"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands........" 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Where Roots Run Deep

There's a tree, out in the front yard, ...........an old mesquite, that is as old as I probably am.......even older.

As I work the grounds, I look up at it and think...........there is so much that it and I have in common. It stands, out here, in solitude......watching life, pass it by, yet it is in peace..............

that is how I feel...............

It has weathered the many storms in life.................some storms it saw coming............some it was attacked and surprised by. Once it was hit with a large bolt of lightening, hitting it so hard and splitting it to it's very heart and soul. Such a hard hit, how could it ever go on?.............Yet, it hung on, growing around it's wound, showing it's leaves even brighter.


I have known such storms in life. Not so long ago, life's painful bolt struck me by surprise, leaving my heart and soul,........... broken. The wound is still there,and the pain,............. if I go back and remember............however, when I thought this was the one thing I just could not bear, I did get through it, and time passed, and I once again smiled.




This tree has been host to many visitors and has had the sweetest little family growing within it's arms. Then it has watched the little ones, fly away, following the wind to another tree.............

I also, have watched my little ones grow..................

and leave.................


This old tree has seen new extensions of life grow out on it's limbs, while other limbs have fallen and died away..............
I, too, have seen babes born into my life..........and at the same time, I have lost precious family members along the way.

The outside of this old tree has become harder, from life's enviornment. Preparing it to not get so chipped by the hits and bumps that come along the way.

I too, have become "tough skinned" though life's lessons.





This old tree, no matter how hard life's winds blow, still stretches it's arms up to the heavens, never drooping.... ....never giving up..........
How I wish I could be that strong when life's burdens come weighing down on me.........






Here it stands, facing the road that leads up to our home. No matter what has come against it, no matter what it has weathered, it's roots still run deep, not willing to give up and run. Ready to face each new day, with what ever storms life has in store. Waiting for the sweetness of family to come back to visit..........showing it's love and joy, by sprouting new leaves each spring.
I, too, often look down the road.....hoping for that "someday" when the ones who flew away, will fly back in for a short visit.........
Knowing that storms will also come for me to weather out.......
and always enjoying the new day that has been given to me. I will let my roots run deep, I will stand and face what I have to in life..........and I will enjoy the sweet rewards along the way.








28 comments:

grammy said...

What a great post
very profound writing
sure makes me think
I haven't been reading you long enough to know what the tragedy in your life was. Sounds recent...I am sorry you had to go through that hardship
I always enjoy you coming by to visit and leaving me a comment

Lisa @ Life with 4! said...

wonderful post, Kathleen!
Bless you.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

What a beautiful post, Kathleen! Yep, been there, too. But God is faithful. He always helps us to get back up and go on.

Anonymous said...

Nice analogy. God is good, isn't He? Bless you dear friend.

Julie Harward said...

WOW...THIS WAS VERY BEAUTIFUL AND ALL SO VERY TRUE. I AM THIS TREE TOO, HAVE LEARNED MANY LESSONS IN LIFE AND I KNOW THERE WILL BE MORE. THANKS FOR SHARING GREAT THOUGHTS IN SUCH A BEAUTIFUL WAY! THEN I THINK OF THAT POEM ABOUT "FOOT PRINTS IN THE SAND"..I KNOW HE CARRIES US IN OUR HARDEST OF TIMES. COME SAY HI :D

Linda said...

Such beautiful and true thoughts. Are we not all a tree in some stage of life...with one Creator....blessings to you dear Kathleen...hugs, Linda

Nancy M. said...

What a great comparison! As long as we have Him we can weather those storms!

Connie said...

What a lovely post and analogy, Kathleen. Very well written. We all have those storms to weather, don't we. Hugs to you.

Narelle said...

This is such a beautiful post, I love it and it has given me great encouragement. Thanks for sharing :) Narelle
xox

Jody Blue said...

Such a lovely post. It is true that many times from the things we think will break us comes a brightness and beauty not known before. Thanks for sharing!

TxFarmhouse said...

Wow, you need an award for that post...and I'm not kidding! That was awesome!
Berte

Green Gal said...

Great metaphor and post! Love it.

Grammyof13 said...

Kathleen, what a way to illustrate life. You have done great in showing us your life through this writing, yet we all have to say you are talking about me.
I've really lost touch with your children. We haven't talked in awhile. We need to get caught up again via e-mail.
Blessings and Love,
Grammyof13

Lanny said...

Excellent post!

Vickie said...

Kathleen,

This is profound. You really have a gift for writing and bringing home a great lesson. What a wonderful analogy. I know you have touched all our lives today. I know, too, that those roots you talked about are grounded in faith in God and it is those very roots that brought you through your challenges. May He bless you richly as you have blessed me.

KathyB. said...

Oh so very beautifully and thoughtfully written from your heart. The parallel of your heart to the tree is so apt, and the tree is a thing of weathered beauty. Thank-you Kathleen!

peggy said...

You have a gift Kathleen, not just writing, but understanding, and encouraging others (like me). Thanks so much for everything.

Latane Barton said...

What a neat analogy. You and the tree. Thanks for the post. It really made me stop and think about my surroundings.

LindaSue said...

Wonderful post - bless your heart - we all should have such deep roots as a sturdy West Texas mesquite - or a bible believing God trusting West Texas woman!

Anonymous said...

that last photo is really cool.

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Kathleen,
This is such a beautiful and touching posting. The analogy of the tree with the storms we have in life is just fantastic writing. I'm sorry you went through that hardship, but God gives more grace to face whatever comes our ways. Lovely, lovely posting. It really blessed me.

Vintage Linen Treasures said...

Hi Kathleen,
That was a beautiful and very touching post. It brought tears to my eyes.
Patricia

The imPerfect Housewife said...

Have you ever read that book "The Giving Tree"? It makes me cry every time. It's so adorable, just like this post ~ ♥

Together We Save said...

That was beautiful!! Your words brought tears to my eyes.

DayPhoto said...

Beautiful! It is true that the hard parts make us better.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/

Teri said...

Beautiful analogy!!!

Unknown said...

I love the old tree... and your words of encouragement and strength.
Cheryl

Jen's Farmily said...

This is a great post. I, too, often wonder about the trees. What they've seen and been through.

It's amazing to me that they live for so long through so much!!