Roots are very important!

I’m not talking about hair dye, although that may be an important area for some. Let’s concentrate on  growth patterns in  gardening,  whether it be  flowers or  vegetables  or our hearts.

Roots:  anchor plants, teeth and hair for some examples, and make all of those stable.      

The one plant we dislike is the resilient, persistent, ugly weed, seemingly hard to get rid of, permanently, unconcerned with where it lives. We had to deal with and get rid of a plant called tansy when we had our 55-acre farm in Washington, as it liked to grow in our hay fields. That particular tansy was poisonous to our cattle as we fed them bales of hay.

I can always tell when I have successfully removed a weed when the whole thing comes out. If it snaps off halfway, you’ve only removed the top and it will grow back. That’s why dentists remove a bad tooth and root, which cleans and rids the whole area of decay.

Some vegetables are roots like carrots, potatoes, turnips, parsnips and onions to name a few, so we as farmers pull weeds around those veggies so the weeds don’t take the nourishment or water from the vegetables in the ground as they grow.

Our hearts: It’s so important to refresh and maintain clean, peaceful hearts. We as Christians are reminded to do this before we take Communion. I try to do a “heart check” on myself often so that I’m clean to help others and in my prayer time. I know when I need to do this because my conscience and conduct make me feel like I have a rock in my throat or give me a queezy head or tummy. Then, no root of bitterness or negativity or fear will get in to live in me.

Social media: I’m noticing some hateful, critical, disrespectful comments and blogs about our president, leaders, beautiful America, our glorious flag, and on and on. Even if I didn’t vote for or care for a president in the past, I still prayed for their salvation, wisdom and protection.  Grow up, people. These are “grown ups” training their children. Ugh!

Scripture says, “Look after each other so that none of you will miss out on the special favor of God. Watch out that no bitter root of unbelief rises up among you, for whenever it springs up, many are corrupted by its poison.
— Hebrews 12:15 New Living Translation

Follow God. He’s my First Leader, Heavenly Father, Faithful always to make my path straight.

Kathie Deasy writes about faith for The Port Arthur News