This summer was a hot and dry one in Northeast Ohio. There were relentless, unforgiving temperatures in the 90’s day after day. A once-thriving lawn became brown from the scorching and arid summer. Although we looked ridiculous, most of us in my neighborhood strategically mowed our lawns where the persistent weeds continued to grow. But here’s an enigma, throughout the dog days of summer, the trees in my yard were still green and thriving. By looking at them, you’d think they received a perfect allotment of sunshine and rain. But we know better than that! Their secret is in the roots. The roots grow deep to keep the tree stable, to absorb water from the soil, and to get much-needed nutrients. For that reason, even in a drought, the tree remains healthy and continues to grow.
There’s a lesson for us here. We go through tough times too. Deadlines, pressures, bills, health issues, and challenges in relationships can make a season linger. What do we do when we’re searching for the rain but we’re standing in the fire? That’s when we go deeper to that place of absolute trust. Jeremiah 17:7-8 says, “But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. 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.” When trouble comes, and it surely will, we can stand firm because there is help available. Nahum 1:7, “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” So let’s learn a lesson from the trees: when we go a little deeper it will take us a little higher.
It’s that time of year when many of us are thinking about going back to school. As a teacher, I think about the kids who will be entering my classroom; they’ll come in all shapes and sizes and with various abilities and personalities. This reflection reminds me of a new boy that entered my room one year who had trouble with his speech and was challenged with making friends. We had an indoor recess one day and every child ran for their friends and began playing games. The new boy looked around at the gathered groups, saw no one gesturing to him, and quietly picked up the blocks and went to a corner to play alone. But then something beautiful happened. Zoe, a well-liked and friendly girl, left her group of laughing friends, crossed the room, and sat down by the new boy to play blocks with him the entire recess. Simply put, love is kind.