deep roots.

[ photo found here ]

so a friend shared today about when a tree's roots grow the deepest.  Do you know?  

Well, the answer is not when its beautiful out & the rain is flowing.  Tree's roots grow the deepest during droughts, during the dry times.  

Why does this matter?  It actually makes a huge difference.  See, a lot of times with our relationship with the Lord we can think that the best times & "most productive" are when we are being flooded with emotions, knowledge & intimacy with the Lord.  But, really, its those hard, dry times where your roots grow the deepest.  Then, when the winds come crashing through, your roots are dug deep & your foundation is secure.  

If its always raining, roots stay close to the surface so be near that water.  Then when the winds come, there is no grounding of the roots & the tree falls over. 

Its not fun to be in those dry times.  But they are necessary.  God uses our droughts to draw us deep into Him... we just may not realize it till a storm comes. 

The deeper the roots, the greater capacity that tree will have to bear much fruit.  

I want to be a tree that stands tall. With beautiful leaves & abundant fruit.  

This won't happen over night either.  It takes time.  Time is something that we don't like.  We want everything right now.  But God is on a different schedule.  He's not worried about time- He controls it!

"Let me look upward to the towering oak and know that it grew great and strong because it grew slowly and well" -Charles R. Swindoll, Three Steps Forward, Two Steps Back

I know I've said this before, but I think its that important... just stop.  Slow down.  I think we're missing out on the seasons in our life.  The importance of the newness & abundance of the spring... and the importance of the dry, hard times of the cold winters.  Don't miss the need for all the seasons, especially the ones that are going to grow deep, deep roots that take time to grow.  And when you see a flower begin to unfold, stop, and thank the Lord.  He doesn't want you to miss out on that either.  

I want to be a tree with deep roots.  I want to be a tree that stands tall. With beautiful leaves & abundant, sweet smelling fruit.  

Lord, help me to wait.  To sit by Your feet & drink You in.  To trust Your timing &  Your seasons that You have in store for my life.  To trust that You are in control, that You love me & want the deepest longings of my soul to be satisfied & rooted only in You.