The Gardener

The Gardener walks through His garden and sees a branch struggling to bear fruit

“My dear plant, why do you fret?”, asks the Gardener

“I feel tired. Drained. Loathe to do anything. I want to bear beautiful fruit, but I can’t do anything,” said the plant.

“What is bothering you?”

“No matter how hard I try, no matter how many nutrients I receive, I don’t see any fruits.”

“When I see you, I see one struggling to get by on his own power. I see a branch overwhelmed with treesuckers.

My dear plant, I am your Gardener. Why do you feel the need to provide your own nutrients?”

“I want to be seen as a beautiful branch. One that bears so many sweet and beautiful fruits.”

“One cannot bear fruits in the wrong season nor with all your nutrients being sucked away. You try to do so many things and forget the one who remains in control.”

“But Father, even if you take care of me, where do we even begin?”

“Slowly, we must prune those treesuckers from you. They overwhelm and sap away at you. They harbor pests and diseases and prevent your fruits.”

“But Father, those are a part of my branches. Won’t that hurt?”

“Unless you abide in me, as I in you, you will struggle to bear such fruits. Pruning is not easy and it will hurt.”

“Father, how will I know when I am pruned?”

“When I become your life. Your only one. When obedience becomes greater than your ambition.”

“But Father, if I am pruned, when will I bear fruit?”

“My child, why are you in such a hurry? Be patient, for your fruit comes in seasons. Even when the branches around you are blossoming, trust in me and that your fruits will come. Remain in me. Soak in my presence, and may you fill those around you more abundantly.”

“Then teach me to trust in You. To remain in You in this pruning. I can’t do this alone. I need You. I’m so scared.”

“My child, you were never alone and you never will be. Until the day you see those fruits, remain in me.”

Inspired by John 15:1-11