Pruning & Blessing

"My Father is the Gardener." - John 15:1

It is a comforting thought that trouble, in whatever form it comes to us, is a heavenly messenger that brings us something from God. Outwardly it may appear painful or even destructive, but inwardly its spiritual work produces blessings. Many of the richest blessings we have inherited are the fruit of sorrow or pain. We should never forget that redemption, the world's greatest blessing, is the fruit of the world's greatest sorrow. And whenever a time of deep pruning comes and the knife cuts deeply and the pain is severe, what an inexpressible comfort it is to know: "My Father is the Gardener." - Sept. 9, Streams In The Desert, L.B. Cowman

There have been occasions in my life when this line of thought has been proven out to be so true. The only edit I would make as a writer is that in saying that "outwardly" things might "seem" painful, I'd add that "inwardly" things "are" painful, and the hurts are not "seemingly deep" but are to the marrow gashes that still, in the Gardeners expert ways, bring needed grace and blessing. The idea that there can be no healing without first hurting is nuts - but true. Doesn't make the hurt go away, but at least the promise of new growth and hope of reconciliation and restoration gives us something to hold on to, to hold out for.

I hope this man, this family sees this somehow, soon. Praying for their grief to be real, for his heart to be comforted, and for deep joy, not something to take away the pain but something that mingles with the hurt, would well up from within.