PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

May 14, 2025

THE NEED FOR PRUNING

On my way to visit my son and his family I saw on a church signboard the following sermon title: “Flowers need rain, as well as sunshine to flourish.”  My first thought was that the pastor’s gardening illustration wanted to make the point that for a fruitful life it is necessary for a little difficulty to be a part of the mix.

Most of Jesus’ ministry took place in the Galilee which was predominately rural.  Therefore, many of his illustrations find their origin in such a setting.  In the 15^th chapter of John Jesus tells his disciples, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower.  He removes every branch in me that hears no fruit.  Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit.” (John 15:1, 2)

In his retirement my father got interested in tomatoes.  One year he had seventy-two different varieties.  Some he gave to me to raise for him.  One of our ongoing debates was what to do with the suckers that would emerge from the plants.  I was all for letting them grow.  He said they needed to be pruned to get the best production.

One of the books I inherited from my father was one that was on pruning.  The first chapter supports my father’s position by giving the following nine reasons to prune;

1. To train into designed form.
2. To rejuvenate old plants.
3. To increase flowering and fruiting.
4. To decrease the amount of fruit.
5. To open up for better ripening.
6. To prevent future damage.
7. To keep to desired size.
8. To remove injury and disease.
9. To produce special forms.

One of the reasons that I do not go along with pruning tomato plants is that it involves more work!  While reasons one, three, five, and seven would seem to support my father’s position, I am perfectly willing to put up with sprawling tomato plants that might have a somewhat diminished production.

The need for pruning is but one example of the effort and planning it takes to have a productive vegetable or flower garden or trees and shrubs that perform to their best.  A wonderful outdoor home setting does not just happen.

Wonderful lives do not just happen.  They take work, discipline, and pruning.  Every time I convince myself to work out at LifePlex I am reminded of the constant need to prune off calories so that a few pounds hopefully might melt away.  Every evening I am challenged with the prospect of pruning back on my evening snacks so that these pounds might persist.

Pruning is a necessary part of a successful garden.  It is also a necessary part of a successful lifestyle.  Both take work, effort, and discipline.

(This article was originally published May 13, 2012.  Comments may be sent to davidh15503@embarqmail.com.)