Roots

 

Yesterday for the first time in a long time I headed outside to pull weeds.  It was hot.  Too hot.  But the unwelcome little green visitors popping up between the red brick of my front steps were starting to hurt my feelings.  At first, I pulled absentmindedly aggravated at the heat and the task itself and the heat and the bugs and, did I mention, the heat?  But then I noticed that some of the little suckers were harder to pull than others, and when I stopped to pay attention, I marveled at how tenaciously some of the roots grew and reached for their life-giving source. Against all odds, a seed had somehow found itself in a tiny, mortared crack, sandwiched between unyielding masonry, and the roots of that plant stretched and strained and anchored themselves so that the leaves that were exposed and stretching for the sun could be beautiful.

We moved Cooper into his dorm at Auburn 19 days ago (but who’s counting).  Eight days later Grace had her last, first day of school.  We blinked, and she’s a senior.  And suddenly, as so many people seem to delight in reminding us, our “nest” is empty.    Now THAT will get you thinking (mainly because it’s quiet and there is SO MUCH LESS laundry to do and sometimes you can just have cereal for dinner and it’s ok which frees up SO MUCH thinking time).  And the “think” that has been most often on my mind is, “did we do everything that we could to make sure that they are ready for what comes next?”. 

And I think that’s why I paid such attention to those weeds.  Because that’s what it’s all about - giving them strong roots so that when they are exposed and stretching for the sun, they can be beautiful. 

So, once the weeds were eradicated and my body temperature returned to normal, I settled into my quiet, laundry-free nest, thanked the Lord for my little birds and then prayed for their roots. . .

That they never stop reaching for their heavenly Father, the ultimate life-giving source.

That they always remember where they came from and have the confidence, determination, and work ethic to get where they are going. 

That no matter what storms rage around them, they stay anchored in their faith, what is right and true, and our unwavering love.

That they stretch and strain and leave their comfort zone and look for ways to make this world better than they found it.

That when they are pulled in all different directions, they stay true to themselves.

That they remember that not everyone has roots that are cultivated and strong, so they should always, always be kind.

And that they find rest, shelter, and shade when they are weary and never, ever forget that they are beautiful.