Excuse Me, But You Have Something Green On Your Thumb

"Excuse Me, But You Have Something Green On Your Thumb"

She stood there, gripping the chain saw as it rumbled eagerly in the early morning fog. The fingers of her other hand curled around a pitchfork handle. The plants watched.....waited, quaking in their roots.

OK. So it wouldn't make the top ten reading list. Still, my plants would probably concur that this "slash and bag" method is a clear picture of my horticultural efforts. At least twice a year, generally fall and spring, I tear myself away from the housework, grab a giant pair of shears, and head out to do some major damage. Does one plant need to be pruned to about six inches from the ground? Hey--must be good for the rest of them, then. And woe to the ground cover that dare encroach itself on the bare soil. I'll just rip up the whole lot of it.

Amazingly, the plants that I have pruned have managed to survive. I didn't say bloomed, but survived (even the little crocus bulbs that sat in our garage for months, right next to my bag of good intentions). One cold November night, my guilt got the best of me. By the light of the silvery porch, I dug holes, threw in some bone meal, and buried the bulbs, (though I'm sure it wasn't the requisite six inches). I'm still waiting for the neighbors to appear on their porches when the squad car arrives. "Mrs. Janke, you're under arrest for planticide, and for impersonating a gardener. I'm going to read you your plants' rights."

Isn't it reassuring to read about the Master Gardener? His pruning is always right on schedule, not when He gets around to it. While He is cultivating, He protects us, for He longs for growth and fruit in our lives. Our part is to remain (John 8:31, "hold" is remain). Sounds easy enough, right? How does that happen? It involves a continual exercise of our faith It can also include loving, believing obedience (John 15:9-10-- did I just read the word, obedience?) It's a process-- something that doesn't just happen. It takes work on our part, too.
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me." (John 15:4)

Pruning may not always be a pleasant experience as He cleans (purges, prunes, 15:2; cleans, 15:3) our life through His Word. It is very necessary if we are on our way to bearing fruit, more fruit, and much fruit (15:8). "Herein is my Father glorified ..." (15:8).

Maybe I will take another look at my garden.

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