You can hardly go into a store at this time of year and not be reminded that Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. You find hearts, cards, candy, and flowers everywhere you look. Obviously this is to remind everyone not to forget the ones you love. However, Valentine’s Day also serves as another reminder. When you think of Valentine’s Day, roses come to mind. As I have been told, it is the perfect time of the year to cut back or prune your rose bushes.

I had heard this little reminder several years ago. However, a friend of mine, Linda, gave me this advice last summer. She has over 60 blooming rose bushes in her back yard! When I heard this, I was truly amazed. I have about 6, and they look terrible. The stems on mine are going out in all directions, and they hardly have any foliage on them. Each year they get worse instead of better.

When I asked what the issue was, she told me that I wasn’t pruning them enough. I cut them back each year, but she said she cuts them back practically to the stub. I guess my few inches aren’t really helping my rose bushes be all that they can be. This year I plan to take her advice and not only cut off the dead areas, but also some of what appears to be alive and well. I hope to have thriving roses this summer.

The Bible also teaches the concept of pruning in our lives.

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

As Christians, we know that the Lord is the Master Gardener. He knows what we need and how much to prune our lives to make us vibrant and beautiful. There will be times in our lives that He may prune just a few inches to remove some of the dead areas. Other times He may cut us down to the stub, removing areas that are not dead so that we will thrive and bloom. We need to keep in mind that He knows what He is doing, and He is always in control.

When I think of Linda’s roses in comparison to mine, it is almost embarrassing. Just as she is a master at roses, the Lord is a Master with us. Pruning may hurt in the process, but in the end we will bring honor and glory to His name.

Linda’s Tips for Pruning Rose Bushes

• Do not be afraid to cut—it does them good.
• Use sharp shears.
• Cut back to where it begins to get green … all the brown stuff goes!

She cuts hers until: 

1. All the brown stick-looking twigs are gone.
2. She likes the direction they will be growing.
3. (and her personal favorite) They are not sticking out and cutting her when she walks by. 

Copyright © by Susan Sikes