Pruning again….Really?

clmsoprano7
Jun 30
2 min read

As I was yard working the front side and working the pole saw my Dad loaned me, I suddenly got a bead on something. It was hot, it was difficult, and some branches of this wildly overgrown shrub on the side of our house were as tough as nickel steak to saw through.

I tend to be a go getter and want it done when I want it done. But today, I opted to listen to the Lord while He spoke to me in the process.

I wasn’t just pruning this shrub. I was learning how to truly prune myself.

Sometimes we “overgrow.” Periods of prolific creativity and activity are so great. But I tend to say yes a bit too often and get loaded down like a freelance mule!

I was sawing through each of the branches and having to stop and start again to give my body and the saw a break. We both needed cool down! That washes doesn’t it? (For non Texans that means- “that tracks”)

Saying no, releasing yourself from too many responsibilities is a requirement for actual growth. No matter how many people you want to help and not let down, it needs to happen.

Some branches were way harder than others. Some were thin and small instantly fell. I wrangled those hedges until there wasn’t room in the ground for more branches.

Not one of those branches I whacked fell without me seeing and appreciating it as it fell. And that is how it is when saying no.

Of course I care when I have say no. Of course the fixer in me wants to help them sort it all out. But really, once that branch is gone, I can’t keep watering it. At some point , I have to decide what I want to be responsible for.