did you ever watch
tree tops
bend in the wind?
did you ever hear
their bare branches creak while swaying in the air?
looks spooky against a sky of steel gray
as if someone
endowed with strength
determines the whole life should break
snapped at the half
a trunk
once whole, now stumped
~~~
His pruning in me
is much like the tree
at His gracious mercy
solemn surrender
a cleansing
a heart-wrecking
the sever
a powerful never
my feet are roots
deepening my soul in His unchanging truth
I refuse to look further
for a life that may be smoother
less rough edges
not as much mess
This.is.Faith
praise the Gardener
confess your sin
with His wisdom you are smarter
grow in hope and trust …
in a reckless abandon of love
As He removes dead branch trash
He promises harvest and blessing,
the beauty of His relationship with you to ever-last
~~~
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me” (John 15: 1-4).
~~~
What is He asking you to cut out of your life so that you will follow Jesus with all your heart? It is a question we shall all ask in prayer regularly, as little slips can lead to a larger downfall into sin fairly quickly.
How awesome is His power in us that raises life from of ashes, victory from of problems, light from every shadow of darkness!
Have a beauty-full week. I will return here after January 21st.
In Christ,
Julie
Faith Hope and Poetry 
Oh Julie, what a poem-prayer! Oh my goodness. The beauty and force of your words that point to The Word are incredible. May He continue to pour into you so it flows out in abundance. And yes, that means heartbreaking pruning along the way. Heavenly Father, may we yield to Your gardener’s hands. Bless you and love you, dear sister!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bless you and love you back dear Melissa. Thank you for being here. You are a light burning bright with encouragement. He is so good as I meditate on His truth. Experienced some pruning yesterday, so out the words came!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That pruning, cleansing, heart-wrecking place is where I have been for over a year. Hurt so deep that at times I cannot pray, cannot write, can’t see the sun. But I know God is working. I have faith.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my dear Norma, His promise to bring us out of the wilderness different than when we arrived are hope. It is amazing the love He shows when teaching us to let go and allow growth. Sending you a warm hug to day, Norma💛.
LikeLike