I will start this letter by telling you that everyone is ok!!!! At the end of February, my dad was taken to the hospital and was kept and released after 3 days. Watching my parents walk through that and experiencing the love and support we received, the Lord has had me looking at the relationships in my life. This is a picture that hangs on my bedroom wall:
“I love you more” is something I always say to those close to me. Love is very important to me, not just being loved but showing love and kindness to everyone I meet. But God is reminding me that true love isn’t a one way street. There are people who are takers, they just take what you give but give very little back. Then there are people, like me, who give wholeheartedly, without expecting much in return. (Both people need some Jesus)
I am always preaching about self love, respect yourself, know your worth. Sometimes, at least for me, what you preach about most passionately, is one of your own greatest hurdles. When my dad was taken to the hospital, my dear sweet sister in Christ, Linda, dropped everything to come be with me. I know without a doubt that Linda would be there for me ANYTIME I needed her!! (Love you more Linda!) That is the type of relationship we all need to have around and someone we strive to be to others.
Then on the other side of the relationship spectrum, I have someone who I’ve known and loved with all my heart for many years, who doesn’t even text me. But I hang on hoping that one day things will change to fit my desires. The Lord is working on me, I’m very much a work in progress. John 15:2 NIV[2] He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”
I’m going through a pruning season right now and I’m learning that God will cut the branches that He sees need to be cut from your life, BUT I HAVE TO LET GO. If you prune the bad stuff off a plant but don’t remove the clippings, you are taking the chance of ruining the plant itself. If the clippings have a disease, leaving them in or around can cause diseases or pests to return to the plant later. Or if you “just keep them laying around” or “just to see what happens, maybe something will come of it””…the clippings could keep piling up and eventually smother the plant, blocking oxygen and water from reaching the soil, which can harm the ROOTS, the very foundation.
Letting go is hard and can be very painful but when the Lord is doing some pruning in your life, remember that He is the master gardener, shaping His masterpiece (you) into the most beautiful, clean cut, edged up version of you. The perfect shape and size to fit into His unique will for you!!!
Heavenly Father, I surrender my life, my relationships, my all to You God. Give me the wisdom and strength to let go of the things that I am holding on to that are a hindrance to my growth with You. You are the all seeing, all knowing, Alpha and Omega, Jesus, You are Lord over my whole life. I trust in Your goodness, it never fails, and I lay my life at Your feet! Have Your way Jesus! AMEN ♥️
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