Fall is my favorite time of year. The temperature cools down (eventually), and we get to enjoy all the fall colors in the trees. Fall also comes with chores, but I don’t mind. Specifically pruning back flowers and plants that were so beautiful in the summer. Their leaves are wilting or brown, and they are leggy or misshapen. Now is when we get to prune off what is past its prime and get the plants set up for beauty next year. I like evaluating which rose canes are strong and sturdy and which ones need to be cut off for the overall health of the rose. I like cutting back the Hosta leaves that are scraggly to make room for new growth in the spring.

Our new house has a LOT of landscaping and perennials, which was a huge selling point for me. The plantings are probably my favorite thing about this house, but it will take time to prepare the beds for winter. And things may look a little bare for a while until they come back out in the spring. But I hope they are even better than before. If I prune the plants correctly, that is the expectation.

Jesus identified God the Father as a “vinedresser” or gardener who prunes branches to make them more fruitful: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit." (John 15:1-2 ESV)

This process of pruning should take place in our lives too. What habits and traditions are we hanging onto that no longer serve God’s purpose? What do we need to release to make room for new growth? What are you willing to do to grow and bear more fruit?

Dear God, please make us aware of our branches that need pruning. Please prune away anything that is standing in the way of our becoming more like You and growing Your Kingdom. Amen.

By Jennifer Preston

Jennifer and her husband David live in Georgetown and attend the Georgetown IBC campus – but at the moment are currently enjoying the beauty of Hawaii!