“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)