The storm came through with whipping winds, causing the trees to sway to great lengths from side to side. Amazingly, while they began to shed their leaves, very few branches came down.

It brought to mind a small flowering tree we had planted in our front bed quite a few years ago. Its violet colored flowers were small and delicate, short living but faithfully bloomed every summer.

On a particularly dry summer, we were unable to water it adequately due to the water ban. One morning, we discovered a branch had split from the trunk but was not completely severed.

In conversation with a landscaper, he explained due to the lack of sufficient rain, many were finding their trees splitting or even uprooting from the ground. He pointed out the dryness of the now exposed bark. Although the tree had continued to exhibit life, displaying its blooms as typical, on the inside it was drying out.

I asked the landscaper if it would be possible to tie up and wrap the branch so that perhaps it would graft. He pointed back to the exposed end of the branch and replied it was too dry for it to take. There was no longer life in the branch.

The landscaper removed the dead branch, trimming up the yet healthy branches so that they would continue to blossom in years to come.

“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He [God, the gardener] takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.” (John 15:2, NASB) 

Much the way the landscaper observed, cut, and pruned the tree that morning, the same process is at work in our lives. In order to thrive, there needs to be a life-giving connection to the trunk.

“What am I without it [God’s truth] save a dry tree, a useless branch, worthy to be cast away!”

 

(from the book, The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis, page 117)

Our lives, apart from Christ, are no better than a branch which has dried up and is broken off from the main branch. Connection to Jesus is vital in order to live, grow, and thrive. We must stay watered – hydrated by God’s Word- so His Life is flowing through every part of our being.

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser … I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit.” (John 15:1, 5, NASB)

He intends for our lives to be productive.
To bear fruit, much fruit.
But we must stay connected to Him.

Last week I shared about post, and so did our blogging friend, Lisa Blair. I loved that each of our posts were focused on hope. Lisa wrote, “Our hope isn’t based on what He has done, is doing, or will do, but on who He is.” And He is our faithful God. You, too, will be encouraged to read her post, Hope – 3 Simple Prayers to Guide Our Way.

Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.

 **Photo taken of our actual pruned tree.