Bearing Fruit

Although I myself am not what one would call a gardener, to my delight, my husband is really becoming a wonderful one. I love being able to receive the fruits of his labor each time I look out our windows and see lush and green grass, budding spring flowers, and several types of trees. Each one is thoughtfully placed just-so for everyone to enjoy.

Among the variety of trees he has planted are two apple trees. To my wonderment and joy, as of this week, they are both springing forth with new tiny buds. Many of these buds hold the potential to become delicious apples.

Behind the scenes it's hard work to produce these now buds and future apples. In order for these trees to bear any fruit they have to be tenderly cared for, watered, fertilized and pruned.

In my limited knowledge of gardening, I understand that pruning is the process of cutting back the old growth thus allowing for the growth of new branches. These will in turn support the new fruit.

It seems ironic to me that you must cut back and remove in order to create more branches -- bigger and stronger ones.

The other thing that amazes me is that this is not a "one time" thing. The pruning needs to be done consistently in order to maintain and encourage more growth for the future. This is indeed hard work. However, the delicious fruit, when harvested, far outweighs the hard work put forth to produce the very thing that the tree was created for -- to bear much fruit.

Although it seems funny to compare, we are not unlike a fruit tree. We were created for a far grander purpose though. We are intended to bear much fruit as well. This fruit appears different and unique for each of us.

However, one thing is the same. We all need to be "pruned" often to shed the old growth that is hindering us from growing stronger, healthier and bearing much fruit.

I believe this is where God steps in. HE is the Master Gardner who gently and graciously removes these branches that are dead and are standing in our way of great growth. Try as we might, we can not successfully do this on our own.

As I reflect back on my life thus far, I can distinctly point out times where after dropping the "unfruitful" tendencies, that were in great need of pruning, the result was tremendous growth and fruit. I can honestly say that I came out of the experience more healthy and able to produce fruit in other people's lives as well, through God's grace.

At the time I only recognized the pain and discomfort I was in, but when I did actually allow God to help me by shaping and molding me, as a gardner who skillfully knows how to remove each branch, I came out of it feeling lighter and less weighed down.


Right now as I look out, I am enjoying the beauty in the beginning buds from the "fruits" of my husband's hard work in our garden and, in a different light, I'm also seeing the handiwork of God. He is continuing to shape me into the creation with the fruits that He specifically intended for me to bare. Although challenging at times, it' exciting and rewarding.

I say all this, not that I proclaim to have "arrived", but merely to share with you that I recognize I'm in the life-long process of being pruned in order to be more fruitful -- all made possible with God's loving help, for the benefit of others.

~"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control..."
Galatians 5:22~