“It was majestic in beauty, with its spreading boughs, for its roots went down to abundant waters.” Ezekiel 31:7
Rooted
It’s official! I’ve now lived in the mountains of West Virginia for 40 years. 40 years! It was the last week of August in 1982 when I left everything familiar behind to move for my first teaching position. The flight and long, dark drive were all a blur as I sat in a small hotel room that seemed like a movie set from the 1960’s. The reality of it all left me in tears wondering what I’d done, how’d I gotten here, and where on earth was here?
Walking into the adjacent Motel restaurant for breakfast was also like stepping back in time, and it seemed that every eye in the place noticed this newcomer as I nervously sat down in the first booth I could find.“They” say that things will look better in the morning, but daylight for me only seemed to illuminate how very far away from home I really was.
My apprehension continued as I learned that the county teacher training days had already officially started. Being behind before I’d started was not in my comfort zone. Also finding out I had no place to stay? Well, that about did me in and had me looking for the nearest exit. Thankfully common sense kicked in. Taking a deep breath I attempted to smooth my curls, plastered a smile on my face, and took a seat next to my new boss, but, I’m not sure I heard a single word said that entire day!
To be honest, my immediate plan was just to survive the school year, then pack up and move back home. But something unexpected began to happen.
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV)
The kindness of so many strangers who were becoming friends sustained me. The love of a special family grounded me. The courage of my students grew me. I became entrenched in the beauty of this place and it’s people. God had planted me “by the stream.” He chose this exact place, the one where He knew I belonged, in the fertile soil of His plan where I’d quickly become rooted and thrive. And not just for a season or two, but for FORTY years!
The first year teacher in this picture didn’t know much. But, whether in the dark of night or the morning light, it’s this place that’s now most familiar to me and it’s very clear how I got here: I was transplanted by the Divine Gardner who knew that my roots would become more deeply entwined than I could have ever imagined. Most importantly though, I also now know exactly where I am…. I am home!
(That is, until He transplants me again, not for forty years, but for eternity)
What a great story! So glad you shared. This past week I’ve been sick in bed and started watching a Netflix show called Virgin River. Your experience sounds very similar to the main character in this show, who moved from a big city to a small town by herself to work as a nurse. Fun to hear this real-life version, and how the Lord has sustained you over four decades!
So fun to learn more about you! I love your picture!
Oh my Stephanie, that was a looong time ago and I had no idea what I was doing. Thankfully I was blessed by the support and guidance of many! As it turned out I ended up teaching here for 32 years. Crazy! I appreciate you stopping in!
What a beautiful testimony of trusting the Divine Gardener, Cindy! He does all things well! Thank you for sharing about His faithfulness and grace toward you, as well as the kindness and love of strangers that became your new “family” in WV.
Thank you so much Lisa! Still amazes me that a place I never dreamed or really desired to be turned out to be exactly where I needed to be and now love! I appreciate you taking time to comment.
I love how God can lead us in ways we don’t expect, and I’m glad you found a place where you could belong and thrive.
Yes! Those places we don’t expect often turn out to be such blessings! Thank you Lesley!
Forty years in West Virginia?
Man, I really am impressed
that you had all of that in ya;
me, I would have been too stressed
’cause that’s where my dear wife’s family
has its taproots way on down;
they think I’m walking insanity,
and at best that I’m a clown
’cause I do not drink white lightning,
and I do not drive a truck;
with dirt roads I’m always fighting
for my Ferrari will get stuck
leaving me, of course, of course
to beg help from farmer’s horse.
Oh Andrew this cracks me up! I feel like you could use it to write a book! Thank you for sharing your gift of poetry with me again! Love it!
Cindy, thank YOU!
I love this story. I felt what you felt. I relate so well because in 1971 I moved from the upper peninsula to the lower and knew nobody except my new husband. It took years for me to not want to move home. Rooted. That’s the only way to acclimate totally..
It must have been as big an adjustment for you moving from a more rural area to more urban as it was for me to move from urban to rural! To God be the Glory! Thank you Jane for your kindness in commenting! I truly appreciate it!