Rooted - Day Thirty Final

June 30, 2022
Rooted

Day Thirty -

The time has come for me to gently close the chapter of this series and slip quietly back into a more obscure place…

A place I rather prefer - and not center stage.

I am grateful tonight for dear friends who continually encourage. They seek out ways to love and bless others. They consider others before themselves.

Many of these friends have gone through dark trials, heavy hardships, difficult years… and each of them continue to emerge more and more beautiful… the Light of the Cross radiating through them.

I take hope from their faith. It causes me to dig in my heels further and stand.

I take strength from their testimonies of fierce, tenacious faith. It reminds me to breathe and remember - the goodness of God.

I take cues from their actions… their hearts overflowing with love and care. I watch how they smile and move amongst all different types of people… honoring of all - respecter of none.

I spent the entire morning weeding and pruning, laying down water lines and attaching supports for some of the plants in my gardens.

Thirty days ago - the gardens looked tidy and proper.
Today, they are like a jungles.

I cannot tell you when they grew… I can only look back and see - growth has taken place.

While I watched and tended…
Watered and mended…

Seeds became seedlings…
Seedlings became plants…
Plants took root -
And we now have fruit.

And this is how we live

Day by day - leaning towards God.
Hearts continually aware of Him.
Growing growing growing…

Putting down good seed…
Tending and nurturing…
Weeding and feeding…

And one day - we discover- we have grown. WE are becoming those dear friends - who continually encourage, who seek out ways to love and bless, who consider others before themselves.

When did that growth happen?

During the raw times…
The hard times…
The long summer days of scorching sun and falling rain…

We grow best -
when we are most
uncomfortable.

Roots foraging down deeper -
earnestly searching for
nutrients, water and space.

These are the days, dear friends, when we grow. We stand together and we grow.

Side by side
Knees bent low
Eyes on Heaven
Hearts quietly open…

To hear Him speak,
“Well done.”

I close tonight with a passage from Ephesians 3. Written by Paul - a man who was no stranger to trials and tribulation.

Writing to dear friends…

He wrote to continually encourage. To seek out ways to love and bless. Considering others before himself.

“I pray that from his
glorious, unlimited resources
he will empower you
with inner strength
through his Spirit.

Then Christ will make
his home in your hearts
as you trust in him.

Your ROOTS will grow down
into God’s love and
keep you strong.

And may you have the power
to understand,
as all God’s people should,

how wide,
how long,
how high,
how deep his love is.

Then you will be made complete
with all the fullness of life and power
that comes from God.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:16-19‬ ‭

Thank you dear friends for joining me this past month. I pray your hearts may be blessed even as you bless others.

Much love
from our little world -
to yours…

Rooted in Him
The Cross of Christ my guide