Beneath The Silence.

Have you ever wondered what goes on beneath the surface of the ground after you plant a seed? What does it look like? What way are the roots growing? Would we see struggles? Would we see pain in the roots as they grow? Would we see any light or just darkness? What about sound, is there any?

I know from my own experience in pulling up plants that they always seem to have more roots holding them down than I ever imagine. I wonder, how did there get to be so many and why are there so many on such a tiny plant? And have you ever wondered how those little things can be so tough? I am not a green thumb by any stretch of the imagination but I do know that the roots of a plant are how the plant gets its nourishment and strength to stand and grow. When the delicate flowers and plants are up against a strong rain storm or a drought, it is in the depth and strength of its roots that it will find its sustenance. And when the winds blow it’s the deep roots of the plant that keeps it grounded. Though it may become bruised or broken and at times wither, if its roots are strong and their gardener is attentive to its needs, it will not just survive but will grow into the beautiful plant that God intends, and much praise will be given to the gardener.

I believe God does that with us. At least that is what it feels like he was been doing with me over this last year. After what seemed like a long year of storms, the past 12 months has been a time of “refreshing”. I felt weakend, bruised and shaken last year. But my faith in my gardener remained strong. Without which I know I would not have come through the shaking as I did without drying out completely. It has been by continuing to nourish my roots in Christ that has enabled me to walk through “life on life’s terms”. It’s in times beneath the surface, the "“silent times” sometimes in the dark cold times that I’ve grown stronger in Him. In those times I experience the comfort of my Gardener and am able to soak in the blessings of this life He has given me. It’s during these times that I have become grateful for and learned to embrace and enjoy the “simple things” in life, taking walks or bike rides, playing with the pets, or just sitting in the sun or under the stars at night, fun times and quiet times, alone or with an expanding circle of friends.

In order to grow beautiful and strong, like the oak tree and the evergreens, I must seek to go down deeper in the soil of my soul. Deeper into the word of my Gardener that feeds life into my spirit and is the very essence of my being. Just as the roots of seedlings go deeper receiving good nourishment to grow up right and beautiful, bearing good fruit, I pray that as I continue to go deeper in Him and remain under the shadow of His wings, I too will grow up right and beautiful bearing the fruit He planted me to produce. All for His glory and praise.

I am blessed! And I am grateful, may I not fail to bear fruit.

7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.

8 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."

Jeremiah 17