Morning light drew me, and soon I was severely pruning and amending soil at rose beds edge. I thought of sheep and their nakedness at shearing time. My roses look no less naked this day, after the clippers found their way into my hands. My heart dislikes this gardening chore, as I am sure shearers dislike theirs. It is hard to see beloved plants and animals suddenly made unlovely. And yet, my heart knows it affords increased growth, and health, and beauty. It affords an increase in harvest for my roses that would not be there otherwise. I think upon things that have been pruned in my life, sometimes as severely as roses and sheep, and like them, I know that I am better for it. Thank You Tender Shepherd, Master Gardener, Abba Father.
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Jn. 15:2
