Rising from the Depths Below
We recently went on a mini get a way to the south. We had the opportunity to view many beauties of this earth. This photo has been on my mind as of late.
All too often, I have heard comments about how hard life is, that life would be better only if, that it is not one's fault how they turned out, because the were placed in a bad place from the beginning. I struggle with some of the excuses, mine included.
When I saw this tree, I thought of the parable of the sower. Some seeds were placed in good soil, others in bad. Some hit hard ground, others soft. The questions what became of them. We know some whithered, some were eaten or plucked from the ground. Others were trampled under foot, or discarded for lack of beauty or fruit.
How many years do you think this tree has struggled. We see it in the wild, in a canyon filled with sand and stone. From what I can see, there is not much direct sunlight. We were in a dessert valley that sees rain, but not much, yet this tree grew. It roots were established. It had to work hard to get where its branch saw the blue sky.
I began to wonder if I would work this hard to rise from the depths. Would I find the strength from deep with in to stretch beyond the apparent challenges. How about you?
This tree stands alone. There are no other trees to hang out with, race, challenge, or reach out to for support. By itself, it had to create and find its only holy ground to grow from. It stands as a witness that everything is possible if the proper attitude, effort, and time are spent. I don't think it ever gave up.
We can learn a great deal from it. It does not matter where you are, what challenges are placed before you, or how small and insignificant you may feel, you can rise above. You can grow tall and straight. You can reach the heavens, if you but try.
All too often, I have heard comments about how hard life is, that life would be better only if, that it is not one's fault how they turned out, because the were placed in a bad place from the beginning. I struggle with some of the excuses, mine included.
When I saw this tree, I thought of the parable of the sower. Some seeds were placed in good soil, others in bad. Some hit hard ground, others soft. The questions what became of them. We know some whithered, some were eaten or plucked from the ground. Others were trampled under foot, or discarded for lack of beauty or fruit.
How many years do you think this tree has struggled. We see it in the wild, in a canyon filled with sand and stone. From what I can see, there is not much direct sunlight. We were in a dessert valley that sees rain, but not much, yet this tree grew. It roots were established. It had to work hard to get where its branch saw the blue sky.
I began to wonder if I would work this hard to rise from the depths. Would I find the strength from deep with in to stretch beyond the apparent challenges. How about you?
This tree stands alone. There are no other trees to hang out with, race, challenge, or reach out to for support. By itself, it had to create and find its only holy ground to grow from. It stands as a witness that everything is possible if the proper attitude, effort, and time are spent. I don't think it ever gave up.
We can learn a great deal from it. It does not matter where you are, what challenges are placed before you, or how small and insignificant you may feel, you can rise above. You can grow tall and straight. You can reach the heavens, if you but try.
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