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“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
—Psalm 1:3 (KJV)
There’s something majestic and stately about a tree planted by a stream. Steady. Rooted. Always connected to its source—even when the skies are dry and the world feels weary.
This week on the podcast, I’m revisiting a passage that has shaped not just how I think about faith, but how I live it: Psalm 1.
The one who meditates on the Word of God is like a tree—planted by streams of living water—whose leaf does not wither, who bears fruit in season.
We memorized that passage when my boys were younger, and at the time I thought I was doing it to help them. But the truth is, I needed it just as much.
A Faith That Grows Over Time
Walking with Jesus is not a sprint—it’s a long walk of faithful steps. And sometimes, from the outside looking in, it doesn’t look like there’s much of a difference between the one who serves Jesus and the one who doesn’t.
But give it time.
Over the years, the life of a person rooted in Christ begins to show fruit. Peace. Endurance. Joy that isn’t tied to circumstances. And that kind of fruit doesn’t grow overnight.
It grows in the hidden places.
Our world prizes fast growth. Quick results. But God often works slowly and deeply. Like tree roots pushing deeper through the soil, our spiritual growth often happens where no one else can see.
And that’s okay. Because what’s built below the surface will hold us when the storms come.
Rooted When Seasons Change
Life brings seasons—some beautiful, some barren. And if we’re only relying on what’s happening above the surface, we’ll wither when the winds blow or when the drought sets in.
But Psalm 1 reminds us that the righteous have roots. Deep roots.
Roots that tap into the Source others can’t see.
It’s not always about what’s visible. Sometimes the most powerful evidence of faith is what doesn’t move when the storms come.
You may feel hidden. You may feel overlooked. But you are planted. You are being nourished. And in due season, your life will bear fruit.
This is especially important for mothers and homemakers—because so much of our work is unseen. The meals made, the prayers we pray over sleeping children, the hard choices made with no applause.
But God sees. And what He sees growing beneath the surface is more valuable than any outward success the world could measure.
A Home That Provides Shade
Jesus also taught that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed—tiny at first, but when it grows, it becomes a tree where birds can come and rest in its branches (Matthew 13:31–32).
That’s what our faith does.
It starts small. But as it matures, it becomes a place where others find rest and safety.
Your home can be that place.
Your faith, your consistency, your prayers—they’re not just for you. They create shelter. They offer your children a picture of what it means to trust God through every season.
And sometimes the rest your family needs doesn’t come from a perfectly kept house or a well-laid-out plan. It comes from a heart that is at rest in God. A mama who has peace because she’s planted by the water.
Your stability becomes their refuge. Your presence becomes their peace.
The Quiet Testimony of Perseverance
There are seasons when it feels like nothing is happening. When the soil is dry. When you wonder if your prayers are doing anything at all.
But friend, God sees you.
And your quiet perseverance is preaching a sermon your children will remember.
When they face their own storms, they’ll remember the mama who kept believing. Who prayed when it was hard. Who walked with Jesus when no one was watching.
That’s not wasted. That’s legacy.
And your legacy is not measured in big moments, but in small, faithful ones repeated again and again.
Even when the leaves fall. Even when the growth slows. The roots are still reaching deep.
When Spring Comes Again
Maybe you’re in a winter season right now—spiritually dry or emotionally weary. I want to remind you:
Spring always comes.
God is faithful to refresh. To restore. To breathe new life into tired hearts. You may not feel it yet, but the sap is beginning to rise again. And just when you think you’ve got nothing left, He’ll bring water from the Rock and strength from His Spirit.
So don’t uproot yourself now. Stay planted. Stay close to the stream.
The fruit will come.
Reflection Questions
- What kind of root system am I building in this season of life?
- How can I nourish my faith daily, even when I feel dry?
- Who in my life might be finding rest in the “branches” of my faith?
You don’t have to be strong all the time. You just have to stay planted.
Jesus will sustain you. He is your Source.
With grace,
Audrey
© Audrey McCracken Creatives LLC, 2025
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