Live Deeply Rooted

To the car passing by, the hole within my tree would probably go unnoticed.

It hides tucked within the willow oak of my front yard. This black hole tells the story of a past storm when a lightning strike threatened to end her. This evidence of this past trauma stares back at me.

She is Hollow. Bare. Hurt. Damaged.

I have seen strong winds blow since. I have watched her arms dip low wondering if they might break as they twist and turn. I have cringed as the heavy hail thrashed her being, and I have questioned if she has the strength to continue standing.

But . . .

If you examine her wound closely, you see bark has grown where the lightening did it’s worse. Because of this, she stands stronger now than before. Her mere existence gives a message of hope and healing. She is a story of survival, strength, and becoming an overcomer. Her troubles have not defeated nor defined her. Each year she continues to stand; seventeen years now, I have watched her hold her ground. And each year her green limbs stretch out a little wider and a little taller.

She stands high because her roots go deep. Roots that hold her firm when the storm winds blow around her. Her roots are not shaken. They have grown deep and wide. Her roots are the secret to her living life well.

My friend, just like my tree has lived deeply rooted, we live spiritually strong when we can live deeply rooted in God’s word. His love letter waters our soul. Our lives will flourish as we stay connected to the Savior. Like my tree takes nourishment through its roots, our spiritual roots feed in prayer and scripture reading.

Yes, the storms of life will come. You might have a few scars to show, but you have roots as well. Let your roots go deep. Grow and mature for with His strength, we are an overcomer. We are not only an overcomer but a beautiful life.

Stand strong, friends. Stand strong.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8