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Wednesday, October 24, 2012

New Growth


About six weeks ago many of the plants in my yard and containers were all looking pretty dismal, they had stems that were lanky and bare, foliage that was brown and crispy and no flowers.  I decided to prune them, figured I had nothing to lose, they already looked pretty dead.  I was quite aggressive with my pruning, by the time I was done, some plants only had a little bits of green showing and roots, I was sure I had killed a couple of them, but like I said they had already looked dead before I started. All I could do now was to wait and see what would happen.

The results have been encouraging The Clementius which I had cut down to the ground is blooming  again, with new vigor...I knew it would come back next spring but was surprised it came back this fall


                                           The geraniums, sending out new blooms


                            These petunias had just little green stems showing after I pruned them


                                                                   More blooms

These plants had to be pruned to get new growth, the old dead stuff had to be cut away for the flowers to return. I thought about what God, the master gardener does in our own lives, pruning the dead stuff away so new growth can occur. I think we are all in some phase of the pruning process. Sometimes we are being pruned, sometimes we are in the recovery growth phase, sometimes in the blooming stage. Gardeners know this is a continuous cycle, the garden always changing always needing some pruning Where in the pruning process are you?

I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,  he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful  John 1:1-2


8 comments:

Debbie said...

Some wonderful analogy here as always! I think I am in the pruning season over here right now...sigh. lol Hope you had a good day!

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

What a wonderful reminder that God is our master gardener, pruning, fertilizing, and watering us so we will grow and flourish.

podso said...

I'm so glad you commented on my blog so I could find yours. We share many things in common, including the favorite hymn of your blog title. I too have Grandma days and just loved to read about yours! You seem to have taken the loss of your job in stride. It was sudden for you; for me I had made the decision three months ago. I too am working on a project list, and trying to find how this new life will work. It will fall into place, I have no doubt.

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Yes...and I feel the pruning right now, but I am believing for the new growth.

NanaNor's said...

Just been talking about these verses at bible study this morning; the pruning is never easy or fun but certainly needed. Sending hugs your way today.
Noreen

Anonymous said...

Hi Maryann - great analogy. My hubby recently bought me a fancy camera and I am looking at all the plants and flowers in my garden with new eyes. Makes me think of how the Father looks at us, never jaded, always loved. Great post, great pics, God bless
Tracy

myletterstoemily said...

that is such a powerful word picture
for us! i have endured some
pruning and look forward to the
blooming! :)

Petra said...

Beautiful analogy! I have to admit that I know know nothing about growing flowers and wish I did, and take this as a little lesson. Are all of these perennials that come back in the spring after being pruned in the fall?
Blessings!