Friday, May 01, 2015

On Oak Trees and Roots




This verse. I've been really enjoying Isaiah 61 lately and clearly had read this verse before. This was one of those times that it jumped out at me and lodged in my heart and mind though. I've been thinking about it a lot.

So when the chalkboard was recently bare, I decided this needed a feature there for a while. A day or two later, I sat down during my Quiet Time to really mull this over - here are a few thoughts that emerged:

- oak trees, especially here in the south, are massive, mighty, strong, old, BIG
- oak trees begin from such a tiny seed: the acorn
- the acorn is still visible after the tree has sprouted and begun to grow
- oak trees provide amazing beauty
- with limbs outstretched and up-stretched, they have a far reaching influence
- the one in our yard is a Live Oak {or Water Oak} which stays green year round
- they provide lots of cool shade and are life-giving
- they produce acorns and the gift of life
- consider the root system - the place where the tree receives nourishment and support




Having a large oak tree in our front yard, we are quite familiar with the sounds of acorns dropping, hitting our roof and skylights. It is a heaven for little squirrels and birds who have months worth of food over all these little gifts dropping from the tree.

A woodpecker was having a hey-day recently pecking at a dead branch sticking off one arm. There are frequently birds and squirrels in the tree. It is a place of life.

Because of all these acorns falling, we have baby oak trees all over. They are actually quite a nemesis as they are very difficult to pull out. Weeds will usually just pull out of the ground, but not baby oak trees. Even if you catch them "early" they are very difficult to pull and the larger it has grown the harder to pull.



But frequently when you do manage to pull one out, the acorn is still visible, you can see that it has split open and has a root growing down out of it and a miniature trunk growing up out of it.

When considering an oak tree and the beautiful picture there of raising my children to be strong, deeply rooted, with far reaching branches, life-giving, a planting of the Lord and for His glory and splendor is so, so inspiring and a lovely goal. This can only happen THROUGH Him and His strength!



So it dawns on me as another day begins that I am a gardener appointed by my Heavenly Father to tend and care for these tender shoots. To nurture this planting of the Lord, to cultivate, pull weeds, etc... 

And, I think of these verses also ~

Jeremiah 17:8, "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."


Colossians 2:6-7, "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

Ezekiel 31:7, "It was majestic in beauty, with its spreading boughs, for its roots went down to abundant waters."


Psalm 128:3, "Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table."

May the Lord raise up mighty souls useful to His Kingdom during our daily tasks of tending these young plants He has entrusted into our homes.



6 comments:

Lisa said...

Encouragement from you this morning brings some joy to my day!

Wendi said...

Love! As I read this a poem I learned as a child came to mind.

Acorns into Mighty Oaks
When I leave this world I hope
I leave a better place
Where deeds I've done
And paths I've trod
Have helped the human race;
Where seeds I've sown will blossom still
And trees I've planted grow
From acorns into mighty oaks I hope I've made it so.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for your encouragement!

One other thing I noticed about oak trees...

While the other trees are losing their leaves, the leaves of the oak tree remain into early winter -- unmoved by the heavy fall winds and rain.

Bevy @ Treasured Up and Pondered said...

Love this!!

thank you - for your "rooted" encouragement... may it be planted deep (in me!) and grow - forth!!

Yes!!

joeandkris513 said...

Thanks for this. I follow you always and have probably only commented once in 5 years. Great post and a good reminder that trees don't grow in a day. We just keep gardening and trust God with the results. Reminds me of 1 Corinthians 3:6-9.
I once heard- "The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. But the second best time is today." So, no matter the past, we get busy today for the Master in His field.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post, Monica. Isa. 61:3 has always been a favorite of mine...but you have explained it so beautifully. I love how you can dig out the truths of scripture!
You certainly did a BEAUTIFUL job of writing it on the chalk board too. You are a great artist as well as a great writer! Keep up the good work...Honey!
I love you, Grandma