It's a root thing!

One of the blessings of being a "city girl" married to a farmer, is that at 43 you can still be amazed at the things any farm kid figured out when they were 5.

For example, last week Kent commented as we were driving out of our driveway.

"Wow, see how green the corn looks? "

I wasn't entirely sure I saw a difference, but said, "Yeah?"  Just so I could hear what was behind the question.

"You can tell the roots have reached the fertilizer." replied the seasoned farmer.

I asked, "What do you mean, it reached the fertilizer?"

"When we plant the corn, the planter places fertilizer two inches under the seed, and when the seed grows and the roots hit the fertilizer, you notice a difference in the plant. It goes from a green/yellow color to a deep green." He explained. (I think he enjoys explaining these kinds of things to a "clueless one".

I found that particular piece of information fascinating. I mean, who thinks this stuff up? Whoever invented the machine that knows where to place the fertilizer to make the plants grow. Genius!!

As I have been pondering this new farm fact, I knew there was a spiritual application for me, there are  probably more than one. But this is the one that came to me today.

On Sunday, Trent shared with our church before his departure for Worldview Academy. www.worldview.org He shared from Psalm 139, and the portion that stood out to Trent is the one that I've thought about since Sunday.

   My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
     your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

So when I was "planted" God put the fertilizer within my reach, it would take me growing to reach it, but when I do, I shine forth the evidence of his work in my life. The evidence that, He knew all of my days before one of them came to  be.

I've also realized that the things that make my roots grow deep are quite often the things I am not ready to receive enthusiastically. They are sometimes things that look scary, ugly and uncertain, but then my roots hit the fertilizer. My roots hit the amazing presence of God that was always there, but there is a comfort and growth only He can give and it was there all the time. I just needed to stretch to enjoy this fellowship that came in a dark place.

Take mono for instance, I'm still learning things from that experience. I have no idea why that illness was my daily life for so long, but I don't spend much time thinking about that, because the fellowship that I found, when so much was removed, perhaps caused my roots to hit some new fertilizer. Amazing!!!

James reminded me of the mystery of trials and the outcome that is available to us.

James 1:2-4
 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,    because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.    Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

I think if perserverance were a color it would be green. Evidence that the roots are going deep and drinking in all that the Creator intended, so that in the end...nothing is lacking!!

God is so good that way, using my boy's departure and a baby stalk of corn to show me once again how BIG He is, how He has thought of everything!!