“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.”
―J.R.R.Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
I’m seeking and wandering but not lost, like Tolkien says– I may not know all the roads, but I know the Destination. I’m not seeking after that which glitters, but what I seek has a value far above any earthly gem. And deep roots, “are not reached by the frost”… and deep roots are heavily watered by the nourishment of the word and Presence of One that I cannot see. I need not fear the winter… death…harsh conditions… trials… unkindnesses… hunger…. The roots are safe, growing, receiving, breathing– alive.
I’ve fallen in a heap of ashes, but that is where He shines, from where He creates beauty, from where the spirit awakens to realize that a Power and Love and a Strength is unleashed through the rubble of broken wings. I can see the Light because I’ve walked in darkness; if it were only light, would I see or know Him? Reigning in hearts– a place that no earthly or worldly king, through any human might, can reign, or save; He is a true King. His crown is on His head, and one day I’ll join the royal court; until then, I walk in shadows on earth, replicating the royalty as best I can in human skin. As I walk on the path, where dead and dry leaves brush against me, I can see Jesus at the end of the path. And all is new and green again.
{A few thoughts to help me get through the winters, both literally and figuratively speaking…}
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Sharing in two favorite places:
with sweet friends Emily
and Laura
So lovely! In the Tolkien poem, I had forgotten that line about the roots, yet it’s so important! Lately I’ve been reading in the Gospels, and another line from LOTR has been running through my brain: “The hands of the king are the hands of a healer.” I’m sorry, friend you’ve “fallen in a heap of ashes,” but I give thanks with you that our God brings fire and light out of ashes by His grace. May He grant us both deep roots.
Grace and peace to you this weekend in Jesus.
ah, this reaching deep, this growing… i need to cling to this too, through the long winter months. thank you friend. so lovely.
Beautiful post.. love that we may not know all of the roads but we know the destination. Blessings.
I am thinking that I so need to re-read the trilogy. So much good stuff there. Thank you for reminding me of this. I can use some words to get me through the winter too :).