Deep roots (again)

Time for some more about deep roots, because I love the subject: the illustrious elm tree and the magnificent dandelion. What do these two local favorites have in common? Well, yes, but I meant beside the fact that they are both incredibly insidious and impossibly difficult to get rid of. But, since you mention it, let's run with it. Why ARE these two beloved plants so tough to get rid of? And why is it illegal to plant an elm tree in Washoe County?? And why do they survive, thrive, and multiply like rabbits no matter what conditions exist or however much warfare is waged against them???

Well, it's pretty simple. Both of these formidable and indefatigable species are blessed with two of God's greatest gifts. One, which we are not going to discuss in depth here and now, is the ability to produce ridiculously exponential amounts of seeds. They are each masters at procreation. However, the other one, which is very near and dear to my heart, is this: dandelions and elm trees both have taproots that go so flipping far down into the ground that it is extremely difficult at best to remove them.

To be sure, it is a trifle to remove the visible parts of a dandelion; and many people do, on a regular basis. Why, just yesterday I was standing, talking with a fellow, and he knocked a couple off with the toe of his shoe. A noble gesture, that, but it didn't REALLY phase our friend the dandelion. Losing all of its leaves, stems, flowers, and seeds did nothing except delay the process a bit. Before you could say, "The ides of spring," the little dude will have sprouted several new leaves and even more flowers than it had before.

In fact, it seems to me, having been FORCED to watch them, for years, due to my career path, I suspect that knocking off all of a dandelion's above ground growth is actually WORSE than if we'd just let it go. When it gets its way, and reproduces by sending out three or four flowers, it feels pretty good and is relatively satisfied with itself; it can relax. However, force it to start over again from the beginning and it will retaliate with a vengeance. I ask you, have you ever seen an angry dandelion?? The admonition to take no vengeance has no weight in the plant kingdom. They will take all the vengeance they can get, without a hint of remorse. A dandelion so offended will send out so many new stems with new flowers on it you'd think it was a mutant strain of genetic anomaly accidentally introduced into the environment by some well meaning but misguided biologist. But I digress.

How, then, I ask, is the persistent little plant able to do this?? From whence cometh its persistence and its virility to produce so vehemently??? From its deep roots! A dandelion's deep roots give it access to more water, minerals, and other plant building materials than are available to its contemporaries whose roots extend only an inch or two below the surface.

And, in order to provide equal time to our friends the elms, they set the standard for deep roots. I am not aware of ANY other trees that have such deep roots as elms. To prove this point, go, find yourself a spare elm tree, accost it with any implements of destruction at your disposal. Cut its branches off; see if it cares. Cut them off again next year; it will take no notice. Get mad; get your Homelite out and cut it all the way down to the ground! It will come back baby, stronger than before.

As a landscaper, I have had the pleasure of removing both of these types of plants from peoples' yards. And here is what I have seen. On both dandelions and elm trees, THEIR ROOTS ARE USUALLY FOUR TO FIVE TIMES LONGER THAN THE PART THAT CAN BE SEEN ABOVE GROUND.

So,the analogy is there for us to learn from. OUr roots need to extend down into God, into His Spirit, into Jesus Christ, and into all of the truths of His kingdom. As it says in Jeremiah, "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, THAT HE UNDERSTANDS AND KNOWS ME, THAT I AM THE LORD, who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:23-24). Not only can we extend our own roots deep down into God and His truths, but we can do the same for the next generations by teaching them and training them in God and His truths as well. We, as adults, have the ability to create deep roots in kids without them even knowing that we are doing so! Make sure that your kids know how to receive love, how to trust, and how to be responsible, and you will start them off with deep roots.

Til we meet again, may your roots extend deep into the LOVE of God. Just as plants' roots will always go where they find water, so a person's roots will always go where they find love. And since God is love, He is where we must send our roots!!!