That
person is 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 NIV
The river property to which we moved in 1988 was populated
equally by oak and poplar trees. When we moved away fifteen years later, only oaks
remained in our yard. While poplars spring up quickly, they do not put down
deep roots in sandy soil. Over the years, we watched the pretty but weaker poplars
succumb one by one to storms—leaving us with a mess to clean up each time. 
Our family in our yard in 1994. Already, most of the poplars had fallen, leaving the stronger oaks. Our daughter is seated on one of the poplar stumps.
An oak tree takes much longer to grow but sends its roots down deep, through the sand to the rich soil and moisture below. It stands firm against the storms and lives to a ripe old age. Later, it provides the more valuable wood for sturdy furniture and cabinets.
Another twenty years have passed, and still those oaks remain on that property. This visual has stayed with me, reminding me of the promises in this first chapter of Psalms. If I focus on what is above the surface, on what others see, I will never develop the strength I need for a fruitful, useful life. But when I allow my spiritual roots to grow deep by focusing daily on God’s ways and Word, I can be like that sturdy oak—unfazed by life’s tempests. Rooted and grounded in His love, so that I can share it with others even when difficulties come.
Question for Reflection: What habit can I form this year to make my roots grow deeper into God’s rich soil?
