A Lesson from the Garden

By Mardie Caldwell, C.O.A.P.

gardenGardeners know how they must clear away dead flowers, buds and weeds to make way for new growth and to avoid a garden becoming overgrown to a point where nothing grows well.

Today in my rose garden, while pinching back the dead rose buds and pansy heads that had long finished blooming, I thought of how our lives and the quality of our lives depends on removing the dead things in our own lives. Useless areas that can prevent us from experiencing the wonderful new buds and beautiful flowers that we could enjoy if we spent the time removing the old.

Many times, it is fear that holds us back, or sitting quietly for 15 minutes to think of what in our lives is really preventing us from receiving new fragrant blooms and healthy growth. By spending a few minutes today, looking around your home and into your own self, it may be clear what dead buds are in your life. When we neglect removing things that are already dead, without joy or fragrance and long past their usefulness in our lives, homes, and relationships, we miss the growth of new and exciting blooms we can enjoy and that can bring us peace, joy and happiness.

What is dead in your life? What are you holding on to that is preventing you from experiencing the joy of something God has to give you?

Today take a few moments to think and pray about the areas you have neglected or ignored that could use some clearing away to make room for new growth and blossoms in your life.

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[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:1-3

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