We have a bush, a beautiful bush that used to grow in our yard. (It was a Japanese Barberry— love them!!) But that was exactly the problem.
It grew in the yard-– it had been planted in the middle of the grass. For two years, I mowed AROUND the bush, week in, week out. So earlier this winter, one day when I needed a stress reliever and had a free moment, I headed outside with my shovel to “rehome” this lovely bush to a different spot in our yard.
As I hacked around the base, I came across three side roots that had grown out, parallel to the ground above, and after disconnecting the thickest part of those roots from the feathery tendrils that spread further out, I thought I was done. But when I went to pop the plant out of the hole I’d dug, it wouldn’t budge. I soon found out that the bush had a deep (and thick!) taproot that went straight down. After more hacking, pulling, bending, pleading, and even more fervent hacking, the bush gave way.
I found a more suitable place for the plant, but not without first grappling with its stubborn tenacity. Its deep root had made it strong. Though it only stood perhaps 3 feet tall, no change of the winds or flooding or drought was going to kill this plant.
The root had intentionally gone deep into the soil, which produced vigorous strength and helped the plant to cling to life through difficult seasons.
The Apostle Paul said this about roots:
“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
~Colossians 2:7