We are on our way to Jeckyll Island for a few days of camping! I’m so excited to ride my bike and just soak in the beauty of this quaint little island!
There is a beach here called Driftwood Beach. I love it! It’s one of the most beautiful beach scenes. This beach is the only reason I wanted to come here. At least it was when we came for the first time last Summer. It was a quick getaway for just my husband and I. It’s almost shocking when you walk down the path that leads to the beach and see all the dead trees on the beach. They are enormous. All the bark is stripped. Roots are exposed. Some still stand upright but most are scattered along the beach laying horizontally, just where the storms blew them many years ago. The salt has preserved them. How can this be so beautiful? What draws people to come to this place where dead trees are scattered on the shoreline? I believe there is so much to be revealed here in this place.
Exposed Roots 
Driftwood Forest
There is something so beautiful about a tree. Have you ever just stopped to look at a tree? At a really large tree with roots growing near the surface? Some have deep roots and some are very shallow. What makes them grow in such a way? The beautiful Southern Live Oaks found along the coastline, can endure some amazing wind speeds and flooding. They are securely planted by the immense root systems that provide stability and life giving nutrients to the tree. Stepping out onto the beach, taking in the scene before me, I was careful to not overlook the details of the trees. Each one is so carefully carved. The largest of the trees had enormous root systems. Some were interwoven with other trees and they had fallen together on the shore. The largest root systems had kept their tree upright, even as the entire root system was exposed.
All of this reminds me of what the Bible says about roots and being rooted:
- Ezekiel 31:7 (NIV) It was majestic in beauty, with its spreading boughs, for its roots went down to abundant waters.
- Romans 11:18 (NIV) do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.
- Ephesians 3:17 (NIV) so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
- Colossians 2:7 (NIV) rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
I want this so much for my life, for my children, my friends and for you: To be rooted in the abundant waters of the Lord’s unfailing love and mercy; To be humble with others, allowing God himself to lead, strengthen and establish His work in you all your days; And to be strengthened in your faith until you are overflowing with thankfulness.
Today, I am thankful for a few days at the beach. I am thankful for time to reflect on the goodness of God as I soak in the stunning scenes of His creation that surround me in the peaceful place. I am thankful He is near. There is so very much to be thankful for. And that is something beautiful.
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