See the white lilacs on the left there?
Those are the only lilacs I have found blooming. No purples or lavenders or pinks. Only one little white lilac bush bloomed!
I still plan on walking beside all the bushes just in case I missed some, but I don't think I did.
This is all we got.
And really, it's our fault. We are the ones living on this place, and it comes down to us to care for these bushes. Most of them are pretty old I am guessing -- decades -- and their age is showing.
If bushes have feelings I kind of think they all are frustrated because they aren't putting out all that pretty color they usually put out. And so they aren't attracting any bees which bums me out. Yet, lesson learned! I will get to it. Hopefully by the end of the summer each bush will have a good pruning.
And this is exactly like us too. God knows we need to be pruned in order to develop spiritual fruit in our lives. That's why he prunes us. We can go only so long before it is necessary. Jesus tells us in John 15:2 that "every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit." He is the Father.
Almanac.com tells us that "Pruning is the measured removal of parts (such as branches, stems, and flowers) from plants. It isn’t done just for shape and style, though. Pruning helps to manage the growth and structure of shrubs and trees, removes dead or diseased stems and branches, and encourages the development of flowers, fruit, and new foliage. Especially when to comes to woody plants like trees and shrubs, pruning is a great way to keep them growing in a healthy fashion."
Same goes for us. Pruning from God helps us continue to grow in a healthy fashion.
If shrubs could feel and tell us about it, they'd tell us it hurts to have branches cut off. So too, when we are pruned, it isn't going to feel nice. But the results of that said pruning will be a healthy, abundant life.
Willingly go under God's pruning shears. He does it out of love. And he knows what will make your life and heart sing. That's what he wants for you, for all of us.