Saturday, April 11, 2009

Pruning

"Pruning means cutting, reshaping, removing what diminishes vitality. When we look at a pruned vineyard, we can hardly believe it will bear fruit. But when the harvest comes, we realize that the pruning allowed the vines to concentrate their energy and produce more grapes. Grateful people learn to celebrate even amid life's hard and harrowing memories because they know that pruning is no mere punishment, but preparation.




When our gratitude for the past is only partial, our hope for the future can likewise never be full. But our submitting to God's pruning work will not ultimately leave us sad, but hopeful for what can happen in us and through us. Harvesttime will bring its own blessings...pg19"



~From Henri Nouwen's Turn My Mourning into Dancing

2 comments:

Slightly crooked halo =) said...

Beautiful =) Missed you guys

Anonymous said...

Tell Jason we hope he gets better soon. Being at work and sick is stinky!! Miss you all, but glad you had fun with the family.
Jennifer