Monday, March 18, 2019

A Season of Growing


Several things lately have brought this idea of growth to mind but in very different ways. Visiting the greenhouse at the Silos was beautiful and inspiring as was taking a slow walk through the tidy gardens.

This kind of gardening is very appealing and yet something I struggle to achieve - we casually talked about gardening while walking through it and I admitted that I'm most successful at growing weeds!

As many have done before us, considering the beautiful metaphor of gardening and how it relates to our hearts may be even more beneficial for me.

To realize that there is a season of dormancy, quiet work of developing the roots, hidden work of growing and forming and being formed. The actual fruit doesn't come until months sometimes even years later.


Another book I'm reading mentioned the benefits of pruning and how what seems painful can end up multiplying the beauty and benefits of the branches. Also, with Spring making appearances near us and trees starting to bud, leaf and bloom - it has been a visual reminder of new life and new growth.

This growth speaks of hope. It shows that there is still something living in those seemingly dead-looking branches. Life still flows through the veins and is emerging for another season of shade, beauty and provision.


Tender and delicate buds of daffodils are sleepily raising their heads from the earth that is beginning to warm in the sun and be watered by the rains that fall frequently this time of year. The fresh green that is new and light emerges from sticks of brown in tiny leaves beginning their season of outward growth. This is an important distinction as we remember that there is always work going on in the life of a plant - whether we see it on the outside or not.

God gives us seasons as well in the heart - seasons of quiet, inner, hidden work. Seasons of pruning. Seasons of outer growth and blooming. Seasons of rest. Seasons of harvest and fruitfulness.


I want the heavenly gardener to dig in the soil of my heart and cultivate these various seasons there. To have His way in the garden of my heart.


John 15:1-8

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.



2 comments:

Mom said...

Seasons of pruning, growth, rest, and harvest - so true! Love this post on gardening and growth. :)

mysweetbunch said...

I love this post on growth and pruning it spoke to me. Thank you Monica: )