Pruning butterflies

I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener.
John 15:1 (NIV)

What a difference 18 months makes. Since moving into our house in central Pennsylvania a number of shrubs have experienced significant growth. As a result, and in preparation for the winter months, my husband and I considered the various landscaping needs around our property.

We took into account the Red Maple in the corner of the backyard. The recent dry, hot summer certainly took a toll on the huge tree. Of particular interest to me, however, was the Butterfly Bush located on the north side of our home. Little more then a year ago it was all but a stick-like stump. Over the months, however, it had grown into a rather gangly, unruly plant.

As a side note, for those readers familiar with my gardening prowess, or lack thereof, I must mention that I do have a bit of experience with the Butterfly Bush. The prior owner of our house in Missouri had planted a hedge of Buddleias along the property line. Consequently, I came to appreciate the beauty of the robust plant. The hardy shrubbery's arching stems had an almost hypnotic effect as they swayed in the wind. What a treat it was watching a cloud of butterflies, attracted by the plant's nectar-rich flowers, move from bush to bush.

My husband and I are by no means expert gardeners. We do know, however, that pruning will enhance the appearance of our shrubs and trees as well as fix any damaged areas; not to mention, keep the plants from growing out of control. Consequently, we made plans for the care of each plant: corrective pruning on the Redbud and Ornamental Pear trees, shearing of the Euonymous, Barberries and Spirea, and hand reduction of the Forsythia, Viburnum, Pyracantha and Butterfly Bush.

Interestingly, I learned that the Butterfly Bush has a tendency to give gardeners fits when it comes to pruning. Sharp loppers are needed to chop back the tough "weeping" side branches to just a cluster of main stems in the center of the bush. The center stems are left as tall as possible without having the tops droop down. This usually means some of the top growth is cut back, in addition to the more "beefy" side stems. I was cautioned that the end result could be a plant that resembles a plucked chicken. Nevertheless, my encouragement came from being told that these amazing beauties respond well to pruning and by next spring I could expect new growth and a display of colorful blooms.

"I am the vine," Jesus said. "You are the branches." (John 15) He said His Father, the Master Gardener, prunes His children. He cuts away whatever it is that hampers our individual growth in order that we may experience the richest, most fruitful of lives. Hardships certainly may be painful. But, what we see as tragedies may only be blessings in disguise and the very opportunities through which God chooses to reveal His love and grace.

Dear friend, are you being pruned today? Have your dreams been dashed? Has the dearest in life been torn from you? You can trust Him to do what is best in every situation. God will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11).

Blessings, dear friend
Faithfully Following

Photo: Mountain Valley Growers

Stand up for your rights

But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.
Galatians 4:4-5 (NIV)

The young girl clutched a yellow #2 pencil in her petite right hand with a firm grip. Each of her small, rapid strokes reverberated as she drove the writing utensil across the coarse paper, solving a seemingly endless list of math problems. The harsh, scratching sound of her laborious task, in the otherwise quiet kitchen setting, served only to increase the child's irritation.

My daughter has a beautiful passion for life. She expresses joy with fervent delight; frustration with equaled intensity. She loves school in general, and she adored her third grade elementary teacher in specific. This particular afternoon, however, she sat at the kitchen table muttering continuously under her breath. An inexplicable agitation mounted as she completed each calculation of the mathematics homework that Mrs. Rathbun assigned.

Finally, with a grit resembling the likes of cartoon character Popeye the Sailor, she had all she could stands, she could stands no more! She stood up in protest and placed the worn-tipped pencil on the table's hardwood surface with a definitive "slam." Her white-knuckled fingers grasped her tiny hips as she declared with an attitude of entitlement, "Kids have rights, too, you know! And, I'm standing up for kids' rights!"

The birth of Christ was one of the most significant events in history. At just the right time, God the Father sent His Son to purchase our freedom. The apostle Paul says that through God's divine love and mercy toward us, God takes into His family all who believe in Christ Jesus. He recognizes each one as His adopted child, an heir with full rights.

What great and invaluable rights do we enjoy through Christ?

As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, we have the remarkable privilege of demonstrating compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Through the Holy Spirit, we have the amazing power to bear with each other, forgiving whatever grievances we have against one another. We can forgive as the Lord forgave us.

We can cover all these virtues with a distinctive love that binds them all together in perfect unity. In all our relationships, Christ can rule in our hearts; and we can live with an attitude of peace only He can give.

We have the unending right to give thanks.

We experience the marvelous advantage of Christ's Word dwelling richly within us. With wisdom, as we sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in our hearts to God, we can teach and admonish one another.

Whatever we do in obedience to God, whether in our words or in our actions, we have the incredible privilege to do it all in the name of our Lord Jesus. (Colossians 3:12-17)

In A Simple Christmas: Twelve Stories that Celebrate the True Holiday Spirit, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee describes Christmas as "God doing the unexpected for the undeserving." We are undeserving. Yet, the God of the universe came to earth as a baby and was later put to death in order to redeem the lives of broken, sinful people like me and like you. Through Christ Jesus, we receive full rights as heirs of our Heavenly Father.

I never uncovered the source of my daughter's frustration that surrounded her third grade math assignment. I'll admit I got a chuckle out of her fiery display (well, it was really a good belly laugh). I also came to wholeheartedly embrace her passion.

Kids have rights! As God's child, I'm standing up for them. How about you, friend? Will you stand up and exercise your rights?

Blessings, dear friend.
Faithfully Following

It's all in the position

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:6-7

“Overwhelmed, stressed out, and on my knees looking up,” tumbled out of my mouth before I even gave much thought to my co-worker’s question as to how things were going.

Our sixth move was particularly hard for me. Physically separated from my husband for nine months as he began a new job, I wrestled with disappointment at leaving our son behind to finish his senior year in college. Between making plans for our daughter’s high school graduation and visiting various college campuses, I juggled the sale of a house in one state while attempting to negotiate at a distance the purchase of another in our new location. I loved my full-time job. Although it was very demanding, I knew I would soon be leaving it; and I worked hard at not adopting a short-timer’s mentality. Thoughts of giving up a wonderful church family were also weighing on my heart.

If this wasn’t enough, my daddy was struggling with Alzheimer’s disease at the time, and self-imposed guilt about not living closer to my family to help care for him did not help. Why in the world I chose to begin a weight-loss program at this point in my life is beyond me!

Are you familiar with Lladro from Spain figurines? If so, I’m sure you recognize the beauty of these pieces crafted from the finest quality examples of art in porcelain. Artists start a new idea or theme of a figurine and draftsmen and sculptors use their talents making each design come to life.

Through a careful expression of style and use of soft, bluish tones, individually-designed pieces portray messages appreciated by people from all walks of life. Where a Santa Claus figurine stands ready for delivery with list in one hand and bag of goodies in the other, the relaxing pose of a little girl dressed in a mouse costume gives Restful Mouse an appearance of peace and tranquility. Nina Communion is one of my favorite figurines. Kneeling, deep in prayer, with a serene facial expression, the image comes alive modeling a tender, reverent heart.

In the short New Testament book of 1 Peter, the Apostle Peter has a lot to say about Christian life and duties. Peter speaks of suffering, pilgrimage, courage, and hope; and he says he has written “encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God” (1 Peter 5:12). The Apostle urges us in 1 Peter 5:7 to cast all our anxieties on God because He cares for us. In the verse prior, he also tells us the position we should assume and why. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand,” Peter writes. Why? That in due time, He may lift us up.

Are stresses in your life swallowing up your energy? Are you feeling pressured by everything that's happening around you?

God’s grace is abundant (John 1:16; 2 Corinthians 12:8-10). Humility and humbleness of heart before Him are sure routes to His blessings (Proverbs 3:34). May we have calloused knees and the tips of our shoes worn as we come before Him overwhelmed, stressed out, and on our knees looking up.

Blessings, my friend.

Faithfully Following