The Pruning Time

Discussion at our weekly women's Bible Study reminded me of something I wrote several years ago.  I decided it might be worthwhile to share it here.

the pruning time

there are times

when i feel

i have to work so hard

and grow so much more

than others

just to be me

i am tempted to rebell

and say it's unfair

and then i remember

You are working

towards perfection

with me

You are working

    not for the moment

    or for the day

  but for eternity

this is

one of those times

there are also times

when i feel i have grown

  so much

and You make me realize

if i am going

to look back to

where i've come from

i must also look forward to

where i am going

and who i am called to be

i get so discouraged

because it looks so far away

so impossible

out of my reach

then You remind me

that the only reason

i've come so far

is also the only reason

i can go on....You

this is

one of those times

i've made

a commitment to grow

and You are showing me

that for healthy growth

there's a need for pruning

it's necessary

to cut back

the places where

scars have formed over wounds

in order for a full blossoming to come

i know You would

have me fall short in nothing

through You

and i thank You

for this time of pruning

@1978  kathy jo schramm