Madonna of the Rose Bush

Today was hot and humid.  My task was to prune the dead blooms from our rose bushes.  As I moved from one bush to another, my mind drifted to “he prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:2).  As I pruned the dead blooms from the bushes, so that they would bloom again in beautiful splendor, I though of how Christ prunes me so that I may bloom through His grace.

Why do I run from His pruning shears?  Him prunes in love.  He prunes me so that I may show forth His glory and bare fruit in His name.