I know it’s not my age, because according to pop culture, 56 is the new 36 . . . right?  It may be my “granddarlings,” as I call them.  When I look around at this crazy world, it makes me think about the things I want those little girls to know for certain.  They won’t have the privilege of growing up in an innocent world like girls my age did.  We may have thought it was boring at the time, but we could have never envisioned the things from which we were protected.

I want to tell them so many things.  “Back where I come from,” as they say in East Tennessee, and also in Alabama where I grew up, your heritage and your roots are important.  In talking with Debbie and Lauren recently I told them the Tree-O website’s logo reminded me of that. I just love the picture of the tall tree with branches stretching upward and roots going down deep and across.  It reminded me of an illustration about the necessity for a strong root system I learned in a Bible study that really made an impression on me.  So much so, I drew pictures of those trees in the back of my Bible (dated 01/92).  I’ll spare you my artistic ability.  Just visualize it with me as I tell it to you.

Think about the most beautiful Christmas tree you ever decorated.  I’m sure there is one tree that stands out in your mind as the best one ever!  So much time and money is spent picking the right tree, just the right height and shape.  You take it home and with such love and care you decorate it.  You string the lights, put on all sorts of beautiful expensive ornaments, maybe things you’ve collected or maybe you add some new ones each year.  Everyone who sees your tree comments on its beauty.  You take great pride and pleasure in it “for a season.”

It’s not a strong tree. It can’t stand alone, so it’s placed in a stand to hold it up and make it strong enough to hold all the adornment we put on it.  It looks pretty and “alive” for a while.  This tree can’t be exposed to outside elements.  If you were to expose it to normal wind, rain or temperature changes, it couldn’t survive.  It won’t survive anyway . . .  it’s not intended to  . . . its purpose is to look pretty.  You do not want anyone to bother that tree!    Just make sure the stand is sturdy, keep it watered, and keep everyone away from it.  It is going to wither and die . . . period!  There is no source to keep it alive.   (Hold that thought!)

Now, contrast that with another type of tree.  Think about a tree that is firmly planted in the ground with a root system that is intact, something like a big strong oak tree.  They can withstand almost anything, wind, rain, storms, warm or cold climates, snow, and pruning because of their root system.  Not only can they withstand it, all of those things are part of what make them strong.  The roots go down deep into the soil getting the nutrients they need to provide for new growth and development, thus the top of the tree.  The roots also go deep and wide into the soil to absorb the nutrients that cause that tree to be anchored, stable, and strong.  That’s a tree built for endurance not looks!  Honey, if you’re going to get through this life, you’d better be built for endurance!

What’s my point?, my point is . . . .

Many times in our spiritual lives we get caught up in hanging things on, to adorn, to make us look beautiful and feel good about ourselves.  We receive compliments and have others think we’ve got it all together, we’re doing great.  We can get so caught up that we ignore the important things people don’t see.  We don’t spend time talking to God in prayer and listening to Him through His Word, and it doesn’t take much wind, rain, or temperature change and we are completely blown over, because we’ve allowed our relationship to become superficial and the foundation to weaken.

They may not say, “Girl, you have a great looking root system!” but trust me when I tell you,  they can see and are drawn to the fruit that will be produced from those nutrients that only come from spending time with Him.  You can’t buy them at a boutique, you can’t just drape them on . . . they have to come from within!  (Gal. 5:22)  Fruits like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Slow down and read them again.  It’s just you and God there, be honest with yourself.  In this upside down world we live in, are you experiencing those in your life?  You really can.

Have you checked your roots lately?  I want my granddarlings to know about more than tinsel and lights, ornamental trees that won’t withstand the storms of life that I know will come to them.  I want to have a part in providing a strong root system, a heritage that helps prepare them for those storms, so they don’t have to fear, they know where to run, they go back to their roots.

Today in the mountains its 85 degrees and the skies are blue and clear!  Go find yourself a big strong shade tree, sit down and talk to Him for a while.  I promise He will meet you there.  You will come away with the nutrients you need to allow your branches to develop and grow, to allow your roots to go deeper, to anchor your life, endure life’s trials and struggles and stand strong.

If you want to share anything from your time under the tree, the Talley’s would love to hear from you.

Thanks for letting me share.

Philda Wisecarver

Ps    Oh, you may want to draw your own illustrations and write a little story in the back of your Bible for your darlings and granddarlings.  Leave them everything you can to follow!