Here in sunny Florida, we had a hard freeze recently. Temperatures dropped below freezing for 8 to 9 hours on three consecutive mornings. This kind of polar plunge is uncommon for our home on the Space Coast. Though the weeds in our yard are still standing mighty and green, a wide variety of trees, vegetation, and grass got hit hard. Things once thriving and pretty now stand dark brown and crispy. Toasted are our hibiscus, snow on the mountains, hummingbird bushes, and banana trees. I can’t wait to take an inventory of what can be salvaged and trim away dead leaves and branches to make way for spring’s arrival. Pruning back what’s not healthy will help them grow and flourish into something vibrant.
Over time, our hearts and minds get brown and crispy from the hurts we receive from others and from things we may unknowingly bring on ourselves. Just as plants damaged by frost and freezing temperatures need pruning, so do we occasionally. Let God tenderly prune you. Ask Him to reveal anything in your heart and mind that keeps you from enjoying His best for you. Let Him gently trim away anything you need to let go of and watch your faith grow like vibrantly colored spring flowers.
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)
Julia K. Hallum 