Pruning is the Best!

A friend posted on her facebook status this morning my favorite Bible passage. It's from John 15.
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ²He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."
There's more that makes it my favorite, but this second verse is what I like best. Jesus is saying his branches (his followers) are pruned if they don't bear fruit. Since I'm one of his followers, I'm subject to pruning. I love that!
Most of you have probably figured out I'm not shy and retiring. I don't mind taking chances and I think life should be lived, really lived. Knowing that God will prune me says to me that I can move ahead confidently and boisterously because God will let me know when it's too much. He'll let me know when I need to slow down or be cautious or change direction. It's not a guessing game.
It's the freedom of a toddler in a backyard. Free to run, fall down and get back up. Freedom granted because there is a fence behind all those flowers and bushes.
And yet, we've all seen what happens when that toddler (or teenager) finds their fence. There's the choice. Do I kick and yell at the fence? Grow resentful at everything being kept from me, which must obviously be SO much better than this lame yard? Do I allow the fence to diminish what was moments ago beautiful, exciting and fulfilling?
The promise to prune, is one wonderful way I know God is involved in what I do and where I go. Time to stop staring at the fence. Life is too short to not enjoy today!