“When the storm has swept by the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.”

Proverbs 10:25

All the wind this month saw our family picking up a record number of sticks in the yard. Our property contains several older, large trees, and some are quite messy when any amount of wind barrels through, Fortunately, we’ve only ever lost one tree due to weather and it was our weeping willow tree. After a storm about five years ago, we looked out our window to discover the tree completely toppled over. It looked like a giant flicked its forefinger and just tipped it over, roots and all.

Did you know the roots of a weeping willow tree are shallow? I didn’t know that until I saw the whole root system tipped on its side at the base of our weeping willow tree. “It’s no wonder the tree couldn’t stand,” I remember thinking, “it did not have deep roots.” Wide and shallow grow the roots of a weeping willow tree. This serves the tree and the environment well in the way of soil conservation. However, I couldn’t help to correlate that the only tree in our yard named after an emotional reaction was the only one we’ve ever lost in a storm.

I think the same principle applies to people. Some branch out and branch out some more, exploring what makes them “feel” exactly as they please, It’s not that they don’t put down roots, but rather that they spread out roots far and wide with the notion of never going deep. These people are often fascinating to observe. Like the beauty of a weeping willow tree, individuals who branch out far respond with gentle grace on life’s fair days. However, when the storms of life stir and the lengths of every tendril catch the blow one will wonder if they might topple over in the storm, losing any heights gained,

Perhaps an emotional response alone cannot support the challenge, and any beauty found in such a person becomes a tragedy. For when the storm comes that finally topples them down, beauty is dashed and the whole thing is pitied for having such shallow roots.

On the contrary, trees with roots deep and narrow reach for truth and fear little of toppling over. They recognize the natural pruning which takes place with each storm. People who dig deep for the truth and grow from the base of God’s Word stand firm, like these sturdy trees. When the wind stops blowing they still stand tall with the dead broken off to let new life grow fuller. The person rooted deep, in sure and solid ground, anticipates storms with great respect but no fear. They know pruning is coming but expect great growth in return.

I find myself often reacting to difficulty with emotion instead of truth. My first reaction isn’t always a ready Scripture or sacred prayer. More often, it’s my mind spinning a web of worry or typing out a frantic text. While those reactions catch the attention of passers-by, a reaction of truth acquires the attention of the One who will never pass me by. When I choose to base my reaction on the truth instead of emotion, I find an enduring strength assuring me that everything will blow over, and I will be just fine. Better than fine, in fact, pruned up and ready to grow fuller.

My willow tree is my gentle and beautiful warning to dig deeper into the truth today. Instead of distracting avenues of seeming fulfillment, I focus today on deep spiritual truths. For when the storm comes, I want to be found in the pruning and not in the ruining.