We amble down the boardwalk at the waterfront. This boardwalk winds through a coastal marshy reserve with native ferns, grasses, many beautiful species of Gums & a Koala habitat. The gums are in blossom at the moment, so we can smell their sweet nectar as we wander deeper into the undergrowth. The tide is receding from its high status, so the waves are gently lapping the shore beneath our feet where the boardwalk extends out over the water, covering the sand flats where the Ibis, Egrets & Sandpipers can be seen scouraging at low tide…it’s a beautiful warm Spring day…
As we wander along enjoying the beauty of this amazing water wonderland …we round a bend & just ahead through the foliage we catch a glimpse of a ghostly trunk protruding from the sea. I comment that this beautiful stately Gum, along with two others nearby sadly met their demise in a huge storm we had awhile ago. The ground literally was washed out from under them by the relentless crashing waves, causing them to fall not far from where they had once stood tall in their majestical splendor…
Then as we draw closer to the ghostly white trunks we notice something extraordinary has happened…there is new growth on two of the three that had fallen, although submerged in saltwater for up to 12 hours a day…a branch has started to take the shape of a new strong & thickened trunk out of the fallen one! It is flourishing in its new circumstances when all had seemed lost!
How can this be?
On further investigation as the tide ebbs, we notice that it’s roots extend from its fallen trunk & disappear into the solid earth of the shore, where it is obviously drawing the nutrients it needs to counteract being submerged in salt water!
This is such a poignant lesson…life storms such as betrayal, relationship breakdown, divorce, death of a loved one, loss of a job, cancer diagnosis, chronic illness or a dearly loved child making unwise choices can hit us at anytime & literally wash the ground out from under us causing our resolve to fall, leaving us feeling battered bruised & vulnerable. We may find ourselves submerged in a sea of life change that we neither welcome nor desire.
But if our roots have been growing in fertile ground that has been nourishing us, we will cling to our faith for that extra strength & wisdom in these times. Knowing that our Creator has promised never to leave nor forsake us & we will definitely be able to flourish in this new season with all its tides of change…
I invite you to share in a cup of Maple tea… where I share how both tree roots & our roots are fascinatingly nourished or not (click or tap on the colored text for the link).
We are seated now at a picnic table overlooking the water with our delicious cup of Maple tea…, reflecting upon the wisdom of nourishing our soul within the circumstances we find ourselves & growing strong where we are planted…
How are you nourishing the roots of your soul dear friend & how often do you stop to be refreshed…when was the last time you felt truly restored…the ancients left us the following wisdom;
“Watch over your soul with all diligence. For from it flow the springs of life.”
Proverbs 4: 23
Until next time…
Jennifer
© teawithjennifer.blog Photos by Jennifer All Rights Reserved.
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Sounds like a beautiful walk and a great lesson! It is amazing how God can sustain us and even cause us to grow, even in the most difficult circumstances.
Absolutely Lesley 😀
Jennifer, what a beautiful walk and encouraging post! How important it is to stay rooted in our Lord when the storms of life batter and overwhelm us. Blessings~
Thank you Pam…it was such a dramatic visual lesson 😀
Yes! This is the reason we need to be grounded and to teach our children to be grounded. When storms of life knock us over, we can still live in Christ!
Amen!
I remember our kids learning about nursery trees where new trees grew out of fallen ones. Thanks for the lovely photos.
A pleasure Elizabeth. I’m not familiar with those nursery rhymes.
I just looked it up to be sure of the name. They are called nurse logs and seem to be common in the Pacific Northwest where we lived. Cool photos available on line with a search for that term.
Ok, thank you Elizabeth, I’ll have a look 🙂
Lovely post, I so enjoyed our walk!
Lovely to walk with you, I have yet to answer your private invitation but I will get there! 😉
No problem! Part of my community of followers have put my mind at ease so I am going to make my blog public again. Thanks!
Great news 😀
A beautiful walk in your company and wise words…when it looks like there can be no good in a situation there is a hidden resilient part of us ready to blossom. Thank you Jennifer. Xx
You’re welcome Marie, it is such a picturesque walk with so many applications for life to draw from along the way. Blessings to you dear friend. 😀
This is one of my favourite spots. On a hot day I will seek this very tree out & sit in the shallows under the refreshing shade it’s branches offer. Your words reminded me of Jeremiah 17-7 & 8:-
But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. 8He will be like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It will not worry in a year of drought or cease producing fruit.”
Great inspiration, thank you Jennifer
Hi Ali,
Lovely to have you drop by & I am glad you enjoyed this time together. It is a beautiful tree with so many applications that we can draw from the ancients & from God’s wisdom.
Blessings 😀
What a blessing to be amongst such beauty! Thank you for taking us along on your journey!
It is definitely a blessing, so glad you enjoyed our walk together 😀
Hi Jennifer, Just letting you know I nominated you for The Versatile Blogger Award. 🙂 No pressure, just letting you know!
Oh what a honor! Thank you 😀
Of course! I love your peaceful and explorative journeys on your blog. 🌻😊
😀
What a beautiful lesson. A great reminder to stay rooted in Him so we can flourish no matter what life brings. Thank you so much. Maple tea sounds delicious too. You always share such lovely treat ideas! Sweet blessings to you!
Thank you Cheryl for your kind words, I’m glad you enjoyed our walk together & the Maple tea was delicious 😉
A beautiful post and gorgeous photos Jennifer!
Thank you Terri, it was such a beautiful day! 😀