Daily Delight
Growing up, fall was never one of my favorite seasons. I grew up just outside of New York City and the cooler weather always signaled back-to-school, shorter days and the start of a long and cold winter.I never had an appreciation for the crunchy leaves or the warm hues of orange and yellow.I had it in my head that fall was a sad time of year where the warm, long days of summer faded into the darkness and all that was ahead was dread.In fact, it wasn’t until I moved to North Carolina that fall was an enjoyable season for me. Ask anyone who lives here — it’s really just an extension of Summer with the addition of football.In a season where I used to question how anyone saw any form of beauty, I now see God’s relentless pursuit of our hearts.Instead of seeing dead leaves and bare branches, I see a gracious God who gently prunes His children so we can burst forth in due time to bear more fruit.Instead of seeing shorter days and colder weather, I see nature prompting us to rest and God inviting us into a more cozy relationship with Him.The Bible talks a lot about the way God prunes us so that we will be enabled to bear even more fruit for His kingdom. And while I’m no gardener, a quick Google search told me that the best time to prune is as soon as a branch is dead or diseased — the sooner the better.And this year? I am eager for fall and eager to lean into the way God prunes me — His beloved child, anxious to bear the most fruit I could ever possibly bear for His glory.
“He 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.” -John 15:2 (ESV)
About the Author
Diana Carter is a writer and teacher enamored by the vision of a generation of women boldly embracing their Biblical identities. She spends her weeks as a Communications Director at a large multi-site church in Charlotte, NC where she lives with her husband, Tyler.Diana founded Because I’m His, an online community committed to equipping women in their true identities, in 2016. In between all of the serious stuff, you can usually find her with Tyler: shamelessly binge-watching Bravo! or brewery hopping with friends.You can connect with Diana on Instagram here and follow along with the Because I'm His tribe here.