"the oak tree"

I am going to share with you today the message that was on a card that I received from my mom's medical office a few days before Curtis died. This card really encouraged me, and I hope it brings encourages you as well. 


"The oak tree.. a message of encouragement."


A mighty wind blew night and day.  it stole the oak tree's leaves away, Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark until the oak was tired and stark. But still the oak tree held its ground While other trees fell all around. The weary wind gave up and spoke,  'how can you still be standing, Oak?' The oak tree said, 'I know that you can break each branch of mine in two, carry every leaf away, shake my limbs, and make me sway. But i have roots stretched in the earth, growing stronger since my birth.  you'll never touch them, for you see, they are the deepest part of me.  Until today, I wasn't sure of just how much I could endure. But now I've found, with thanks to you, I'm, stronger than I ever knew." 




When I received this card, I begin to think about my roots, and how I knew I was firmly planted. I have prayed for so long that I would be like a tree planted by the water, that I will not be moved and I will not be shaken by anything that comes against me.  There have been days where I felt some of my branches snapped off, felt naked in the wind, with all my leaves blown away. Days where I have felt like if the wind kept blowing and thrashing me that surely I would just blow away. But my root system is strong. My faith is strong in the Father. This didn't come overnight. I keep saying over and over that trust and faith is a daily decision.  Roots don't grow deep in just a few days.  


This is a lifelong commitment that I have made to the Father. Every day, my roots grow a little deeper.  I want to encourage you today. The hurricanes may be blowing your tree, you may be standing naked in the gales, but know my friend, that your roots run deep. When you have been watered by God himself, and the SON has shined in your life, then you have what it takes to weather the storms.  Your root system is strong, the roots are deep. Draw from that fact, and know that no matter what comes against you, when you look way deep down, your roots in Christ will sustain and keep you. 


If you don't have these roots we are talking about, all it takes is making a choice to allow God to be able to start growing you and maturing you. Take one step toward the Father and He will meet you. I promise. 


Still Standing
Renae