In a recent Our Daily Bread devotional, Deep Rooted Faith, Xochitl Dixon tells the story of a 600 year old oak tree that stood next to a church in New Jersey. The tree had survived many storms (including several hurricanes) due to its extensive root system. It’s deep vertical taproot supplied strength and nourishment, while it’s horizontal roots spread beyond the tree’s canopy. Says Dixon, “Most of the life-giving growth occurred beneath the surface.”
My mom and dad were happily married for 49 years. Like many of their generation, my father made most of the decisions. He did the driving, arranged for major purchases, etc. The majority of the time, my mother deferred to him.
When dad died in 2007, the rest of the family wondered how mom would fare. Would she wilt under the strain of making ALL the decisions?
We shouldn’t have worried. After a period of adjustment, my mother began to blossom. She painted her bedroom sunflower yellow, learned to use the riding lawn mower, and traded the family van for a cute little SUV.
For nearly 50 years she let my father lead, yet all the while her tenacious fortitude was just beneath the surface. The secret of her strength was her deep roots in God. Mom was not overt in sharing her Christian faith, but the source of her strength was obvious to all who knew her. And when the time came for her to join my father in heaven, she did not seem to be afraid.
A few months after my mother died, I picked up her favorite Bible. Tucked within the pages was one of her “taproot” scriptures–written on a 3″ x 5″ card in her perfect penmanship.
What is one of your tap root scriptures? Please share, if you’d like.
Here’s one of mine:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning: great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
29 responses to “The Source of Her Strength”
Thanks! Blessings to you, as well.
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Thank you for reading and commenting. Yes, I am thankful that God promises to never leave or forsake us—even if we turn away from Him. Blessings.
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Great lesson from your mom’s faith! Thanks for sharing!
“For he has said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” He has kept this promise through thick and thin.
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You’re welcome. I read ODB most every morning.
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I love Our Daily Bread devotions and I love this post. Thanks for sharing, David.
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Aww, it was a nice pit stop from the busy journey called life 😉
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Thank you, Deandra. I appreciate your visiting my blog and commenting.
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This is such a moving post!
‘In Him I move, live and have all my being.”
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https://godswhispersoftruth.wordpress.com/2020/08/22/10-truths-this-trial-has-taught-me/
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2 Timothy 1:7 is a favorite of mine along with Philippians 4:13.
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Recently, it has been Habakkuk 3:22-24. Love your Mom’s verse too.
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Thank you, Angie.
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Beautiful analofy
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Having both read and enjoyed your blog, I can see how this scripture fits as your personal mission statement. Thank you for reading and also for your comment! Blessings.
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It is a blessing to have positive things left over from loved ones who have passed on. My favorite scripture is the proverbs 31 woman.
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”
It is my biblical personal mission statement.
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Thank you, Doris. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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David,This one really blessed my heart!Doris
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Oh yes, a lost art I’m afraid these days.
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Thank you for sharing. It’s hard for me to pick a favorite scripture too. My mother was a teacher, so her handwriting was always beautiful. Blessings.
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Beautiful story of your mom.🌻 My tap root verse is probably 2 Timothy 1:7. For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind. Amen! I have so many favorites it’s hard to narrow it down but that one I cling to at present. Your mom had lovely penmanship. ☺
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Thank you!
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Beautiful.
Sent from my iPhone
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You’re welcome, Alan. Thank you for sharing Psalm 27. That one is one of my favorites too. Blessings.
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Yes he was and it was so that he could proclaim the gospel and the gentiles would hear it.
That verse reminds me that the Lord is always with me and will give me strength to fulfil and live a life He purposed for me.
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Thanks, Pastor. I love the verse you shared. I hope you have a great weekend as well.
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I like your verse. As o recall, Paul was all alone at that point—no one stood up for him. Blessings.
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What a lovely post David. The reference to our roots in Christ is perfectly applied. My main tap root scripture would be Psalm 27, which I inherited from my grandmother. The first verse is the most famous one:
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread?
But the final verse is also worth holding onto as well: Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord.
Thank you David for this encouraging post my friend. God bless you today.
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Your Mom’s verse was also my dad’s which he often spoke on the final days of his life. To be honest my favorite verse keeps changing but here is one I was blessed with this morning.
The Lord is my strength and my shield. In Him my heart trusts and I am helped. My heart exults and with my song I give thanks to Him. Psalm 28:7
Have a blessed week-end
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Thank you for sharing about your mum’s strong faith. I do love Philippians 4:13 but another one of my favourite verses is
2 Tim 4:17 “ The Lord stood with me and gave me strength. “
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