The Painful Pruning

 

This is not a cry for help.  Or even a cry for encouragement.  This is just me being real.  Just maybe someone else can identify with this, and I can bring encouragement.

I am weak.  I am broken.  I am incapable.  I don't have what it takes. I have no idea what the future holds.  No real direction.  And Satan tries to tell me that I don't matter and I have nothing to offer.

Parenting is hard.  Single parenting is probably harder.  We as humans are messed up.  Life is hard.

BUT...

 I am NOT without Hope.  

When I am weak, He is strong.
God's Word says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.  Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

God heals broken things.
God's Word says, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
He loves and uses broken people.  God's Word is filled with example after example of broken people that He used for His glory.

I am incapable, but with God all things are possible.
God's Word says, "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.  To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever."

No real direction?  Completely clueless about the future?
God's Word reminds me, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  Don't lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths."

I KNOW that I am in a pruning process.  And it's painful.  It's humbling.  By human standards, I'm a pretty strong, confident, capable person.  But God is teaching me that I'm really not.  Apart from His power, I am desperately weak.  I need Him every hour.  And that's exactly where He wants me.  So although it's painful and extremely humbling, I choose to trust in His process, knowing that He is showing me truth, drawing me to Himself, and making me more like Him.