Today I was cutting back my grapes. I had branches running up the side of my house and extending all over the walls. I couldn’t believe they had thrived so much after being cut back so severely earlier in the year. It was only a couple branches that I had to redirect, but I knew next year I would have fruit like crazy and it would all be perfectly centered all over my grape arbor, where it had been a problem before.
I only cut one growing clump of grapes. Other than that, I really didn’t even hurt the growing plant. Next year it would thrive. I couldn’t help but see the analogy in how much God has been doing something similar with me.
These last two years or so have been pretty hard. It’s felt like I’ve been cut back hard – too hard. How was a stay-at-home mother of 7 children all of the sudden expected to be able to provide and support her family, take care of her children, the house and everything else on a minuscule allowance that was making it impossible to be home with her children? It didn’t seem possible.
I still don’t know how everything will work out, but I know that God has been redirecting branches, making room for fruit, and figuring out ways I can thrive. He really hasn’t cut off too many pieces of growing fruit. It’s all still there for growing when I finally have some time and a place. I’m looking forward to that day and time.
Divorce isn’t easy. Being a single parent is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I have empathy now that I never could have understood before. I’m grateful for the learning that has come because of this. Hopefully, even though I’ll probably have to move soon, I’ll be able to enjoy the fruit that comes later on from efforts and labors. Have you ever been cut back, but then were able to thrive? I’d love to hear your story.