I love roses!  I truly enjoy slowly strolling through a garden and smelling the roses.  I even tried my hand at planting and tending my own rose garden a few years back.  Honestly, that was hard work!  Being a novice, I had to do plenty of research on the subject.  Thankfully, we had an expert rosarian in our church.  His name was Ted, and I frequently went to Ted for advice.  Even after all these years, I still remember that for our area Ted recommended cutting back rose bushes on March 15th.  Now I must admit, I hated to prune my roses.  I thought I was hurting them.  But if Ted advised it, then I knew I had to do it.  You see, pruning can be physically and even emotionally difficult, but it's worth it.  There's nothing like the sight and smell of a well-kept rose garden in full bloom!

Similarly, on today's Footsteps, TWR President Lauren Libby talks about the need for pruning in our spiritual lives.  Lauren even points out that pruning is hard but worth it.  Sound familiar?  As you listen to today's program, keep the following two verses in mind.  You'll find them at the beginning of Jesus' parable of The Sower. 

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.  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." (John 15:1-2, NKJV)

If you want to mature as a Christian, well, it's going to take some pruning!

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(Photo of TWR President Lauren Libby)