As I watered the hanging plants, I couldn’t help but notice some of the hardy perennial flowers were hugging the ground. The recent hard rains had beaten the stems into the earth. The once pretty flowers were nothing more than petals scattered around the flower garden and those flowers that survived the rain pellets were no longer cut-flower, vase quality stems.

With clippers in hand, I began to cut-back all the plants that had been crushed and beaten during the storm. It was heartbreaking to see the affected plants reduced to stubble; but it was necessary for new growth.

The fallen and broken stems would eventually extract the life out of the new buds that longed to bring restoration and growth.

Mankind is no different than our garden plants. When we become broken by the storms of life and find ourselves kissing the dirt beneath us, we look up to find the Master Gardener standing over us with pruning shears. He cuts back the dead weight and prepares us for new growth so we can once again be cut-flower, vase quality stems.

This morning, I walked outside to survey the outcome of the plants I had pruned a few weeks ago. Sure enough, healthy new growth had pushed through the earth anxious to unfold new blooms.

Nature truly represents the heart of our Heavenly Father. With pruning shears in hand he snips, cuts and resurrects our brokenness. He will dig up and transplant our roots in more fertile soil if we fail to show new growth. Like a true Master Gardener, God never gives up on us.

There are plants and shrubs in my flower garden I have moved every year to find the perfect location to promote growth. God has done the same with me. He continues to transplant my spiritual roots until he finds the perfect place for me to grow.

If your life is currently kissing dirt, maybe it’s time for God to use His pruning shears and bring you back to life.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15: 1-2