January 28 was a sunny lovely day. Bob asked where I wanted to go for a drive. I told him back to the park where we had seen a redwood tree. We were just in California in October and I was rather stunned that this gorgeous tree we saw in a Hamilton County Park was called a redwood. So we headed off for Withrow Nature Preserve, one of the great parks of Hamilton County.

Now all the foliage was gone. Just a few spangles that resemble seed.

Reminded me of millet we used to hang in the parakeet’s cage!

The tree itself was just as grand as my first sight of it!

We had fun trying photos at various angles. Finally, we were so focused that a young park ranger decided to stop and talk with us about why we were so interested in this tree. We were amused chatting with him.

Do you remember my many references to Ephesians 3?

that He would give you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being firmly rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:16-19 LSB

Look at the base of this tremendous tree. Can you imagine YOU being firmly rooted and grounded in love just as this tree is rooted and grounded in soil?

Hold firm to Christ our Lord! May your roots go deep into His love!

That very same day we continued our drive and wound up at a street along the Ohio River called Steamboat Drive. Over a potholed road you get to an Ohio River overlook. Here is one view from there.

As we walked further to the right I could see a tree on the edge of the precarious drop to the river bank. Could not quite catch it in the photo, but I could see where the soil had eroded from the roots in one area and there was daylight coming through.

NOT you. Not firmly and deeply rooted, not secure in the love of Christ!

So choose today how you will grow your roots. I printed out the Ephesians passage and put it on bathroom counter. Then I got it wet and ink ran. So I printed it again and put it in a plastic recipe card cover. Do whatever it takes for you to get your head around the Ephesians passage and get your heart active in doing what Paul said to do.

The opening photo for this blog was the last photo at Withrow Nature Preserve. I think the spangle of clouds was for your benefit! It is a wonderful image of God’s Love for us!!