Dying Dead Things

Sometimes the things that once held us back no longer have the same hold on us. The problem is, we may not realize it because we stopped trying a long time ago.In this reflective episode, I share the story of a stubborn tree stump that remained in my yard for years. I dug around it, struck its roots, and tried repeatedly to remove it, but nothing worked. Eventually, I accepted that it wasn't going anywhere and learned to live with it.Then one day, I struck one of those roots again.This time, it broke.Something had changed beneath the surface, even though I hadn't seen it happening. The roots that once held the stump firmly in place had been slowly deteriorating. My perception was based on an old reality.That experience made me wonder how often we do the same thing in our own lives. We may continue making room for old fears, past failures, hurt, resentment, destructive habits, or outdated beliefs about ourselves because previous attempts to overcome them were unsuccessful. But circumstances change. We change. And sometimes, what once seemed immovable has been quietly losing its grip.At the same time, not everything that appears lifeless is dead. Some things need attention. Some need healing. Some need time. Some need another season to grow. The challenge is developing the discernment to recognize the difference between something that needs nurturing and something whose season has truly ended.In this episode, I reflect on evaluating the roots, recognizing what may no longer have the power it once possessed, letting go of what no longer produces life, and making room for something new to grow.Maybe it's time to check the roots again.