When I was growing up, my family moved several times due to my father’s work with the U.S. Public Health service. Up until the age of 8, I lived in four different states from the west coast to the east coast. Our last move during my high school years was the most challenging. As a teenager, I longed for roots and a sense of belonging.
After we moved, people would ask me where I was from, and I never knew quite what to say. Though I never lived in Pennsylvania, I tried to be witty and tell people I was from the commonwealth because I was born in Kentucky and spent most of my growing up years in Massachusetts before I settled in Virginia. Of course, I also lived in California, New York and North Carolina, so this response was not completely accurate. Eventually, I found it easier to just tell people I moved around a lot growing up.
As a result of living in several places, my sense of rootedness did not come from a geographical location. It did not come from a particular group of friends, because my friends were scattered all across the country. Ultimately, my sense of rootedness came from my family and my faith.
As the season of Lent begins, I am mindful of the importance and value of being rooted in my faith and in God’s love. Joyce Rupp’s book, “Return to the Root,” has been an inspirational resource for my spiritual well-being during this season.
Rupp reminds us that it takes intentionality to center and ground ourselves amidst a chaotic and noisy world. “Endless work-oriented activity, unwanted disturbances, and a zillion attractive distractions cause me to disregard or forget about this source of love existing at the center of my creatureliness,” writes Rupp. “Even so, time and again I am drawn back to this divine Taproot.”
Since taproots provide stability, nourishment and growth, Lent provides the opportunity to nourish and strengthen the “taproots” of our inner beings. In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul encourages the early Christians to “be rooted and grounded in love.” Being rooted in the love of God is reflected in our attitudes, our words, our actions. When we strengthen this core of our being, we can become a “conduit carrying love and goodwill” wherever we go.
Just as a good balance of water and nutrients create the conditions of soil that lead to healthy root development, prayer and meditation can help create conditions for us to grow in love and faith. When we examine our lives in prayer, we become more aware of the kind of person we are called to be. In his book, “Life is Messy,” Matthew Kelly challenges his readers to “close the gap between who you are today and who you are capable of being.” During Lent, we may reflect on what we need to let go in order to be our best selves. How would our lives be different if we gave up grudges, regrets, excuses or complaints?
Just as smaller roots develop from the central support system called a taproot, our core of being impacts the growth around us. Giving our time and energy to causes we care about can strengthen and nourish our community. Gathering with others for worship and study can lead to new growth within us and our communities of faith. If we were more loving, more compassionate or more generous, how would others be impacted?
Rupp shares an African proverb which states, “When the root is deep, there is no reason to fear the wind.” In challenging times, I often hear people say that their faith in God helps them through a broken relationship, a job loss or a health crisis. Lent can serve to remind us of what is most important in life, and deepen the root of what really matters.
I have lived in Virginia now for almost 40 years. My husband and I have raised our family here, and it certainly feels like home. At the same time, my rootedness and sense of belonging have not come from living in the same place for so long. Instead, I have found my roots and sense of belonging in the enduring love of God who strengthens and sustains me.
The Rev. Becky Glass is executive director for the Peninsula Pastoral Counseling Center in Newport News. She can be reached by email at [email protected].
