Growing Up

Tuesday, September 20, 2011 Posted by Sara

He walked me back to the bench, and poured me a glass of water from the pitcher on the glass table beside us.

“Drink some water,” He offered as I took the glass from his hand. “Have a seat, and rest.”

He looked me straight in the eye, with a gentle smile suggesting all was well. I sat down. He returned to the line of bare rose bushes and eyed the branches.

Snap. Snap. Snap.

I cringed. With swift and precise force he cut branches that looked dry, shriveled, or black – or ones that were simply too thin and weak. In some places He cut the branches back nearly to the ground.

Once finished with the row, He joined me on the bench for a glass of water. He sighed, “Much better, don’t you think?”

My brow furled. “Looks naked, thorny, and dull,” I admitted.

He grinned. “On the contrary, these roses have never been in better shape. They are strong, clean, and ready to burst forth in abundant beauty. See how the center of the plants are open to light and air now?”

I nodded, not entirely amused. “But Papa, now we must wait for everything to grow back!”

“Not back. They must grow up.” He spoke resolutely, “They are taking new ground. All they need now is a little water.” He took His glass and clinked my own, then raised his eyebrow, “or hadn’t you figured that one out yet?”

“…whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” – John 4:14