One story, one soul…for God and his kingdom

Cindy was watering the flower bed when a car pulled up their driveway.

Their friend Anthony came out from his car.

“Hi Cindy!” 

“Hello Anthony, how are you doing?” Cindy greets him

“I’m good! Your flowers keep getting better.” Anthony remarked 

“Oh thank you! I added a couple more varieties. I will get started on my garden soon.” Cindy replied him

“Very nice.” he said peering towards the front door

“Connor is at the back” Cindy told him

“Ah,  thank you” Anthony replied and rounded the house

“Over here buddy!” Connor called out to him as he stood looking about the backyard.

“Whoa! There you are! I couldn’t tell you were there! You are almost tangled up in the vines! What are you doing?” Anthony asked him

“Pruning the grapes. It’s about time.” Connor replied

“Interesting.” Anthony said walking over to the grape vine 

“I’m almost done. Just a few more snips.” 

“Isn’t that a rather healthy branch you just cut?” Anthony asked curiously 

“It looks healthy alright but it has to go, it wouldn’t be helpful or needed in a couple of months.” Connor answered.

“Hmm.. why do you have to prune anyways?” Anthony asked

“Well, a few reasons” Connor replied as he bent to pick up cut branches. “For one, it keeps the plant in shape.” He looks at the grape vine and continues, “Better fruit quality. And not only better fruit quality, but more fruits.”

“So let me see if I get you, you prune the grape to increase the quality and quantity of your investment while maintaining optimal strength and outlook.” Anthony replied

Connor stared at him for a minute and laughed, “Speaking as a true economist! You’re catching on!”

…Sometimes in life, it feels like we are being pruned, painful experiences, loss of relationships and things we’d rather hold on..and we may hear the voice of the slithery one might whisper in your ears “Where is your God?” “God doesn’t love you. If he did, he wouldn’t let you go through all these.”

Where is your God?

—-Right there up close up as he prunes you.

-God doesn’t love you?

—-God prunes you because he loves you, to make you better, stronger, more fruitful and more of a blessing to others.

Take courage.