug, sweet friend! Kelly
Hi Kelly! I am not familiar with those plants, but they sure sound like they tell a story, don’t they? Thank you for sharing it with me.
I am very sure that I could live life just soaking up sunshine, but God has better plans for me. I need to sit still and let him cut back all the extra stuff I don’t need.
Like you, I want to be a thing of beauty for my Father!
It would be so fun to meet, wouldn’t it? You’d make me some tea in your new water pot, and I’ll bring some banana bread
So good to see you, as always Kelly!
Ceil
Hi Ceil, great practical post! I love the visual of the bushes being pruned and in so doing the grew back healthy and full of vigour. Hmm, I’ve had some recent pruning. Time to grow back with vigour and joy in the Lord
God bless
Tracy
Hi Tracy! I was just reading something about pulling back from all the busy ministry work, and figuring out where you really need to put your effort. I think I’ve been doing that for the last six months or so.
It is time to see how I can grow in the fields where the Lord wants me to be.
Have a good evening!
Ceil
Hi Ceil.. good post (:)
thanks on my santas..I posted a how to on my blog today hugs,,(:) Patty
Hi Patty! Thank you. And I’ll be on over to check out your craft! (Maybe I can learn how to do it?)
Thanks for letting me know
Ceil
Just did some pruning myself this week, Ceil, and found out later I nipped off the raspberry bushes by mistake (thought those thorny things were a rose bush of some sort). Thankfully, God knows us better than I know plants and He trims only what is needed.
Hi Pam! Oh my, that is so funny! I am hopeless with flowers, I just know I like them. I hope your raspberries will come up again?
He is the best gardener, you are so right about that. I depend on him to help me figure out what has to go, or be cut back. Hopefully I cut the right things!
Thanks for the smile
Ceil
How beautiful this parable Ceil and we talked about this in our Bible study
and I love your attitude to responding God and invite us to follow Him more.
Many time s I almost give up on the process but His mercy is good and He always has beautiful ending.
Ceil, it’s more than two weeks and I havent heard from Stephanie about the package, will you praying for this please. I’m just worried about this.
I hope you’re doing well.
Love,
Delvalina
Hi Delvalina! Thank you for your kind comment. Oh, I give up some times too. I think as people, we all have to accept that we’re not perfect, that’s for sure.
I did write to Stephanie about the package. Maybe you did too? We’ll see if she has received anything. Please don’t worry, I’m sure it will come.
I am doing well. It was a rough day yesterday with the funeral of my friends daughter. It’s going to be tough for her for a long time. I pray that I can be a good friend to her.
Blessings!
Ceil
Wow Ceil,
This is a very good post…lots to think over and apply to my life. Many things struck me…but especially this, “If the things I don’t need aren’t cut back, my inner life would become as barren as those interior branches. Apart from him, my faith and works are as sparse as the leaves on the outer branches. Instead of the love of God filling and spilling out of me, I’d produce less and less fruit.”
These day, I’m seeing sparse fruit. The busyness is like the empty branches. Thanks for helping me to see things from a different perspective. So glad I stopped by today. The Lord had a divine appointment for me today.
Blessings in Christ…Susan
Hi Susan! I am so glad that you could relate to this post. I know that busyness is a real trap for me. I think if I have lots to do, then I have a full day. But do I? I really need the down time of prayer and time to serve my family. It’s all about balance, right?
It’s so nice to see you Susan! I am so glad you stopped by today too. Have a wonderful afternoon, my friend.
Ceil
It’s tough but so necessary to go through the pruning. But if we want to produce “much fruit” it is needful. Praising the Lord for He knows exactly how much we need and His timing is always perfect. Help us Lord to patiently endure knowing You love us. Thanks for sharing Ceil. Sorry to be MIA, still recovering from bronchitis and a “bug” in my laptop. God bless!
Hi Natalie! Oh no, you are still sick? That really stinks Natalie, I’m so sorry! I know you are usually so busy with the babysitting, church groups and your cards. I will keep you in my prayers for healing.
His time is always perfect, you are so right. Even if I think I have a better idea, he knows best.
Hope your laptop gets better too!
Hugs,
Ceil
Oh Lord prune away…prune away!
Hi Peggy! You sure have a wonderful attitude. I pray that I’ll be as much of a grown-up as you are!
Have a good afternoon my friend,
Ceil
God is the only One I’d want coming at me with a set of pruning shears! He alone is qualified to do the pruning in my life.
I’m not familiar with the type of retreat you were looking for. I did attend a senior retreat at Gull Lake Ministries, near Battle Creek, this fall. It was good, but it wasn’t quiet.
Hi Linda! You make a good point. We should always look to the Lord for pruning, he is the one who knows us best.
I have never been on a silent retreat, so I wanted to try it. Not the best thing for me at that time, I guess! Someday I’ll get there, and then I can explain it better. Yours sounds like a lot of fun, and I’m sure you felt renewed and refreshed. God is so good!
Blessings!
Ceil
I’ve never been on a silent retreat either but I would like to one day! Not sure when the time will be right for me either. I might get too frustrated if I kept planning for it and it didn’t work out. ha. Let me know if you end up going anytime soon!
Hi Lisa! It is frustrating to make up your mind, and then not have it work out. But, the timing is just not right I guess! God knows best, no question.
A friend of mine just got back from a silent retreat in the Smokey Mountains. It sounded fantastic. If I ever go to one, I’ll let you know!
Thank you for your visit today
Ceil
Oh, I so relate to this! Years ago, I thought I was going to go and apprentice under a world-renowned violin maker and become a violin maker. I couldn’t figure out the financing, the housing, none of it. I was so sad when things weren’t lining up and I had to let go of that dream. But, here’s the thing. I’m an extrovert! God knew that work would be too solitary for me. Instead, he called me to ministry, sent me to grad school to get a M.Div., gave me a husband and three beautiful children (so far). He knew that I needed to be surrounded with people in order to fulfill my life’s purpose and calling. God is amazing like that!
Hi Anne! I really love your comments, you have such great perspectives, and so much to share! You wanted to be a violin maker? That’s fascinating. How does anyone come to that decision? But God knew you wouldn’t be happy there, and I have a similar experience, which I will write about sometime.
I am so happy that you can see where God was leading. So many times we live in regret because we figure it’s all our fault, or doesn’t it stink that we don’t get what we want? But you can see that he was calling you to many more adventures
Love the part of about “three beautiful children (so far)”. Who knows what God has in store?
Thank you for your always insightful thoughts…Love them!
Ceil