Rooted

Words for the Soul in Hard Seasons

Rooted

On Difficult Seasons

Hello, dear reader friends!

I know that many of us continue to endure what I would describe as challenging seasons. In fact, I think much of life can be categorized this way! So when we DO get to experience the wonderful quieter seasons and “mountain tops” of life, we end up truly grateful.

Grief resurfaced for me this past week amidst the muddy spring weeding. It’s been the persistent shadow I’ve attempted to ignore, refusing to leave since last fall.

Furthermore, my ongoing sinus treatments haven’t yielded many positive results, prompting me to revisit my approach to managing it. Battling a lingering infection drains both physical and emotional well-being. I find solace in God’s promises to meet us in our weaknesses—not that I’m happy about them, but that in them He offers his strength to replace ours:

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

(2 Cor. 12:10), ESV.

This weekend, I had the opportunity to attend a Women’s Retreat organized by our church ladies. Initially, I contemplated canceling due to my physical limitations. But I didn’t want to miss out! I knew God would meet me there. I needed the spiritual lift it would provide, so with the support of friends, I decided to attend.

Retreat

Just as anticipated, it was an incredible blessing to connect with over a hundred cherished sisters in Christ from our church. We engaged in worship, meaningful discussions, and foggy walks by the lake. I am truly grateful for pushing myself to participate. Our leaders demonstrated God’s love by providing exceptional care and appreciation for each of us.

God met me there, as He usually does in His own unique way for each of us. Each table had a designated group leader who had chosen a specific word and verse to serve as the focus for their table’s discussions (such as “Abide” or “Renewal”). My placement for the weekend small group was at the “TRUST” table, serving as a reminder to trust God to guide us through these difficult seasons (see Proverbs 3:5-6).

The swag bags carried various words, including “Courage,” “Strength,” and “Fearless.” Mine bore the word “LOVED” accompanied by the verse, “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19).

Throughout the weekend, the speaker consistently emphasized the importance of seeking guidance from the Word of God, encapsulated in the holy scriptures. A small mirror within my bag read the word BLESSED, and the reminder verse “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD!” (Psalm 119:1.)

Home today, I am recovering from the energy expended during the retreat. However, I am filled with gratitude for those who worked so hard to provide it, and for having attended (see the worship song!)

"Rooted" Retreat

Funny Story

I wanted to share a poem that I composed last week. I tried to post it on Friday before my departure, but due to a series of unfortunate events, most of the post was lost and unrecoverable. Or so I thought! Consequently, I assumed that it was not meant to be published that day, or in that way.

Today, I’m back to rewrite and send the post, but I can’t help but laugh. First of all, I found the old post after I’d rewritten the new one, by scrolling WAY down (you almost got to read this post twice!) But this gave me room to write about the retreat.

Second, I had named this poem “Rooted” before I recalled the name of our retreat this past weekend: “Rooted Through the Seasons.” I had even picked out the tree picture above! That’s both amusing and intriguing—perhaps my subconscious remembered this, but I didn’t make the connection until now. (God, of course, knew all along. :) )

Every year, the garden has something to say to my soul. Last year, it was “Are You Grounded?” So, here’s a quick poem from last week to remind us of the importance of staying “rooted” in God, reinforced to me during our weekend retreat:

Rooted

Roots that grow deep
Are never cheap

Drenched often 
With tears that seep

Fertilized by
Ancient Words

The narrow path
So often steep

Let my roots
Strengthen and grow

Beyond what 
I can know--

And root in You
The Giver of Life

Amidst the current
Tide of strife

Loosen my soil
For deeper growth

For I need You when
Gusty winds blow

Anchor me
Through every storm

Then away from you
I won’t be torn

And may a mature 
Flower form

As always, in You
I am reborn.

More Roots:

(Funny how many pictures I have of roots!)

Roots!

What do you do to stay rooted through the grief and storms of life?

For Worship:

God I’m Just Grateful for You—Elevation Worship & Chandler Moore

*Photo credit: Jeremy Bishop from Unsplash