We have a pine tree in our backyard.  It is immense in its size, in its strength, and in its perseverance.  About 30 years ago when I was five years old, the tree was maybe three quarters of its current size.  At that time, a tornado passed close to our house.  It was strong enough that it snapped the pine tree in half.  Despite this adversity and destruction, the pine tree found a way.  In the middle of the tree you can see where the branches came together and grew up as if to make up for the trunk that was lost.  The tree continues to grow.  It continues to be an adventure for kids to climb!  It continues to be a beauty I fear and love at the same time.

As I stare at this tree, I question if my faith in God is just as immense. Where do my roots grow?  How deep and wide are they?  Are they solidly formed in Christ with the knowledge He will always be there and never let me fall? Would a “tornado” rip me from the ground or simply snap me in half? If I am still planted, God will help me to rise up and continue to thrive. God’s community will surround me, making up for my missing trunk, reminding me to adjust and grow upwards.

It says in Jeremiah 17:7-8, 

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.  He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

Just like the extensive roots that must be below my giant tree, our faith in God grows as we dig deep into His Word, always seek Him and His will, and pray.  He keeps us strong and sturdy, despite the broken world around us that may break us or bring us down. We will never fall because we will always have roots in Him.  We will never cease to grow, cease to have adventure, cease to bring joy to others.  

May you be rooted in love and filled with the fullness of God as it states in Ephesians 3:16-19,

“That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith — that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

ABOUT OUR BLOGGER

A former teacher, coach and personal trainer, Kristin Ryan now loves being a stay-at-home mom. As someone who has more recently found Christianity, she enjoys learning and growing in her faith and is excited to share her experience with others. Kristin and her husband, Casey, have three small children (one was born during the pandemic) and one big dog.