Abide
As I have processed my current season of life. I have come to realize that a good Father disciplines his children.
As I have processed my current season of life. I have come to realize that a good Father disciplines his children. He doesn’t wait until they’re too far gone to begin a good work of re-direction and in my case, of repentance.
Repentance to me used to be a scary word, one that would cause me to cringe, and at times give me extreme anxiety.
It was not until I began to sit with not only the Father, but the vinedresser that I started to see the beauty of repentance. To see that to be pruned was a gift, to be disciplined by my Heavenly Father was an opportunity to grow more into the woman He has always seen me as, but more importantly to be more like Him.
The word says “Abide in me; and I will abide in you.” This tells me two things. First, the journey of repentance and pruning is not on my shoulders. Second, I am not responsible for making sure every confession is perfect, or every step is aligned.
I am only responsible for the honesty of my heart, and the return to His feet. It is in that, that not only do I find what I need, but I also hear where to turn, where to repent, and where to change.
A process of pruning usually is not easy. It often involves sitting with God in the confession of your own sins. No longer pointing the finger, or blaming your circumstances. Rather asking God to highlight where He is in them, and then sometimes the most difficult part. Giving thanks.
Thanking God for what He did do, and what He didn’t. Thanking God for the breath in your lungs and the changing of your circumstances. Thanking God for the very things that are still painful to the touch because He is the one who desires to heal them.
Bearing fruit is not just about the good works we are called to do on this earth. It is also about our character, and our heart posture.
Hebrews 12:5-11
New International Version
5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,
“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6
because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”[a]
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
photo taken in Chicago, IL spring 2025.