(I began writing this entry while with Bruce on an RV road trip last fall, to the upper Midwest. I want to dedicate it to Diane Slaughter, who shared with us her reluctance to deal with the literal roots in nature, as well as to all of us who have struggled along the hard path of life. Given that this is the week of St. Patrick’s Day, I also want to raise a word of praise and likely will raise a glass to toast all the family heritages represented by you, the readers on On Parallel Paths. From Latin America, to the US, to the UK, across continental Europe, to Africa-welcome Nairobi!, to Egypt and across the Middle East. While my genetic DNA has an abundance of English (Morgan/Harper/Sherrod), Scots-Irish (Gilliland/Cammack) and Western European (Kosier), yes you could call us mutts :)… I am taking time this week to give thanks for those who have raised me and for the unique attributes that I carry within me because of those who have come before me. Join me in celebrating your unique ‘roots’ both genealogically and spiritually.)

While walking with my husband Bruce in Old Stone Fort State Archeological Park, in Tennessee yesterday, the roots on the trail grabbed (literally) my attention. We’re not talking about just a few exposed roots like you see at the base of oak trees here in the South, but many roots. Stepping between them cautiously, we followed the park’s main archeological trail along the escarpment between the Duck and Little Duck Rivers. We picked our way along and amongst the ancient remaining walls of this 50-acre tract, totally fascinated by what is believed-to-be a sacred ritual area made by prehistoric Native Americans. If you like to hike, you know that exposed roots, under the canopy of oak trees in the fall, damp after a rain, can make for challenging hiking terrain. You need to be alert to avoiding tripping over or slipping on the roots. A twisted ankle or a fall flat on your face has a way of wrecking your outing.

It is commonly known that roots are the means by which a tree gets it nutrients and the “foundation structure” by which a tree is held securely in the ground. A tree’s root system starts as very thin threads of living matter, ever so slowly enlarging as it creeps down through the soil channeling essential water and minerals up to the tree for its growth. A tree’s roots often reflect the system of branches and limbs that are seen above the surface of the earth. Roots are essential for the life of a tree. Except for a few trees that I have seen here in Florida, like Mangroves and Cypress, I usually don’t see the extensive root system of most trees.

To my surprise when I used “the Google”, to research more about trees and their roots,  I found BOBSCAPEING at bobscaping.com,  the website that shared a list of quite a few trees that can grow with their roots exposed. Bob explains in his writing that “Some of the tree species that are notorious for producing surface roots are those that grow quickly…and…Many of these are trees that tend to tolerate adverse growing conditions. Their propensity for producing surface roots aids in their survival in such situations. Environmental factors play an important role in the growth of surface roots. They are common when a tree is grown in hard, compacted clay soil or in areas where the soil is saturated with water frequently. Roots tend to grow where they find the most favorable conditions: adequate water, air, and nutrients. In poor growing conditions, the most favorable place is often close to the soil surface. Also, erosion can expose a tree’s lateral roots.”

From ancient Judeo-Christian scripture we learn in Jeremiah 17:7-8 about the blessings of letting our roots of faith grow down deep in the soil of God’s love. 

“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” 

Yes, here in this beautiful and fascinating state park, there are the roots of Silver Maple and River Birch, visibly growing long and wide in the shallow terrain, that sits on top of limestone rock and a smidgeon of soil, on the banks between two rivers.  Jeremiah’s words ‘expose the root’ of a whole new meaning to me. 

The roots along this path remind me of how challenging life can be, to hold on to our “faith-footing” during really difficult situations. You too, have likely had times where you feel like you’re getting a bit low on the soil of your faith, and you are struggling to hold on to God’s promises from God’s Word…promises like…

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

…then why do I feel so lonely?…Why is everything in my life so hard right now?

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Matthew 7:7…

“Then why didn’t you heal our son, God?…why did my grandmother have to die so young?…how come I didn’t get the promotion at work?”

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jerimiah 29:11…

“Then why was my job the one that was eliminated?… “then why is it taking me so long to get pregnant?”…”then why do I have to deal with these kinds of health problems?”

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” 

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT…

“Then why am I still confused about what to do with my life?

https://youtu.be/EqsnGE3_dsg

So, I return to the scripture from Jeremiah 17:7-8 about roots so that I can get my head and heart around what God’s Word might be trying to say to me. Let’s reflect on it phrase by phrase.

“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him….” If I want to be walking in God’s blessings and promises, then I have been approaching life the wrong way for most of my 6 decades. I must confess that my confidence has often been placed in my own ability and efforts…according to scriptures that has been a misplaced confidence that I need to repent of. Maybe a big reason I have missed out of some of God’s blessings, such as peace and contentment is because I have relied on my own self sufficiency, instead anchoring and stabilizing myself by resting solely in the Lord. That is what trust and faith is all about, isn’t it?

…”He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.” By tapping more into God’s word and drawing deep from His peace through time meditating on His goodness, love, and grace, God can work in me so my roots of faith to go deeper. Opening my eyes to what God wants to show me and listening for more of what He wants to reveal to me, can help my roots run toward Him. Maybe this is why I haven’t been consistently filled with the “nutrients” that are available to help me thrive and become all that Christ wants me to be.

 …“It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” The presence of my fears and worries are evidence that my “roots” are still in the process of “growing down” and I need to lean in the Lord, and consciously put my trust in Him. Then, He can direct me in ways to let my faith and love of Him shine forth. It is by His work that I’ll bear fruit, not by my own efforts alone. By saying something like, “I need your help Jesus.” Or “Lord, I know you can help me.”, He take away my fears and guide the ways I live and work and contribute to society.  Having those deep and stable roots means that the fruit of my faith can abound and bless others. 

Hey, but wait a minute….what about the biological tree facts that we learned….that there are trees that not only “survive” in hard time but “thrive” because their “roots grow quickly when the environment around them is hard, harsh, unyielding.?” Roots can grow strong if “there is enough air, water, and nutrients…often near the surface is where the conditions are most favorable.”  Can you relate at all to having a growth time, despite harsh conditions? I can begrudgingly attest to the fact that my roots of faith have grown longer and wider when I have had to traverse life roughest terrain. Aside of my eleven years of writing and delivering women’s retreat messages, the process and content of writing for Will’s cancer journey on the Caringbridge site was the closest I have come to having my “roots exposed” during a season of great difficulty. Sure, before Will’s journey there was some relational heartbreaks, infertility to deal with, huge decision about leaving a home and lifestyle that was very comfortable for Bruce to go into the ministry, rough patches with certain congregations that Bruce served. But, through it all, I know that God has used these “digging deep times” to write my faith story, to support me in surviving the loss of Will, to bring about in me growth and strength, that I didn’t know I had. I can only pray that the words from my “roots” are pleasing to the Lord, bring Him glory, and draw others to Him, as I focus more and more on His love and promises to me.

This pondering about God using the hard times “to grow me” points to another favorite promise from God that I hold fast to as a part of my spiritual foundation. 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a]have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

https://youtu.be/ZyfUdwGBjtk

This scripture was given to me on a plaque by Bruce for Christmas when we first began dating, about six months after each of us were “dumped” by our respective prior significant others. It was one of the first scriptures that I adopted as a young adult and is one that I still cling to today. How do we survive? How do we do more and actually thrive? Just like the roots on the banks of the river there at Old Stone Fort State Archeological Park, in Tennessee. When the soil of life appears thin… when strong winds blow… when there seems like there won’t be enough provision to meet my hunger and thirst… I will trust in God to enable me to cling to Him… I will cling to his promises of love and provision that will meet my needs… no matter what.

Thanks be to God. 

For a blessing today listen here to the generational story about a family and their special tree. 

https://youtu.be/vvNKYN8segY