A Root Out Of The Ground

Many times I wonder, why things just stop me as I walk? Why do they move me to take a picture? Why, when it seems there’s no reason, no purpose, no clue, yet the sight hollers at my heart?

I’ve learned to take the picture anyway. The reason, the purpose, the meaning will come. And when one of these or all three flow to me, I will then ask the Lord to guide me to the picture to express what is bubbling within me.

At other times it’s the picture which jumps from the collection of photos and it moves me to write a phrase or two.

There’s something beyond my understanding that tugs at my spirit and connects me with the picture then words begin to flow from somewhere in my soul.

Even though I know this, I still wondered why the root of this tree stood out to me. It seemed like a toenail of giant beast. What’s so appealing about it? Why was I moved to take a picture? Who, if anyone, would find it pleasing to look at?

I ask God why did He lead me to take this picture? What’s the message that I need to hear? What do I need to write regarding this idea of an exposed root? Is there a verse to point me to a truth?

God never fails. He never fails to lead me to an answer. Never!

Isaiah 53:2

“He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of the ground.”

What I read left me in awe. I knew whom the verse described. I knew who the words were about. It was my Lord. My Savior. I love how God answers.

So I read the rest of verse.

“He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.”

I was blown away by what I read. Because that’s how I felt regarding the picture of the root when I took it. I honestly didn’t find it attractive at all. I told the Lord. I see no reason or beauty or uniqueness that makes this root stand out. But I will obey. I quickly took the picture and walk away.

Something tickled my interest after I took several steps away from the root. I turned around and took the picture of the mossy roots which led to the tree. I did find the roots intriguing. I knew something interesting will come from that photo.

Wanting to understand where the Lord was leading me with this post, I went and read more of Isaiah 53.

Verse 3

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”

God in a manner of speaking, unearth his Son slowly to man’s heart. In time, he revealed his heart to those who needed compassion, answers, meaning and guidance. He sent his Son as a lowly person not as a high branch from a towering tree.

Jesus came to us with a humility of understanding rejection, sorrow, loneliness. People stumbled of who He really was, for they were expecting a king. Jesus began to build his roots in peoples hearts with the lowly and grew into other hearts

He became the tree of life pointing to the one and only true God, His Heavenly Father, our Heavenly Father.

Just like these exposed roots reveal their source, the giant evergreen tree, so did Jesus Christ reveal the source of whom sent Him.

Jesus came with a great message that brought physical, emotional and spiritual healing. And He still has that power today through His Holy Spirit.

Like an evergreen tree, Christ will forever be with us. Therefore, let’s not reject, despite or deny Him today. Together in heart, in worship, in sharing let’s esteem him every day of our life.

From an unattractive root on my walk, I am reminded that God never waist a thing. All things have a purpose. They’re there to point to a greater truth. Let’s be the source for others and point them to the truth of a forgiving Love.

I will continue to listen and obey to what moves me and stops me to take pictures. For I know a purpose from a Higher Power has a reason for its existence.

They’re there to point all of us to the source of our existence, the existence of God.

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A Sunrise Relationship Connection

“Grandpa at what time will we see the sun?”

“Well Grandson, it depends where we are standing.”

The grandson blew into his cupped hands, then asked, “What do you mean?”

“You see, if you stand far from the mountains, like we are now, we’ll see the sun sooner. But, if we were at the base of those mountains, we won’t see the sun until it cleared their peaks.”

“But Grandpa, Nana said that the sun rises at the same time.”

Grandpa patted his grandson on the head, chuckled and then responded, “Nana is right. The sun rises at a specific time every day. But if a mountain is right before us, it will block the sun from our sight.”

“Oh, I see.” The grandson cuddled in his own coat as the Alaska’s cold, morning air touched his skin. He then releases a deep sigh.

“What thoughts are you wrestling with, grandson?”

“I was wondering, if the reason why my parents can’t see God like we do, is because of where they are standing.”

His grandpa wraps his arm around the Grandson’s shoulders, “You are wise for an eight-year-old.”

“Grandpa, you’re the wise one, for you bring me out here where God teaches man about him and ourselves.”

“How did you arrive to this conclusion?”

“By watching and listening to you.”

“Hmmm.” Grandpa remain quiet for a while before releasing a deep breath.

The grandsons watched the cloud of breath float up and reshaped itself until it vanished from sight.

“Grandpa, did you just tell God a prayer?”

“I did.”

“What did you pray for?”

“That you and I will have many more mornings to witness the sunrise. And, for you to keep reminding me of the important things one must do. I also asked the Lord to help me stand where I will always see God so that He can shine through me.”

“I will ask the same things.” The Grandson released three puffs of breath and watched them transformed shapes as they floated to the heavenly sky. “Grandpa, the sun!”

Grandpa moved away from the rail, took the keys of the truck out of his pocket and told his Grandson, “the sun rays have spread making this Grandpa and Grandson connection time, extra special. Now let’s go to the mountains and explore.”

Tuesday Photo Challenge by Dutch goes the Photo ~ Connections

In Love With The Sea

With your sways you sooth my soul to near you

With your roars you entice my heart to feel you

With your rolling waves you engulf me to be with you

With your gentle release you leave me wanting you more

Cloudy With a Chance of Change

Which clouds do your eyes focus on when you travel?

Is it the darkest ones in the far distance gathering for a storm, or the ones above you ready to release their showers, or the one drifting above the grown, soon to vanish before you draw near?

For me? It was the whitest one of all. It drifted low, rapidly changing, becoming smaller the closer my husband drove around the bend.

Clouds fascinate me. They deliver more than destruction or harm when they release the rain. They provide what’s needed for change to occur.

One day, maybe tomorrow or next spring, change will be seen. Not just by the new growth, but by the maturity and strength of how the tree, the bush or the vine endured the dark, heavy clouds that soon would appear.

The Majesty of Nature

EAGLE RIVER, ALASKA

When the view is this pristine, its beauty runs through my veins bringing life into my heart, tugging my spirit and awakening my soul.

Suddenly, I, the me inside, can finally breath deep as I stretch my spirit to the heavens yawning my worry away from my soul to the only One who is in control.

Enchanted I Dreamed

ENCHANTED I DREAMED

 

From as far as the cloud cover mountains tops,

to the grass below my feet,

I desire to not only see,

but to embrace every part of thee,

Alaska, you’ve enchanted me.

 

Earthquake Park, Anchorage Alaska 8-13-18

River of Life

Life grabbed me by the seat of my pants, placed me on a boat in the middle of a river with no paddles or motor.

Cold rainy days and nights I’ve experienced with moments where I felt as if I was drowning.

Then the sky clears and the sun shines and God’s glory is seen.

When moments like this come my way, I smile as I float by.

Slowly I close my eyes as the view vanishes out of sight.

I then savor the moment, guarding my memory in my heart, for I don’t know what lies on the other side of the river’s bend of tomorrow.
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Selfless Kindness

Simple small acts of pure kindness

purifies the heart from anger, bitterness and revenge. LH

I Am what I Am

KEEP IN MIND TODAY AND EVERY DAY ~ “One individual life may be of priceless value to God’s purpose, and yours may be that life.” My Utmost for His Highest Nov. 30

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect . . .” 1 Corinthians 15:10

I am what I am, in Christ.

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TENER EN CUENTA HOY Y TODOS LOS DÍAS ~ “Una vida individual puede tener un valor inestimable para el propósito de Dios, y la tuya puede ser esa vida”. Mi máximo para su más alto Nov. 30

“Pero por la gracia de Dios, soy lo que soy, y su gracia para mí no fue sin efecto …”. 1 Corintios 15:10

Soy lo que soy, en Cristo.

 

Go Ahead be Green ~It’s a sing of new growth

 

Illumination comes when a source of Light shines in the crevasses of our heart exposing narrow thinking, shallow ways and stubborn blocks.

Once a heart’s change has occurred the greens of growth will be brightly seen.

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La iluminación llega cuando una fuente de Luz brilla en las grietas de nuestro corazón y expone el pensamiento angosto, las formas superficiales y los bloques obstinados.

Una vez que ha ocurrido un cambio en el corazón, los verdes del crecimiento se verán brillantemente.