The Peach Tree That Taught Me About Being Rooted in Faith
- Debra Flaming
- Aug 9
- 3 min read
(Faith Reflections from Flaming Acres Dahlias)
There’s a peach tree in our orchard that has always been my favorite. Not because it’s the tallest or the prettiest, but because it’s the first to bear early peaches in the summer. Its peaches are sweet, juicy, and—if you ask me—just a little taste of Heaven.
A couple of years ago, when it was much smaller, a strong windstorm came through and toppled it over. My heart sank, but we weren’t ready to give up. We propped it back up, secured it, and hoped that over time it would grow a deeper, stronger root system.
Fast forward to this summer. The tree is now huge, its branches stretching wide and heavy with leaves and fruit. When another windstorm rolled in, I thought, Surely, by now, it must have a strong foundation. But when we went to the garden we were shocked—to find the tree uprooted and the root ball was still very small. In fact, we couldn’t believe it had been standing at all.
In that moment, the peach tree became more than a source of fruit—it became a mirror of what happens when life lacks deep roots.
Why Roots Matter
In the natural world, roots do more than keep a tree standing. They draw up water and nutrients, anchoring the tree so it can survive drought, storms, and seasons of change.
In our spiritual lives, our “roots” are our beliefs, convictions, and trust in God. Without them, we may stand for a while, but when life’s winds start to blow—loss, disappointment, fear—we can easily topple over.
Rooted in the Rock
The Bible speaks often about the importance of our foundation:
Matthew 7:24–25 tells of the wise man who built his house upon the rock. When the rain fell and the floods came, the house stood firm because it was built on a solid foundation.
Jeremiah 17:7–8 describes the person who trusts in the Lord as being “like a tree planted by the water” whose leaves remain green and who does not fear when heat comes.
To be “rooted” is to be anchored in Christ—nourished daily by His Word, strengthened by prayer, and held steady by faith when storms come.
A Question for the Heart
If we’re honest, it’s easy to look strong on the outside while our root system remains shallow. We may be busy, successful, or even admired—but when trials come, what’s underneath will be revealed.
That peach tree looked healthy because it was full of branches, leaves and was heavy laden with fruit-from the outside, but the truth was underground. My prayer—for myself, for our family, for you—is that we won’t just look strong, but that we’ll be deeply rooted in the truth of God’s love and grace. Because the storms will come. And when they do, I want to be standing—not in my own strength, but in His.
Your Turn
Take a moment this week to ask:
Am I drawing my strength from the Lord daily?
Do I know His promises well enough to cling to them in a storm?
Am I investing in my spiritual root system now, before the winds blow?
Let’s be people who don’t just survive the storms, but stand tall and bear good fruit—in the good times and the bad because our roots go deep into the unshakable Rock.
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” – Colossians 2:6–7
I want my life to be more than just branches and leaves. I want roots—deep, steady, and anchored in the One who never changes. Out here at Flaming Acres, the winds still come, both in the fields and in life. But each day, I’m learning that with God as my foundation, I don’t have to fear the storms. Instead, I can keep growing, keep bearing fruit, and keep pointing back to the One who makes everything possible.
Have a Great Day!
Debra Flaming
