Pruning

 Watching her hair get cut brought some high emotions and near tears for me. Her face was so radiant and joyful. She was full of grace and spiritual light, though deep down in her eyes and facial expression, you could see there was a raw, tender and heartfelt suffering.

 Jessica Hanna. A woman who battled breast cancer on and off and on again, and just recently passed away. I heard about her and her story through my dear sister, and I was capitated. Her story seems to be nearly everywhere now- on social media and YouTube, Catholic podcasters and Relevant Radio. The video I saw of her donating her hair as it had grown out enough to donate (for cancer patients, though she too was a cancer patient), was a radical testament of faith, letting go and surrender. They would cut all the rest, rather shave since with her chemo and radiation, it would fall out anyway. 

I've also donated my hair (twice), as well as my nieces, and it's a powerful experience. It can take a long time to actually grow out for the required length and desired cut. But then seeing it all be put into a bag for a cancer(s) patient is quite profound. My first time it was 2 years' worth of uncut hair!! But what made me emotional was that she was radiant with joy, trust and prayer while getting her hair literally chopped.

 And the second time donating for me, it was too short of a cut than what I wanted or anticipated. I was not happy about it and even felt bitter for a long while. Little did I know, God was pruning me. He was showing me His will for my life then that was also quite painful at times. I could easily feel sad or bitter about it, but I needed to keep surrendering. 

And here this beautiful and spiritually strong woman wasn't complaining or angry, but smiling and peaceful and entrusting it all to the Lord. She's an amazing example of God's grace at work and surrendering it all to Him and let Him do the pruning. For then, beautiful roses will appear.