Soaking

Wednesday, September 21, 2011 Posted by Sara

My object lesson on pruning was about to take a peculiar turn. I understood thus far how the Gardener pruned the flowers to make room for more flowers and cut back the branches to make the bushes stronger allowing light into the center of the plants. I could see how Him pruning me was accomplishing the same feat – strengthening me to bear more fruit, and releasing light in the hidden places of my heart and mind. But when Papa handed me a water balloon, I was confused.

His eyes twinkled. I saw Him rise from the bench and walk behind a thick wall of bushes. I heard something drag along the garden path. He emerged pulling a big plastic tub along the ground. It was full of water balloons. He placed it with intent at one end of the row of bare bushes. Then he returned behind the bush and emerged again with a second tub full of water balloons. He pulled this one to the opposite end of the row of bushes.

“Which tub do you want?” He asked pointing to the two at either end of the pruned bushes.

I shrugged my shoulders and approached the one nearest me.

“On the count of three,” he instructed, “soak something!”

I had barely repeated His directions to myself when He reached the number three and I felt the gush of the first balloon popping on my knee. He got me.

“…to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.” Ephesians 5:26 (NLT)

In a moment I grabbed a balloon and took aim. He almost looked shocked when the first balloon clipped his shoulder.

Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, 'Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'" John 7:38 (NLT)

Within five minutes, the battleground lay bare. Strips of balloon could be seen dangling on the barren rose bushes like ornaments, and they along with Papa and me – were soaked.

“Well played,” Papa encouraged. He pointed to the bush nearest to me.

I blinked, wondering if what I saw was true. A single flower bud appeared on the pruned branch.

“The water I pour out to you, and the water you pour out to me has abilities beyond your imagination. Be with Me, talk to Me, play with Me – and see how your garden grows.”