She Lives Encouraged

A week ago on Friday, we Californian’s got some rain. And let me tell you, nowadays, any water from heaven that falls on our soil is reason enough to have a party. And it wasn’t just a little light sprinkle, I’m talking about dumping buckets of water all at once.

During this rainstorm, while driving home in my neighborhood, I noticed the palm tree lined avenues that lead to my home.  These palms trees are so very tall like soldiers at attention as their Captain walks by.  And during this storm, those trees were boasting their strength like Bing Crosby sings “…the orange and palm trees sway…” – these trees were definitely swaying in the rain and wind that day.

I grew up in a church in East Los Angeles, where the street is lined with palms trees as well (yes, it’s a California thing…and I love it!).  All the palms trees stand strong and straight, but there is this one palm tree that leans way over (see pic below). And as a child I always thought “that tree is going to fall” and concerned if it would reach the houses across the street!

What still comes to mind is how long have these palm trees been living? And how many storms have they stood through?

Last week I shared with you some of the “storms of life” that I went through.  We all go through them, don’t we? And you’re right…it’s a part of life. But let me ask you: What gets you through them? What keeps you going? How do you withstand the storm when it’s coming at you on all sides like a fierce hurricane?

I learned a bit about the palm trees, and let me tell you, they taught me something that I need to dig into. And I hope you join me.

Now, I’ll tell you right now and you can ask my whole entire family, I am very far from being a horticulturist so much that I do not even have a “green thumb”, but here is what I learned about these tall upright trees.  The palm trees are very different from other trees like the oak or elm due to their root system.  To put it simply, the palm has a fibrous root system that goes deep (and I mean deep).  If you were to cut a palm tree in half, you’ll find that it has a bunch of brown spots, not rings like an oak that tells us its age. These brown spots are like veins (think of a celery stick) that are connected to the root system; these veins are feeding the tree from its roots all the way to the very top. Everything at the top of the tree is connected to the deepest root.  So because of these strands and roots, the palm tree is able to withstand and bend thru any fierce storm.

I want to be like the palm tree! How about you?

In 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 it says, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…”  These verses are so promising when we go through trials and where our faith in the Lord is tested.  We get hit on every side, but the promise of we are “not crushed…not driven to despair…not forsaken…not destroyed” is fabulous!! (Cue the Rocky Theme soundtrack)  Seriously, though, those words alone strengthen me because they are God’s promise to us! No matter what you face…you are not going down. (Always remember that God keeps His promises so mark that one down). Just like the palms trees, though they are blown and sway in the storm…they remain standing. But how can we withstand the storm like the picture of the palm trees above?

Let’s ask these questions of ourselves:  How deep are my “roots” in the Lord and His word? How or what are my “roots” feeding me? Is my outward life “connected” to God’s word?

First, we need to dig deep into God’s word…that’s how we get our “roots” going and growing. Psalms 1:2 says, “But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night.” It’s time for us to pick up the Bible..open it and read it.  Maybe you haven’t read it in a long time, or perhaps, life is so busy there’s just isn’t enough time. Trust me, I know. I have been there. And at times, it can be a struggle because life gets so busy. But it’s time to make some room for time spent with the Lord and His word. We get distracted by all the things we need to do, but last week I mentioned we need to get distracted with God. You can do it. Don’t be ashamed, God is FULL of grace…He’s waiting for us to spend time with Him.

My dishwasher broke a couple of weeks ago and my first thought was the anguish and dread in an added chore of hand washing dishes…for a family of five. I immediately went out to buy paper plates and cups. I know…I’m terrible. However, you can’t avoid having to wash pots and pans and other dishes that must be washed. When I look out my kitchen window while washing dishes, I see the rows of palm trees and I am reminded of the Lord helping me stand through my trials.  As I look out my window, and see the beautiful sunrises and sunsets, it reminds me of His love for me and I think on His word that I’ve read that day. Yes, even washing dishes and looking out the window can help us “meditate” or ponder on what the Lord has given us for this day. Washing my dishes give me time to pray to the Lord, talk to Him about all the things in my heart and my mind. My friends and coworkers who told me washing dishes is so therapeutic…you are absolutely right! No more paper plates!

When you take that time in the day or the evening, and you dwell on His word…you remember through the day the scripture you read. And as you remember it, that is exactly what gets you through the storm. God alone and His word. You see, the top of the palm tree is connected to what’s rooted deep underground. You become a living example that others see of weathering the trials in strength, not in defeat.

As you dwell on His word day and night, then come the beautiful results in Psalms 1:3 – “They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.  Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” I am guilty of many plants withering and drying up while under my care (I told you I don’t have a green thumb, though I try)…and the leaves dry out and are easily blown away when the slightest wind blows. But what a beautiful picture of what we become when we rely and dwell on His word…like a tree whose “leaves never wither” and are prosperous in all we do.

Jeremiah 17:7 says,“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.”  My friend, let me assure you that during our trials, we need to put our trust in the Lord…He becomes our hope…He is our confidence, not ourselves.  For when we do this Jeremiah 17:8 says, “They will be like a tree planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” This sure sounds like our palms trees by the water and its roots reaching deep (look at that picture below). They are never bothered…no matter the heat or drought. No matter what comes their way, they still stand…tall and strong.

Let me encourage you to let the roots of your faith grow deep in God’s word that feeds your heart, mind and soul that is connected all the way outward to the top of our being like the palm tree…weathering whatever storm life brings us…standing tall and strong in God’s word. He is our hope. He is our confidence. He is our strength.