We have an asa tree in the front garden - the sort with beautiful red leaves. Unfortunately this year there have not been so many leaves because some of the branches are not producing. Some branches are dead and getting in the way. So today was the day of asa tree pruning; secateurs, loppers and bow saw to cut away the branches not bearing fruit. If the tree could speak it would probably be saying: "Ouch!...Ooooo!..oh no!" Afterwards the tree looks different - slimmer, shapely, changed. Only the good branches remain. The tree, if it had feelings, would probably feel denuded, vulnerable, exposed.
Jesus in John's gospel uses the picture of God the Father as a gardener pruning the vine: "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit". How does God prune us? The removal of something in us we thought was precious or part of us even though it does no real good? Our partner pointing out a character flaw or fruitless branch? Or others pointing out areas in our lives that require treating or cutting off. Ouch...Ooooo...oh no!
Will the asa tree, in its denuded state, survive winters' harshness? I am already looking forward to springtime...
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