Trimming

A few weeks ago on a particularly warm Saturday, Steven decided to work on trimming the trees. One that required some attention was the magnolia in our backyard. It has always been one of my favorite trees and it needed a little shaping up.

A few of the branches were so heavy they were hanging to the ground. Some branches were crossing; others were sparse or dead.

And so the pruning began.

Both of us equipped with trimmers, Steven started on one side and I on the other. Little by little we began to reshape the tree. As we met in the middle, Steven wondered, “Why is tree-trimming so satisfying?”

There are places in my life that could use a little shaping and perhaps a bit of pruning - how about yours?

We can become indifferent to our own dragging-the-ground branches that are not bearing healthy new growth; or maybe apathy is our attitude towards the askew or deficient parts.

Maybe we don’t spend quiet time with Him anymore or our prayer life is infrequent. Maybe we’ve let a complaining attitude become the norm of our days. Maybe we’re complacent about matters that we should be addressing.

A quick check will show us if we’re growing in the fruits of the Spirit or if our souls are suffering as less important things crowd them out.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25 NIV

We must not neglect our soul care.

God offers to help us with the pruning. And maybe it’s a bit hard and even painful at first. But He loves us and always wants the very best for us.

His Word helps trim away what needlessly weighs us down. In an ongoing process, He realigns our focus to be in tune with His will for our lives. He guides us in centering our lives and fixing our eyes on our Savior.

This is a satisfying trimming of the very best kind.

So if you feel like your life has gone a little toward the wild side, and you long to recover control - just ask. The Master Gardener can help you prune and trim and shape your life so it more closely resembles the abundance He’s calling you to. You will begin to look more and more like your Savior.

And that will be beautiful to behold.

Today is a GOOD day!

Natalie