As a recent transplant to the South, I am enjoying the many new types of foliage. After four years, I am still amazed to see flowers bloom on bushes in early January.
One very popular southern tree is the Crepe Myrtle. It caught my attention because of the way it is pruned. In the winter, you can see rows and rows of trees that have been cut back severely, with only the largest branches remaining. This annual pruning maintains the health and appearance of the tree.
I think it is the same for our lives. In our efforts to be well-rounded and multi-faceted, we often develop branches that are unproductive. Unfortunately, we don't prune them and they end up sapping our strength.
I want to encourage you to take a look at the branches in your life and then answer the following questions:
- Which branches are dead or dying?
- How much time and energy does it take to maintain those branches?
- What will it take to prune them?
- What are the consequences of not pruning them?
- Which branches are alive and fruitful?
- How can you focus more time and attention on them?
- How much more fruitful could they be if you removed the dead branches?
We all have a limited amount of time, energy and resources. Seasonal pruning allows us to avoid wasting those precious resources and, instead, focus on the areas with the most potential.
Recent Comments