A Tree Proverb

Long into a serious and frustrating conversation about faith, my husband pointed at a familiar tree in the yard. It’s been there for decades longer than we’ve been alive.

“How does the tree stand?” he asked. I knew the question was loaded. I also know him; he won’t answer until I do.

“It’s weight. And it’s roots.” I said with a bit of snark.

“Show me,” he replied.

Flustered, I went searching for a root. Stubbing my foot on one, I pointed down, exclaiming “here!”

“That’s it?” he asked.

“What are you getting at?” I replied impatiently.

We’d been talking lately about God’s will in circumstances that didn’t make sense. I was frustrated with what seemed to me to be a lack of God’s provision.

My guy had been responding with some of my least favorite phrases.

He’d used dreaded sayings like “wait,” “be patient,” and “trust the Lord is still working.”

I sensed this tree was about to reinforce what I didn’t want to hear…and I was right.

He grinned.

“There’s a root system under this tree bigger than the top of the tree. I know because I’ve dug in this yard. We don’t get to see most of what supports this tree.

In fact, if it wasn’t familiar, you’d be confused about how it can stand, especially through storms and winds.

It looks impossible for that tall, top-heavy thing to be so sturdy. But it gets what it needs and is firmly secured by provision we only get tiny glimpses of.”

Sighing, I acknowledged the Lord’s provision is much like that. Reluctantly I stopped to marvel with my guy at the Lord’s way.

I think people are evidence of God’s below-the-surface work too.

People are often representative of defying what appear to be impossibilities and improbabilities.

Statistically, some of us were more likely to deal drugs than to share hope with teenagers. Some of us befuddle doctors with the recoveries we make against all odds, or the ability to live a happy life while in constant pain.

Though we often only get glimpses of the extensive support He offers to keep us upright and help us grow, the evidence is undeniable when we look at what we can see.

Thank the Lord we witness His testimony in each other and His creation.

He works in the hidden and the intangible. He is the maker, the preserver, and the sustainer.

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