Oak Trees

"God works powerfully, but for the most part gently and gradually."
"He does not teach all at once but by degrees."
"A Christian is not of hasty growth, like a mushroom, but rather like the oak, the progress of which is barely perceptible, but in time becomes a deep-rooted tree.
(Newton)

May I each day "pour" a little water on the oaks God has placed in my care. May I each day do so lovingly, with gentleness and patience. May I remember each day that it is a forest of oaks that I see before me and not "mushrooms." May I rest in the confidence that the Lord of the Forest will grow His "saplings" into deep-rooted trees at His pace and in His perfect timing. May I fear haste and embrace slowly. Roots need time to sink deeply. Roots need to be tested by storms. And may I each day be deeply rooted in the grace that is the soil of spiritual growth as revealed by His fountain of living water springing up inside me.