The Freedom of Roots
Our kitchen is undergoing a renovation of sorts. It started when our oven stopped working. After we replaced it, we decided now was a good time to tackle some of the other projects we had talked about doing since we moved in—new backsplash, paint, lights, and so on. The negative is that as our kitchen has slowly started to be transformed, we are looking around the rest of our house and dreaming about what could be. The fun thing is that our kitchen is slowly being transformed, we are looking around the rest of the house and dreaming about what could be.
Some of the projects we envision are pretty big and will take a considerable amount of investment—of both our time and finances. And, e
I’ve never had a house that I considered my “forever” house before. Every place I’ve lived as an adult, I’ve known was temporary. Even when we moved into our current home, though I knew it was a gift from the Lord and have been incredibly thankful—I’m not sure I really “settled” in completely in my mind. To be honest, it goes against my grain a little. I enjoy adventure, tackling new things and there being some “unknowns” on the horizon. My family life notwithstanding, I definitely have a bit of a phobia around commitment.
I value the freedom of the unknowns. After all, when you aren’t tied down, anything seems possible. It gives you room to grow and stretch your wings! But, here’s what I’m learning right now: planting your roots leads to an entirely different kind of freedom. Things are possible when you plant that you just can’t do otherwise. Our house is being slowly changed over time to be what we want it to be. It’s amazing to envision it in the future, knowing that it will both stay the same and change to suit our needs and tastes. There is both comfort in the consistency and excitement when dreaming of the possibilities! On top of this, our home is becoming a storehouse of treasures. Memories of our family in specific moments of time. Sure, those I can carry with me anywhere, but there is something special about seeing my children change against the backdrop of our home. Plus, there are physical treasures too. For example, my mom & dad did the backsplash in our kitchen. This is something I will long treasure. It isn’t just tile, it’s personal connection that will endure years in the future.
This lesson goes well beyond my physical house, though. I feel like the more I choose to commit and plant my roots, the more I actually become free. I’ve been married for 23 years and I just told my husband yesterday that I feel like a newlywed. Which is only part true. I said it because I just feel so much joy in our marriage. I find myself smiling when I think of him, without even realizing it. But, at the same time, it’s so much better than our newlywed years because there is a confidence and depth to our love that didn’t exist then. It couldn’t have existed like this. This is the result of time.
The same is true of every area of my life. It isn’t that I’ve suddenly “arrived”—I’m very much still on a journey with much to learn. But, there is a depth that didn’t exist before. This is a result of time—and I don’t just mean age. Certainly I feel more confident and comfortable in my own skin now than I did when I was younger. But, it isn’t just time that leads to depth. It’s the commitment of staying with something and growing with it.
I used to think that commitment eliminated options. Now I see that it also unlocks so many possibilities that are unavailable otherwise. I still love adventure. I am glad that the future is never completely known. But, I’m beginning to see that—like a tree—the deeper I allow my roots to go, the higher I will grow and the more I will actually be free.
ven the other “small” projects add up! This can be frustrating because I just want to be able to do it all now! But, on the other hand, it is fun to dream about what can be. To envision the future. To imagine the possibilities.
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