Roots

I gently squeeze the container around the starter plant and free the plant carefully from its constraints. In my hand, covered in dirt and grime, and looking like something from a horror flick, the thin roots wrap around each other and mass together.

These roots freed from the container seem fragile. They are precious. What happens with these roots will determine what happens to the plant. I know roots can be strong and immense. Roots can reach across the yard, wrap around underground pipes, break up sidewalks and streets. But these roots, new as they are, are delicate.

I realize that this is the only time I get to see my plant’s roots. They are not pretty. But they are vital; critical to the production of fruit. Without a healthy root system, the plant won’t grow and bear fruit. Appearances can be so deceiving. Without the “ugly” root, the “pretty” flower never blooms. The squiggly, swarming white roots remind me of intestines.

The members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we cloth with greater honor. I Corinthians 12:22

Once I have carefully planted my starter plants, there is a period of unseen activity. Nothing changes on the surface, but the roots are spreading out, reaching deeper, finding water and nutrients, establishing themselves. Have you ever heard something very inspiring that seemed to rumble around in your head for weeks on end before it ever produced any visible change in your life? That is the word taking root.

Letting God’s Word take root is an important step to bearing the fruit He wants. I need to be like Mary and “ponder these things in my heart.” (Luke 2:19). Too often, I jump to show off the new thing I have learned, without allowing it the time to develop a proper root system.

I tried for a while to “give to all you ask of you.” (Matt 5:43) Exhausting and impractical. My dollar bills here and there accomplished little and put me on every call list in the nation. Once I allowed to the verse to grow roots, it lead to a giving based more on the needs of those God had put before me, and less on my own interests. My giving became less corporate and more personal. I believe God has used the fruit produced to answer some very specific needs. I just needed to give it time to grow roots.

The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while and in a time of testing fall away. Luke 8:13

And just like the roots themselves, sometimes the root growing process is not glamorous. There can be some ugly battles underground between those roots and the dirt that was there. I need to do my part to help the roots grow. Give them time, water them regularly, protect them from predators. For me, that means spending time quietly thinking about what is growing, what it may look like in maturity, what hidden hard places are limiting its growth. Perhaps even offering an “ugly cry,” or two to water it.

There may even be a period of “root shock,” when the plant seems to regress once you’ve transplanted it. The new life, the new idea, is taking a little time to adjust to its new environment. I need patience – with the plant, with nature, with myself, with others. Because once the root establishes itself, the plant starts growing and wonderful fruit results.

As you therefore have received Jesus Christ as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith. Colossians 2:6

You have planted a new garden. Let the starter plants take root. Victory is on the horizon.

Betsy

Thank you for reading The Victory Garden. Thank you for subscribing to, following, and sharing these posts. I could not do this without your encouragement and support.

In Him all things were created. John 1:3