Crab Tree Roots and Our Faith

The centerpiece of our backyard is a mature flowering crab tree. Each spring, the buds burst forth with light pink blossoms that provide a sweet, spring fragrance. We look forward to the annual event as it announces the return of warmer weather, longer days, and the summer vacation.

The tree was no match for the Nor’easter that came through this past January. After several days of rain that saturated the ground, high winds toppled the tree over, ripping up the ground at the base of the trunk, exposing the roots.

The tree was fifty-seven years old. I counted the rings after it was cut up. The average lifespan of a flowering crab tree is around thirty years, so it outlived most of its kind. It was hard to believe a single storm could uproot a tree that had survived the elements for almost sixty years. That is, until I inspected the roots.

Several large boulders prevented the tree from growing roots on one side of its base. The storm, after rain had softened the ground, had high winds that were directed at the weakest part of the tree’s base. The two weather events – the wet ground and directional high winds – were aligned to attack the weakest points.

Though the tree was beautiful and full above the surface, underneath the surface was another matter. The ability of the tree to withstand the forces of nature had nothing to do with how it looked, but everything to do with how well it was anchored.

Our faith parallels the story of my flowering crab tree. Our Lord Jesus made it clear that what is on the outside (appearances) is not as important on what is on the inside. The Apostle Paul said in Colossians (2:7), Keep your roots deep in Him (Christ) and have your lives built upon Him. Be strong in the faith, just as you were taught, and always be thankful.

My prayer is that we continue to grow our roots deeper into our faith, so we are better prepared for the storms that come our way.

Thank you for your support.