Deeply Rooted

Psalm 1:2-3 -- "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers."

our neighborhood pool

It could not have been more perfect. My two best friends on this earth, gorgeous sunshine, and crystal waters in the pool/water park at our neighborhood rec. center. Warm sunshine on our shoulders and cool water in which to float, the three of us enjoyed fellowship with kindred spirits in what felt like a retreat - a "staycation" if you will. In Florida Summers, however - one must get these glorious moments when the gettin's good - because more often than not, the hot air inland wages war with the cooler breezes off the ocean and by early afternoon, the thunderstorms roll in.

This day was no exception. Looking above the thick line of trees that boarder the rec center I saw the dark clouds creep in, ready to pounce. The wind picked up, the barometric pressure dropped, and the temperature cooled down a couple of degrees.  Definitely storm territory. And while I'm not averse to swimming in the rain - the infamous Florida lightning is a completely different matter. So ... these three fish abandoned the pool.

I love the sharp contrast of deep green trees, lush with saturated leaves, and bright green St. Augustine grass when held against a black sky full of storm clouds. There is just something about a storm rolling in, the way the light changes and the wind blows up that makes the green pop in a vivid display. I watched the trees.

fallen Oak after a storm

In storm fueled microbursts, the Cypress and the Pines in the forest around us began to sway - almost line dancing to the rumble of the thunder that would follow. Pine trees catch lightning the way a cast net gathers fish off of our sub-tropical coasts - but they very rarely break in the wind. Cypress trees almost NEVER break in the wind. On the other hand, Live Oak, a time-honored symbol of the deep south with their long branches and Spanish Moss - fall over like Southern Belles embarrassed by foul language. The reason? Live Oak trees look strong and wide, but their roots don't go very deep into the ground. Add a good stiff wind, throw in some over-saturated turf and those giant beauties take a very heavy fall. A Pine or a Cypress tree? ... have roots firmly and deeply planted into the Florida soil. Cypress trees, in particular, have roots that anchor deep and fan out - almost resembling the lightning that spider veins across the sky in a good sub-tropical weather tantrum. The roots make all the difference. 

In Psalm 1 - we are reminded to grow deep roots. Deep roots provide room to grow, room to blossom, room to bare fruit. The part of the tree above ground is not the part that will save it in a storm or keep it healthy enough to pollinate. It all comes down to the roots.

Just like us. 

It's not the Sunday morning church service or the annual Christmas pageant that will save us in a spiritual crisis. It's not the Wednesday night prayer meeting that will make us healthy enough to bare fruit. It's DAILY meditation. Roots planted firmly and deeply in the Word of God. Our bright and shiny Sunday Best may present an appealing and even beautiful package - but as it has so very often been said - beauty is only skin deep. Like a Live Oak. Breathtaking greens, wonderfully textured bark with deep ridges and silky, flowing Spanish Moss - do not keep the thing from toppling over in a Florida Hurricane. 

Deep, firm roots. Not only will we whether the weather with this solid anchor - but we will prosper. That's key. Not only do I get to survive the tumultuous weather patterns of my life, to grow tall and strong - but I get to flourish. I get to prosper. I get to bare fruit in my season with leaves that don't wither.  I get to .... spread the pollen. Spread the Word. Prosper.




How amazing is that?