Pruning

Life has not been normal since Christmas. We got
home on Tuesday. It was raining/snowing/flooding,
potholes on the major highway. Our chicken coop
had collapsed almost on the couple who were
getting the chickens out. Snow is piled everywhere;
plunging temperatures. All over town carports are
falling, roofs are leaking and in the areas beyond
our town, barns are collapsing. (We were coming
from sunny Arizona!)

Pruning comes in all kinds of packages!

Every Branch in me that does not bear fruit he
takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit 
he prunes that it may bear more fruit.  John 15:2

Reader, I love the fruit bearing part, but pruning?
However, it is so nice to know that we are not
pruned because we are sinning, but so that we will
bear fruit unto His glory. Here is another interesting
verse that compliments the verse above.

...he disciplines us for our good, that we may share
his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems
painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the
peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have
been trained by it.  Hebrews 12:10,11

It yields the fruit of righteousness--later--to those who
have accepted His training. Wow! Is this not a perfect
reason for surrendering to Him in all the facets of life?
Surrender, abiding, resting, in the vine.