We got a notice from the city that it was time for our semi annual (or quarterly or whatever) extra brush pickup coming up this week. This always gets Jimmy excited. It always begins his trimming and pruning of the trees and bushes in our front and back yard for the Spring. Since we've had several days of freezing weather this winter (which we were quite HAPPY about) and are still having some 30-40 degree temps, we had quite a lot of dead branches and flowering plants that needed much pruning. In fact, so much so, Jimmy was unable to do it all by himself.
Jimmy likes some yard work. He even like some pruning. But this year, there is sooooo much, I think it must have overwhelmed him. He is very busy at work and other assorted things. To add the enormous amount of yard work that is needed this year was just too much. So, in a move uncharacteristic of Jimmy, he hired a crew to come and clear out the mess we had in our back yard along with a few things in the front. Over the summer, our back yard looked lush and gorgeous. The bushes matured and bloomed as never before. The crapes were tall and bloomed abundantly. All the flowering plants had butterflies and humming birds attending them the entire summer. Jimmy had done a fantastic job creating a Wonderland. Then the freeze! Our beautiful Wonderland looked burned, even torched! We love the cold after having such hot summers. But our poor plants aren't sure what happened.
The landscaping company did a great job. In fact, things look so pruned....I am wondering if the plants will even come back. Of course we all know when you prune plants the come back fuller and richer. But when you first look at them...one HAS to wonder!
It makes me think of us and when God does His pruning on us. When we sin, our hearts turn brown, scorched and tainted. Not at all beautiful and lush as God created. Then, when the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, draws us to repentance and we are forgiven, that's when the pruning takes place. The old, ugliness is removed or pruned away. We are free to grow new and fresh, beautiful and lush, obedient and pleasing to God - just as He intended. Pruning is never pretty at first. But afterwards...what comes afterwards is always more beautiful than before. Fuller, stronger, prettier, pleasing and a beautiful fragrance.
I can't wait to see and smell our yard and garden this coming summer. I hope that is the way God feels when He finishes with me. Perhaps I should pray for His pruning. Though it may hurt and feel crummy, I am thankful for His pruning. I know when He's finished, I will be pleasing to Him - a sweet, sweet fragrance.
Yes...today, I am thankful for pruning. For new growth and sweet fragrance. I'm thinking Hydrangeas beautiful with a sweet gardenia fragrance! Yeah!
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