The Oak Tree

Bry and I have been talking a lot lately.  For a couple of months, we've sat down every Sunday night as the house gets quiet (ie. BEDTIME!) and discuss what we've endured, lessons learned, what we're struggling with, what triumphs we've had during the week, and where we are finding ourselves today.  And through these conversations, we've both discovered something.  We've sure come a long....long way.

Today I found something that explains my feelings this week.

A few months ago, Mercy River (one of my favorite LDS singing groups) came and put on a little show for our Stake.  As I sat there by myself, a story one of them read hit me to the core.  I immediately pulled out my phone, googled it and copied it in my notes.

And then I forgot all about it.
Until today.

And now, it means even more to me than the day I heard it.

"A mighty wind blew night and day.
It stole the Oak Tree's leaves away.
Then snapped its boughs
and pulled its bark
until the Oak was tired and stark.

But still the Oak Tree held its ground
while other trees fell all around.
The weary wind gave up and spoke
"How can you still be standing Oak?"

The Oak Tree said, I know that you
can break each branch of mine in two,
carry every leaf away,
shake my limbs and make me sway.

But I have roots stretched in the earth,
growing stronger since my birth.
You'll never touch them, for you see
they are the deepest part of me.

Until today, I wasn't sure
of just how much I could endure.
But now I've found with thanks to you,
I'm stronger than I ever knew."

-Johnny Ray Ryder, Jr.