Like a Tree

Every time I read the following passage, I long to be like this tree...

"Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit." - Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NLT)

I'm at a point in my life where things are good. No major concerns or worries. But I know it's only a matter of time. In this life there will be trouble. So that's why I want to invest energy in deepening my roots. I want to be able to stand strong when the heat is turned up. I want to be confident and not worry when it seems that God is distant. And no matter what happens, I want my life to produce delicious fruit.

Sometimes the fruit I produce now is rotten...my kids could tell you that. They test me like nothing else ever has. It's probably a good indication that I'm not bringing in enough nourishment. Sometimes I feel like my roots are sitting in the water, but not soaking it up. We can read and hear so much, but is it changing us? Are we letting it soak in?

Or maybe I just expect change to happen too fast. I want to be a new woman overnight! But trees take time to grow. Lots of time. So I will just hold onto this vision and be confident that God can and will grow me into this beautiful tree.