Our house was built in 2007 and has landscaping to match. There were no trees when we moved in, no plants or even grass to take root. It was as new as we were, and as our lives have been dug up, turned over, moved, and replanted, so has our landscape. First it was small shrubs, then flowers, then trees. Finally, trees. My heart craved something with deep roots that would grow as we grew and weather the storms. If budgets had allowed, we would have purchased huge, mature oaks, sturdy and strong.
Instead, we started with what we could. Small trees with big intentions. Promises on hang tags of beautiful fall colors, quick growth, and impressive stature. Standing amid the other trees at the nursery they seemed to tower. Planted in our yard, alone in a large open space, they seemed dwarfed by fields and sky.
As our family has grown, so have those trees. They’ve been here as long as we have. They’ve seen winters and springs. Birth and struggle. These trees of ours? They have yet to reach their promised “impressive” height. But they stand firm, reminding me every day that – although I might not see the growth or the depth of the roots – there is life yet to be lived, heights yet to be reached. And though this season is one of falling leaves and barren branches, new life – and new growth – are just a few seasons away.
I’m linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker for Five Minute Friday today. If you’re visiting from her site – welcome! If you’re a “regular,” I’d love for you to pop over to Lisa-Jo’s page and visit some of my friends. They write good, brave words over there in 5(ish) minutes each week 😉
Love your picture, Crystal! Growth surely takes time. Bless you friend!
so thankful for the hope that grows with season of walking with the Father – these lines drew me to that reminder – thank you for writing this. “But they stand firm, reminding me every day that – although I might not see the growth or the depth of the roots – there is life yet to be lived, heights yet to be reached. And though this season is one of falling leaves and barren branches, new life – and new growth – are just a few seasons away.”
As I am slowly moving to the complete empty nest era I began to wonder what was next…if this was it, all that there is but you have encouraged me that I still have “life yet to be lived, heights yet to be reached” Thank you for all you do to speak life into this community.
Thanks so much Chandra!
God does tend to use nature to remind me of His promises…and to keep me looking up 😉
Kids, trees, ourselves…yep…there is satisfaction there 🙂
Some things just take time to grow into themselves 😉
Thanks girl!
One of my biggest struggles is patience…but God is revealing that we grow strong when we stand firm and wait on Him to do the work 🙂
Thanks so much!
You’re sweet…and yep, Allume! Beyond worth the money, I love them 🙂
I love your new pic! Allume?
I love this, Crystal!
Deep roots, new growth, new life. Beautiful sentiments, Crystal. And a great reminder to be patient while God is growing what he needs to in each of us.
Love this… oh so much!
You can’t rush a tree, can you? Great post!!!
It’s hard to be patient when we see how dwarfed our efforts seem to be. This is a good word today, friend. I’ve gotta say, it’s hard for me to comprehend being in one place that long. I have gone by an old house and have seen a small tree that I planted reach wide and high. There is satisfaction in watching something grow, isn’t there? 🙂
I love how trees changing with each season remind us to take courage through all of life’s seasons. I think maybe God understood that our human minds and hearts would need reminders like this, to remember that He is faithful always and unchanging even when our lives seem upended sometimes.
Thanks for this reminder, Crystal. “there is life yet to be lived, heights yet to be reached.” Too often, I forget to be like a tree, planted, taking root where I am instead of longing for the next season of life. Loved your post!