Stay rooted with God, and you will have a firm foundation!

God is everywhere

August 2025

If you have read some of my articles, you will notice that I can relate to God and His creation in various ways and forms. I have observed a woodpecker, a blind dog, songs from the 70s, Christian movies, messengers, and ESG scores are examples of where I obtain some of my ideas for articles.

How about God’s trees? Can I learn something about them and relate it to God and His wisdom for us?  The answer is, “Yes.” As I was sitting on the front porch of our house in the White Mountains, I observed the very tall ponderosa pine trees and the variety of much shorter trees across the road. It was very windy, and the ponderosa pines were swaying side to side many feet while the shorter trees stayed at a firm attention. 

The tall pines were old and well-established, with a strong root system that kept them firmly planted, even when God’s natural forces threatened them. Sometimes, the smaller, younger trees that were not as well established and firmly rooted would become uprooted (and die) when attacked by nature. As I watched the trees and what was happening, I could relate what they were going through to what I have gone through in my life. I could see my past as a youth, in both my secular and eventual Christian life, not being firmly rooted and at the mercy of stress and adversity that was prevalent in society, and the possibility that I could have been very easily uprooted and died. But, for the grace of God, I was spared, and I weathered the storm. 

To overcome the storms, trees must have a firm and well-grounded footing, and that comes from proper nourishment. As I looked back at my past, I remembered that I did not weather storms very well at all. Pain, uncertainty, suffering, and fear were constant when storms hit. However, when I finally accepted God as my Savior and gave my life to Him, things changed.  

The more I read the scriptures, the more I discovered the answers to how to obtain a firm, well-grounded footing, how to weather storms, and how to handle the stress of life. Through Jesus’ teachings, examples, and truths, I have been able to grow in my walk with Him, resist sin (not always), and be the person He created me to be.  God also allowed me to have the peace that goes beyond understanding (Philippians 4:6-7), even when it seems I may be uprooted. 

As my life continues to be met with challenges and failures, the one thing I can be sure of is that even though I have left Him at times, He will never leave or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”).  

I will continue to allow Him to be my rock (Psalm 18:2) and pray I have roots that go down deep into His foundation! —