This week, as I heard of several dear friends going through tough times, God brought to mind a conversation with one of my doctors.

“Do you know when a vine is closest to the gardener? When the gardener is actively working on the plant and pruning it. ”

It was around 26 years ago that a doctor said this to me. I was once again going through the fire of health issues. He was a godly man who wasn’t afraid to encourage me. He referred me to this passage in John 15 which has been a blessing to me in a new way ever since, especially going through trials.

The Relationship of Believers to Christ
“15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. 9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”” The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Jn 15:1–11.