Chapter 38
Good Monday Morning to this new week of 2024
They are like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:3
Yesterday, I went for a hike, and during the first hour, I walked downhill through a forest. The trail was full of exposed roots—washed bare by water and rain, leaving much of the dirt gone. I’m used to navigating rocky trails and have a sense of where to place my feet. But this time, walking over the roots was tricky. My hiking boots, designed with hard rubber for gripping rocks, kept slipping on the roots. Thankfully, I made it down safely without slipping too much.
We often hear how having “roots” is healthy and good. It’s a strong metaphor. Yesterday, I saw plenty of roots—but I found myself wishing they had stayed underground! Isn’t that a meaningful metaphor for this new week? We need strong, deep roots, but they don’t always need to be visible. They can stay hidden, doing their work beneath the surface. Many things in your life establish a firm foundation, deeply rooted but unseen. If they become too visible, they could turn into stumbling “root” for others.
An interesting thought as we step into this new week.
Wishing you a great start,
Philemon