Protect Your Roots 1-16-12

Good Morning Sunshines!

While preparing this morning's “Inspiration”, I stumbled upon Susan Brian's article on Top Ten Palm Tree Mistakes (http://www.florida-palm-trees.com/palm-tree-care-mistakes/).  In it she says that adding fertilizer to the soil when planting a palm is a common mistake. This is almost guaranteed to kill your palm. Palm tree roots are very fragile, and adding fertilizer so close to the root ball could damage it. A palm tree with damaged roots is more likely to get diseases and die.  You can burn a palm tree by putting fertilizer too close to the trunk. Once the trunk is damaged it is harder for the palm tree to battle diseases. Keep a 2 feet distance from the trunk when fertilizing.

I was researching palm trees because I had had heard how their root system makes them able to withstand the greatest of storms.  I was getting ready to write about how it is important to be deeply rooted so when test and trials come our way we are able to stand firm and “take a hit”.  But after reading this, I felt lead to change the direction I was going.  As Christians we go through many stages in our lives.  Some of us are new to Christ and freshly planted. Some of us planted ourselves in a place that was not conducive to growth and had to be uprooted and replanted.  Others have gone through series of hurts that have eaten away at the soil and left our roots exposed.  During these times it is important to keep yourself away from fertilizer/mess.  This means that you may have to separate yourself from some people and stay away from certain places.  You must pay attention to your surroundings and keep your self buried in the Word that your roots may take hold to the rich soil and grow.  Too much mess too soon or during these vulnerable times, can kill you.  I know what you’re thinking….."why would I want to be around mess at any point in my life?"  Well actually, some mess is good for you, but as stated previously, you have to keep it at a distance.  Some of my greatest lessons have come from watching someone else’'s mess.  I gleaned from it what I was supposed to and kept it movin'.  Many of us get into trouble when we invite the mess over for dinner, sit down at the table with the mess, make the mess our best friend, and sometimes even marry the mess; which caused damage to our roots.  Damaged roots make you vulnerable to disease (sin) such as: hatred, anger, bitterness, jealousy, covetousness, and so much more; which if no healing takes place, will led to death.  Always protect your roots!  Proverbs 12:3 says “"You can't find firm footing in a swamp, but life rooted in God stands firm.”" 

Love Y'all!