Pruning

           Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees;
           every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit
           is cut down and thrown into the fire.
                           —Luke 3.9

Abandon your cruel cartoons.
God is not coming at you with an ax.

What's unfruitful in your life?
What gets in the way?
God (hallelujah!) removes it.

What do you do again & again
that doesn't help,
doesn't deepen life?
God (thank you Jesus!) gives you
permission to cut it out.

God is not a punitive bully
looking for firewood.
God is a gentle gardener,
looking for sweet fruit.

Let her lop off the dead branches,
uproot the nasty weeds,
clear the brush,
clean up the garden for you.

Sit by the fire.
Enjoy the warmth of your freedom.

Steve Garnass-Holmes, unfoldinglight.net December 6, 2021