John 15:1-8 is a familiar passage to most of us who’ve been around church for a while. For those who may not be familiar, this passage talks about how Jesus is the vine, God is the gardner and we (our lives) are the branches. Verse 2 says “Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit.” Go back and read those words again, taking note of the bolded words. 

Now let me ask you a question. Do you ever pray for things and then fail to realize God is answering your prayer through life’s circumstances? Because it happens to me ALL the time! Let me tell you a bit about how 2025 ended for me and the prayer I believe God has been answering in my life. 

Let’s start with the prayer I’ve been praying for what seems like years. “God, please destroy my pride, whatever it takes, create in me a humble and pure heart”. I fully admit pride has been a stumbling block sin in me for a long time. It’s been a constant daily prayer. Just about the time I think I’ve made progress, something happens and I realize – nope -I’m still acting prideful. 

This latest lesson in humility started in late November when, after an extremely frustrating day at work I came home, attempted to slam the front door when it bounced back and caught me right in the face. Leaving me with a cut as well as a black eye. After a good cry, I decided to embrace the truth and just be honest with those that asked about what happened. My answer went something like this “Well, I was mad and I tried to slam the door to let a bit of that anger out when, BAM the door bounced back and caught me right in the face”. A humbling experience to say the least. Fast forward to the end of December and another “accident”. This time I tripped over air coming in from our garage and ended up with a severely broken shoulder, surgery, 13 screws and a lengthy scar on my upper arm. 

Do you know how humbling it is to need and have to ask for help with basically everything?! For several weeks I was unable to do much of anything with my left arm. I couldn’t dress myself, had to have help getting a plastic bag over my arm to shower, can’t buckle my seatbelt, tie my shoes, or even reach up high enough to flip a light switch! You don’t realize how many things you do with both arms/hands until you can’t. The surgery to repair the break, which was way worse than we understood prior to surgery, was on December 22nd. Which meant I had to let go of so many things I had planned to do for Christmas. It meant having to say no and pull back from commitments I had made, it meant letting my family and friends help me with basically all of life. And it has been so very HARD! 

But here is the thing – God got my attention! I’m not honestly sure I even realized the full extent of how until I sat down to write this story today. I’m gonna be 100% honest with you all here and hope that maybe this experience resonates with some of you reading. Since my fall, I’ve been pretty frustrated and angry with God. My quiet times have been a huge struggle, I have little to no focus and have felt far from God. Not for lack of trying and praying, because I have spent many sleepless nights crying out to God for relief, healing, and miracles. All of which I didn’t feel like He was hearing or acting upon. The thing is though, He was! I just didn’t see it or understand it because it wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted a miracle healing and what He has been doing is destroying my pride. Which ironically is what I asked for in the first place. 

Two Biblical stories come to mind when I think about God using unusual circumstances to get someone’s attention. Moses and Paul. In Exodus 3 we read about Moses hearing from God through a burning bush. And in Acts 9, we read about Paul hearing from God through a bright and blinding light. In both of these cases, once God had their attention these men were transformed by God. We all know the stories, but have you ever stopped to really consider just how deeply and fully these two men were completely captivated and transformed by God for His purposes and glory?! It’s honestly pretty amazing! In 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 Paul says “We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed.”  

I have no idea what or how God will use me or my story for His glory or how deeply I’ll be transformed, but I know He will use it and me. One of my favorite passages is 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 “Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me.  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Can I tell you that I understand these words on such a deeper level than I ever have! 

God has been listening and He has been answering and He has been destroying my pride by teaching me to rely on Him and not myself. He has taught me I need others in my life and that it’s ok, even good to ask for and accept help. He has taught me to slow down – way down. Did I mention that it takes me twice as long to do most everything now. My movements are slow and purposeful. I have to think before doing pretty much anything. God did that! 

One last thing. I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned before that I hate to cry. I have cried so many days and times since my fall it’s embarrassing. One night I was almost inconsolable over the scar that goes from the top of my shoulder to just under my armpit. Things like that don’t normally bother me, but for whatever reason it really got to me. Today as I am writing this it’s like God opened my eyes just a bit more by showing me that I will now have a visual reminder of this life lesson. Every time I see or touch my scar, I will be reminded of a pruned branch. A necessary pruning so that more fruit can be produced. A reminder to choose humility over pride. Kind of a cool reminder if you ask me?!

P.S. I am beyond grateful for the family and friends God has blessed me with and there is no way I could have made it these past few months without your help, encouragement and support. I’m especially grateful for my husband who has literally been my left arm for the past month. Thank you for being so very kind, patient and understanding with me!