Papa was a preacher and I'm proud! Mama was proud too--they made quite a team! Serving the Lord in ministry for many years, faithful to pastor small congregations, I watched them--well, I practically cut my teeth on a Pentecostal pew and fell ASLEEP watching them sometimes, I'm sure! Dad believed the Word of God from cover to cover. With failing eyesight, he memorized large portions of God's Word and was known as "The Walking Bible." Mom served by his side in many areas. She said she preached best in the kitchen, but she could preach when she had to--and preach up a storm she did!
Yes, I've got ROOTS, but that's not enough. For you see, God has no grandchildren, and while my parents could teach, train and implant God's Word in my heart, they couldn't bring it to life and cause me to fly. Only God--and my own free will and choice--could do that. I chose to fly, and then God and my parents partnered together to mature, prepare and then release me to fly into the wind. And FLY, I did and do--oh, not just around town, in the "friendly skies," or on the Web (flying off the handle doesn't count!). God's given me wings to soar, and some days I do, some days I don't--I'm human, just like you!
So where's YOUR roots and wings? We each have a different story to tell. Sometimes the roots and wings come from Christian mentors and not our parents. Sometimes the roots and wings come from God alone. But whatever their source, let's celebrate some roots 'n wings in our lives today and realize how blessed we really are! Come "fly" over to the Well and talk about it--I can talk and fly too, can you?
A Helping Word...or
Two!
Roots of Salvation...Wings of Grace!
Roots that go deep! Mine go back to a VBS, at 4 years of age, where I gave my heart to the Lord. My parents had prepared the soil, watered it with God's Word, and it took effect in a young child's life. Now did I reach a state of 4-year-old perfection? You must be kidding--for I was a KID! I had to grow and I did--worship experiences at church, in the home, at youth camp, in quiet time; fellowship and friendship with other kids who loved God--and of course, under the very watchful eyes of two godly parents. Thank God for the roots of salvation which brought me to Christ, then nurtured me to grow in His grace.
Wings to soar--and His grace waits and work within me to do just that. Do I soar DAILY? Wish I did--I'm still workin' on it, and so are you! We cherish the roots God has planted within our hearts, and the wings are there - HONEST! - to be exercised, strengthened, and yes, at moments of spiritual joy to SOAR, all because of His grace which never leaves us, which disciplines us and disciples us to be the child of God HE wants us to be! So fly with me...."They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Isaiah 40:31 KJV)."
Roots of the Spirit...Wings of Glory!
The roots of the Spirit go deep too. From a child, I have learned about the Holy Spirit-- His power, His presence, and His infilling - and as a child, I experienced it. As an adult, I treasure the Pentecostal experience, but I do not flaunt it. Many wonderful Christians believe differently than I, and that's OK, for the same Holy Spirit indwells us all, and those roots are deeper than any theological division to separate us from Him--or one another. So celebrate with me the joy of the Holy Spirit, implanted within our hearts that we might worship the Lord in spirit and in truth...
And then fly with me.! Recognize the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in your own life-- His power to live for Him; His presence to abide in Him. When we want to flounder around on earth as "turkeys," (and some days we are and we do!), may the Holy Spirit quicken our hearts, move us out of our dead, dry doldrums and cause us to soar in His blessed Holy Spirit. Let's remember Isaiah 40:31, put on our glory wings, and fly!
Roots of Surrender...Wings of Goodness!
When roots go deep, implanted by God, His Holy Spirit, and a godly heritage, you soon learn that life on earth is not just about "me, myself, and I" - it's about others too. I watched my parents serve joyfully and faithfully. I watched them serve in difficult situations, in places where a natural response would be, "I give up. I'm tired of blame and burdens and bothersome people. I quit." But no--they carried on, in faithfulness, forgiveness, and fortitude--and this watching daughter will never forget it! They modeled surrender to the will of God in the good times and the bad times. It's the roots of yesterday that cause me to soar today--and I hope from heaven they are watching!
A crowd of witnesses in heaven watches--they've been where we are. They know we must surrender so we can soar and they cheer us on into the perfect Will of God. Their prayer? ."...that you may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2 KJV)." For it is only in His perfect Will we will ever know His perfect goodness, grace and glory. Roots can't push us--roots prepare us. We must personally give our all to God. THAT'S when we fly--so far and so fast, we are breathless, as He leads us on and on into the good things He plans for us. So come--fly with me! His Will is "GOOD, acceptable and perfect."
Roots 'n wings--it's the story of my life and it's what I want to give my own children. I hope it's your story too--or it can be! For the God who's blessed me with a rooting and grounding in His Word can do the same for you. And then it's time to fly--to know the blessed joy of living in His grace, His glory, and His goodness. I dare you to pick up a Bible, read until the roots of His love go deep; then pray until your spirit soars into the heavenlies of His grace. It's the heritage of the people of God--and it can be yours today!
A-Devo-a-Day for Vacation Inspiration 
