Deep Roots

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, or Good Day!

I don't know if you are a fan of trees, but I am a fan.  I am not from
these parts, and I miss the large variety of large trees from north of
here - so I really appreciate the live oaks that we have down here.  I
attached a tree pic I took on a walk here at work.

The palm trees here are usually transplanted - I don't know if you
have ever seen a palm tree, but they barely have any roots at all.
The root ball is tiny, and if there is ever a serious storm, they are
ripped right out of the ground.

Not so with the live oaks.  Their roots are widespead, and go deep,
and hang on.  They may get battered and beaten by the storms we have
around here, and branches may be broken, but the main tree - it will
remain.  Over time, the branches heal, and new leaves come, and the
tree may look different than it did before the storm, but it is
stronger, and still growing, and most importantly - still standing.

There are a lot of verses in the Bible referring to trees and the
importance of having roots.  This was always a challenge to me - I was
an Air Force brat, and I moved every 1-3 years.  I never had roots in
any one place.  It was frustrating to rip up everything and move so
frequently!

The Bible is not referring to this kind of roots, though - if we are
rooted firmly in the Word of God, and let His Word water us and
nurture us, then our roots go deep, and hold us firm, no matter what
storm of life is thrown at us.

Jeremiah 17:8
New Living Translation (NLT)

8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
   with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
   or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
   and they never stop producing fruit.

Notice there is heat, there is drought - but they continue to thrive.
In fact, they are not bothered.

You have been through a storm - and you may be still be buffeted by
the winds right now as you read this.  Draw deeply from the Word.
Lean on the Lord.  He will strengthen you in this storm, and you will
still be standing at the end.  You might have to throw away some
broken branches, may have to trim some off that are jagged and
broken...but you will still be standing. Growing.  Learning.

Hang in there!