Rooted in Love

“They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”
Isaiah‬ ‭61:3‬b NIV‬‬

My mind races. My thoughts collide into one another. I feel powerless to stop the constant pounding noise. There is a storm brewing in and around me. It’s gale winds rage, they push and pull. This world is wild and uncertain. 

It is peace my mind craves. 
It is stillness my body longs for.
It is renewal my heart desires.
On my own, I am helpless. 

I reach deeper,
I grasp higher.
I seek after more,
more meaning,
more beauty,
more connection,
more striving,
more distraction. 

This reaching does not satisfy the unquenchable thirst. This grasping for more, it only depletes me. Leaving me hungry and hollow, parched and brittle.

Where can I go? 
Can I go down to the depths?
Can I reach up to the heights?
Even there, You are with me.
You hem me in, before and behind.*

Can abiding in Your presence be all that I need? 

Like a tree, reaching waters deep, rooting strong and stable. The storms they will come. I will sway and I will bend. My branches may break yet these wild elements will not uproot me. 

In you, I plant my life.
Your peace, seeps in.
Your grace, washes over me.
Your still waters, renew me,
sustain me, soothe my inner ache,
quiet my raging storm. 

I am a strong, established oak. 

My branches stretching wide, reaching high. My jewel colored leaves shining radiant in your glorious light.

I am shaded relief for a weary traveler.

I am a refuge against the harsh, unrelenting elements. 

I am a nourishing home for a growing family. 

I am a perch for a hopeful morning song.

I am rooted deep in your love. 

My inner life is hidden in the secure, unshakable grip of your eternal life-giving embrace. In your love, there is no beginning and there is no end. 

Only deeper,
only wider,
always more,
immeasurably more. 

“They 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 ‭17:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,”
Ephesians‬ ‭3:17b-20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

*Psalm 139:5-10

A Note about pictures: I decided to include some pictures taken way back in early August. I’ve been meaning to do this sooner but the days and months seem to blend into one another and I’m now getting around to it. 

August 14, 2020, my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. We had a simple, intimate (social distanced) gathering in our front yard under the shade of the magnolia tree. Three generations together—celebrating this momentous occasion. All ten grandchildren were there!!

A gracious friend took pictures. (Thank you again, Kelli!) It was such a beautiful and memorable day that we will always hold dear. I figured there could not be a better post than this one to share some photos from the day. 

Mom and Dad,

Here’s to 50+ years rooted in His love! You have weathered many storms together. We will get through this uncertain season as well. His love and care for us, our strong and secure foundation.