He Prunes

"Every branch that does bear fruit he 
prunes so that it will be even more 
fruitful. (John 15:2)

It is the branch that bears the fruit,
     That feels the knife,
To prune it for a larger growth
     A fuller life.

Though every budding twig be trimmed,
     And every grace
Of swaying tendril, springing leaf,
     May lose its place.

O you whose life of joy seems left,
     Of beauty shorn;
Whose aspirations lie in dust,
     Each hope of thine
Will fall and fade; it is the hand
     Of love Divine.

That holds the knife, that cuts and breaks
     With tenderest touch,
That you, whose life has borne some fruit,
     May now bear much.
(Annie Johnson Flint)

Reader, I hardly know anyone who is not
under the knife. I love the line, "With
tenderest touch." Our hope must be in a
God who is working in our lives--for
good!