This top picture of my beautiful Butterfly bush was taken this summer.  I love how it draws the beautiful butterflies!   The colors and the beauty absolutely minister to my heart!  God often uses nature  to speak to me and touch deep places.

As this past summer progressed and all of the bushes grew, one particular bush thrived more than the others.  It was in the center of the flower bed and it grew the tallest. By the time fall approached, I noticed that the bush was leaning, but I didn’t do anything about it.

This morning I discovered that the wind had absolutely uprooted my entire beautiful bush!   I was shocked to see how shallow the root system looked and immediately the Holy Spirit began to speak to me.

In the summer this bush was thriving, drawing butterflies and supplying wonderful nectar and pollen.  The branches were reaching towards the sky with great splendor.   If I had been a good gardener, I would have taken care of a potential issue when I saw the weight of the bush pulling it over.   This morning I saw the devastation of my choices.

I tried putting fresh soil around the root system to bury the roots again, but the weight of the bush continued to pull it over.   There was no other choice — the bush had to be pruned!

Here are the lessons (or should I say confirmations) that the Holy Spirit showed me in this little incident.

1.  When potential issues are noticed.  DEAL WITH THEM IMMEDIATELY.
2.  DO NOT just cover up the “roots” — thinking it will correct the problem.
3.  A good, caring, loving gardener prunes what she/he loves.
4.  During traumatic or difficult times, we see how deep our roots really run.

The moment I pruned the bush, it immediately stood erect and the shorter branches reached towards the heavens.

John 15:1-2
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  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.

If the bush had a voice, I’m sure it would scream as the sharp blades tore and sliced through the flesh of the plant.   We do have a voice and we do scream when we are being pruned.  When God begins to expose some of our shallow roots and remove the branches that don’t produce fruit — it can be painful!

The whole time I was walking through this quick process I thought of the Loving Gardener who prunes us.  He knows what is best for us and He knows what will make us lean over.

Hebrews 12:5-6
And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son?  It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastens everyone He accepts as His son.”

Yes, the Loving Gardener prunes, corrects, uncovers, and exposes shallow roots so that we can sit erect with our arms raised towards heaven singing, “GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS, FATHER!”

Lessons learned in this season again …

1.  Deal with issues when you see them!
2.  Do not try to cover up issues thinking the problem will go away.
3.  Pruning and correcting is a LOVING ACT!  True honor is not ignoring an issue.
4.  Grow your roots DEEP into the Word of God.  Grow your roots DEEP through intimacy with the Father.

This bush is now back in rich soil, ready to produce a beautiful harvest of leaves and flowers again this spring and summer.  It will bring glory to God as it feeds the butterflies and provides shade for little creatures.

I pray if you’re in a season of pruning that you will feel God’s LOVE in it all.  He is protecting you and those around you.

BEAUTY IS COMING!