It was my 38th birthday yesterday. This week, this month, this entire year has brought me closer to the point of this whole operation: abiding.

Sometimes, I forget that. Sometimes the cart is so far in front of the horse, that I can’t even hear it neigh anymore. I want things. I’m human. And God is pruning away any want or desire for success.

And I’m so thankful.

Pruning is a weird thing. Jesus talks about it in John 15. God, the gardener, prunes the righteous, the ones who are truly abiding in Him. And He takes away what we understand to be good things. Sometimes they are. Sometimes, they’re not.

But they must be removed so our fruit can flourish. So we can truly remain in the vine, Jesus.

I’m not writing to succeed. I’m writing because it’s my love language to God. When I write, I feel closer to Him. And I just can’t place a dollar sign on that.

And honestly? I think that’s okay. It’s okay to abide, to obey.

It’s okay to watch the fruit flower, a miraculous endeavor that has nothing to do with the work of my own two hands.

© 2023 by Ericka Clay

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