Growing Strong Roots

     As I was driving to work this afternoon, I noticed something disturbing. On this particular road there were lots of older trees lining the road, but these beautiful, old trees were being trimmed down to the base, or the core of the tree, only a few limbs left, this tree looked beaten, defeated, if you will. 

     As a young child, I traversed this road on bike, as a new teenage driver, I drove on this road (yes, probably too fast), and now as an adult I frequent this road many times a day. Today, however, I noticed the trees, and I was feeling much like these trees today....very broken.

     When we are born, we start to take root in life, such as, our core values, family relationships, even our beliefs about ourselves. Continually growing, our branches start to grow in length and strength. Our branches may represent our trials, our experiences, our loved ones, education, goals, really anything that is you! 

     For me, some of my weak branches represent the many hats I wear....wife, mom, employee, friend, neighbor, caregiver. The stronger branches, are my experiences, trials, blessings, faith in God and a Savior. My roots are my beliefs in myself, my belief in a loving Heavenly Father, a Savior that sacrificed his life, so that I may repent for my many sins, and some of my roots are simply what I have been taught (good or bad).

     So, as I looked at these trees, I felt bad that they grew and grew, only to be cut to pieces by others. One tree, was chopped down to make room for power lines, another because it was hindering progress in a subdivision being built, and lastly, one was simply blocking a view. For me, a sad sight was set before me; as I looked at these strong rooted trees being brought to their "knees," I thought, "what a waste of a life!" However, as I looked further, something clicked in me....it didn't matter how many limbs have been cut from these trees, they were still standing, beaten and tired from wear, but still standing! 

     Last night, Chris and I were awake most of the evening. Chris was unable to sleep due to blood running from his nose, down his throat. Chris had blood all over himself, and I finally got him to sleep. Six o'clock a.m. came only moments later, time for my other branch, or hat, being mom. The kids were off to school, so back to caretaker hat. Things with Chris are so demanding, any wrong move on my part impacts him, and today what should I do? Chris is bleeding, but I am told to control it, Chris now won't wake up, but my other hat, employee, is starting soon! Which branch do I choose to chop? 

     During my life, some of my branches have been snapped off by others, some have been patched, and lifted up by loved ones. Some of my branches are decaying from addiction and negative self-talk. Sometimes, I think our tree can be full, other times stripped down to the core, exposed to pain, but other times our tree is blooming with blessings!

     For me, today is tough, it is tough to watch my sweet husband battle this trial in life. Our families roots can, and will be strong, grounded in a knowledge of eternal families, a knowledge of life after death, and our love for each other. Last, but not least....my children are three of my strongest roots, and with them I cannot fall!