Wednesday’s Wisdom (10/17/01)

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“We can benefit from change. Anyone who has ever really lived knows that there is not life without growth. When we stop growing, we stop living and start existing. But there is no growth without challenge, and there is no challenge without change. Life is a series of changes that create challenges, and if we are going to make it, we have to grow."

~ Warren Wiersbe

But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.

~ Matthew 13:20-21

As part of my sun therapy today I decided I’d get some of my house plants ready for the winter. They had done a mighty good job of growing this summer in the bright southwest sun that floods the French doors in my kitchen. As I began knocking the plants out of their old pots and preparing them for a new home in a larger tabletop planting I discovered that some of them were way past their “up-grade” to larger surroundings. Their poor roots had begun to circle the bottom of the pot. They were definitely crowded…and stressed to continue to produce the energy that was needed to keep the foliage of the plant alive and healthy. It was then that I began thinking about earlier in my day as I read two different devotionals that had to do with ‘roots.’ As you know folks, that is a ‘heads-up’…God is speaking!

When I coupled those with my digging around with these roots, I really began thinking and listening to what I believe God was showing me. You know we are the product of the roots that we have placed in the ‘soil’ of our life. We can skim the surface…never really committing ourselves to any one thing in particular…just what ever seems fun and on the cutting edge of the new thing that’s happening. We can’t seem to commit to one person…or one job…or one focus. We just go along as the proverbial rock rolling along…gathering no moss. Ultimately, it ends up that you’ve not had to put down roots – not loyal to person, place, anything.

Or as the young tree that is growing on the steep slope within a wind blown valley we can begin early and place those roots down into the soil of life. We can begin with small steps in the direction of growth, often when the parent begins to teach the child…this is right…that is wrong…this is acceptable…that is unacceptable. We take the root a bit deeper when we allow the child to grow into making more and more of their own decisions…the friends the chose, the activities they are involved in…and the pattern their life is making.

Yet as any good gardener will tell you…when you repot a plant…you untangle the roots. Sometimes it’s necessary to nip or clip the tangled mass so that the plant will have more freedom to grow, and to develop stronger roots and lush foliage. We as parents are often required to do the same with our youngsters. We must nip some behavior in the bud before it becomes a character flaw. Sometimes we can see that certain behavior will lead to nothing but heartache and difficulty. With patience we must untangle those roots and allow the plant to once again grow outward and deep rather than circling the pot in that same tangled mess.

The first time I was shown by my mom how to untangle roots and actually chop at them it was a real shock. But in time I realized the plant was immediately better for the treatment. What I considered harsh…the plant actually needed. Separation from any situation is never without feelings of doubt, but when we can see the good ahead then we must persevere and go forward with the faith that this is a good thing. It is what the plant needs, just as it is what our children need…so that they can grown those tendrils of character that will establish them well on the slopes of life when the going gets rough…the wind begins to howl and pull at them. Yet they can and will succeed in the circumstance because someone cared enough to help them establish those deep roots in their life. Growing with each new experience…and moving around obstacles in life that can either solidify the character within or crumble the fragile shell that merely covers the life.

I am sure most of us have had opportunity to help mold the character of one or more young person…our children, students, children of friends, church members, or places of community involvement. We can help these young folks develop the needed stamina for the journey ahead. Helping them to realize that today’s fun may not be the best root for tomorrow is always a tricky path…but you know folks I believe with all my heart that kids are great imitators of what they see. That’s where our daily walk is so very important. We are showing someone who’s watching exactly what is good and important in our life. Now that can be either good or bad…and you are old enough to figure that out. My rule is…”If I don’t want my children doing it…then why am I doing it?” We as the ‘adult’ in any given situation can and must remember that ‘little’ eyes are watching and probably someday will imitate. That should stop most of us in our tracks, right?

So as the winds of life blow through, and all of us know, they will blow through (it is merely a matter of time) but for those who have been preparing by sinking roots deeper and deeper into the faith and building character within, they know how and what to hold onto. GOD is the one SURE that will hold. HE is the foundation of our character and the rock of our faith. With GOD as the anchor in our life, how on earth could we possibly fail? And remember, failure in GOD’s eyes is not measured by earthly means. What GOD looks for when the winds blow and the going gets rough is not whether we look good to the world, but rather whether we hold onto what is good, right, and true.

That is the strength of character. Those are the roots that enable us to hold steady and overcome the trial. Friends, send your roots deep and be a good gardener this week. Help someone else to build good roots in character and faith. We never know from which direction the wind might come, but we can be prepared. Allow GOD to be your ‘soil’ for those deep and abiding roots!

Prayer - September 14, 2006

Most Gracious and Merciful Heavenly Father, we come to praise Your name and to say Thank You for Your loving kindness toward Your children.

Father, help us to remember our joy is Your joy when we come to sing and praise and worship!

LORD GOD, hear the prayers of Your people as they moan over losses and transitions that they are ill prepared for. Our hearts sometimes outweigh our sense of reason and understanding. Father, we quickly forget that it is wisdom and knowledge that leads us to greater understating…help us to remember that applies to all of our life, not just the sorting out of a solution to a checkbook error or an auto collision, but our spiritual journey.

Father, when we commit ourselves to Your wisdom and Your knowledge then we can begin to understand that while we may not totally understand the situation we can find peace in knowing that Your love and Your will is perfect. Father, open our eyes to see the magnitude of Your goodness toward us, and help us not to fret, but to fall on our knees in submission and prayer and simply call out to you “Thy will be done.” Father, when we trust Your perfect will we will never get second best, but will always receive the perfect. Father, thank You for the trust You place in us to be able to say with a joyful and humble heart…”Father, I don’t always understand, but I do always trust You.

Thank you LORD, Your mercies are plentiful and are enduring to each generation. We can only sing Your praises, and glorify Your name. We humbly ask that as we come LORD, You change our disobedient hearts into pliable hearts and may I always begin with “And begin with me LORD, begin with me”.

Amen and Amen.