Reach

"People say what they THINK but do what they BELIEVE"

Xman had virtual classes this morning so Peanut and I ventured out for a bit to gift him a quiet house. 

As we walked at one of our local favorites, we came upon this tree. 

The tree is growing OVER the rock. The roots had to reach for the ground. 

As Peanut and I pondered the history of the tree, a master gardener came over and offered to share with us the story of the tree. 

The tree was actually grown in a nursery and then moved to the garden. 

The tree was planted in soil on the rock. Over time, the gardener removed soil to force the roots to reach out further. 

Until finally there was no soil above the rock, only beside the rock. 

I've been pondering this "poet's tree" they call it. 

One which had to work a lot harder to put down roots. One that had to reach. 

I feel like that's what the last year has done to us. 

Placed a large boulder between us and the soil. 

We can no longer rely on the ease of what once was. 

Now, if we want soil - we must REACH. 

We must SEEK it. 

If we want to be connected to others, to God, to ourselves - we must find a way for our roots to reach soil. 

The poet's tree has a fence around it because there is evidence of beavers trying to gnaw through the roots. 

Hard earned roots. 

Much like the gardener that built the fence, we may need boundaries to protect our newly planted roots. 

We may need to decide who gets inside our fence. What gets inside our fence. 

Mama Warriors, your roots need soil. 

Good soil. 

Nourishing soil. 

If pandemics, politics, relationships, anything - has your roots without soil, I challenge you to start reaching. 

Soil will not come to you if you don't seek it. 

REACH.