And every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." (John
A child of God was dazed by the variety of afflictions which seemed to make her their target. Walking past a vineyard in the rich autumnal glow she noticed the untrimmed appearance and the luxuriant wealth of leaves on the vines, that the ground was given over to a tangle of weeds and grass, and that the whole place looked utterly uncared for; and as she pondered, the Heavenly Gardener whispered so precious a message that she would fain pass it on
My dear child, are you wondering at the sequence of trials in your life? Behold that vineyard and learn of it. The gardener ceases to prune, to trim, to harrow, or to pluck the ripe fruit only when he expects nothing more from the vine during that season. It is left to itself, because the season of fruit is past and further effort for the present would yield no profit. Comparative uselessness is the condition of freedom from suffering. Do you then wish me to cease pruning your life? Shall I leave you alone?" And the comforted heart cried, "No!"━Homera Homer-Dixon
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 lopped
And every grace
Of swaying tendril, springing leaf
Be lost a space.
O thou whose life of joy seems reft
Of beauty shorn
Whose aspirations lie in dust
All bruised and torn
Rejoice, tho' each desire, each dream
Each hope of thine
Shall fall and fade; it is the hand
Of Love Divine
That holds the knife, that cuts and breaks
With tenderest touch
That thou, whose life has borne some fruit
May'st now bear much.
Annie Johnson Flint