The Stand- Mother’s Day
Pastor Ellie
6 minute read
I want to wish everyone at Create Church a happy Mother’s Day. This past weekend, we celebrated the women in all of our lives who have nurtured and loved us. I know for some this is a difficult day. Many of you may be celebrating this holiday for the first time without your mother. You are in my prayers.
Today, I want you to take the next few moments and concentrate on this single thought: To stand securely, you must be anchored deeply.
Did You Know?
- Over 17 million Americans are impacted by depression
- Women are 2 times as likely to have depression
- Depression is the leading cause of disease
- Depression is the leading cause of suicide
- Economic depression and job insecurity are the leading causes of depression
I have seen depression rob far too many of the daily joy of being a mom. Mothers are often the pillar of strength in a family, like a mighty oak tree. Yet behind that projection of strength, mothers often hide deep pain. Scripture gives us a beautiful promise for that pain. In Isaiah 61:3, we read, “To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
You can find hope and healing in God’s presence by anchoring your faith deeply in these three ways.
1. See the Son
John 1:11-12 tells you that those who receive Jesus have the right to become children of God. When you cry out to God in your pain and hurt, He hears you and draws near. He is not a distant God, but a loving Father who longs to comfort you. Through seasons of despair, you can find peace and purpose in the ministry of reconciliation of Christ. You can trust that God sees you, provides for you, guides you, and heals you.
Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.
2. Embrace the Wind
A huge glass dome was constructed in the desert to house an artificial, controlled environment with purified air and water, healthy soil, and filtered light. The intent was to afford perfect growing conditions for trees, fruits, and vegetables, as well as humans.
People lived in the biodome for many months at a time, and everything seemed to do well with one exception. When the trees grew to a certain height, they would topple over. It baffled scientists until they realized they forgot to include the natural element of wind. Trees need wind to blow against them because it causes their root systems to grow deeper, which supports the tree as it grows taller.
Who among us doesn’t long for a perfect growing environment for ourselves, with no disruptions from outside influences? We strive to avoid the times of contrast and tension, when life’s daily challenges push against us. When these obstacles arise, the normal tendency is to curse them. If trees could talk, would we hear them curse the wind each time they encountered a storm?
Watch how a tree bends and sways gracefully when the wind blows against it. It does not stand rigid, resisting the flow of energy. It does not push back. The tree accepts the strong wind as a blessing that helps it grow.
3. Deepen Your Roots
The initial root of the oak tree is the taproot, which grows deep underground, seeking a dependable supply of moisture. Once this is accomplished, greater foliage and branch growth can begin. Soon the taproot is surpassed by an extensive root system spreading horizontally. This lateral mass of roots will bring the tree moisture and nutrients for its lifetime.
Most oak tree roots lie only 18 inches under the soil. They may spread, to occupy a space four to seven times the width of the tree’s crown. Root hairs, located just back from the tips of the smaller roots, absorb water and minerals and send them circulating through the root system.
When two trees of the same species grow side by side, they can even share root systems that have grafted together. In today’s age of social media and surface level connections, our ability to survive life’s storms hinges on our root system and the “forest” we live in.
In closing, I want you to focus now on this scripture, for I hope it guides your heart this week:
“But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”
Psalms 1:2-3 NLT