Hurricanes and Redwood Trees

This period in 2020 has been painful for so many, in part because we have so little control over what is happening around us. Normally, we are the type of people who are in charge of what is going on. But given the happenings since mid-March, a feeling of victimization and helplessness can quickly spread if we are not careful and vigilant about our emotions.

Which is why I want to share a story with you about some record-breaking storms and some record-breaking sized trees. Yes, storms and trees.

It was early September of this year and two hurricanes were about to make landfall at the same time. This has never happened before in recorded history.

And as these storms were doing their damage, amazingly, three other hurricanes formed. We had a total of five storms in the Atlantic and the Gulf. This has also never happened before in recorded history. Welcome to 2020 - We are in Jumanji level 10.

Hurricanes, of course, can cause huge damage. This is true in real life, but it is also true as a metaphor. And hasn't life in 2020 felt like massive storm after massive storm has buffeted us? We had to deal with worried clients and teammates, scared family members, and very concerned children and parents. We have had social unrest, economic crisis and a political firestorm from all sides. Many of us felt like we had to lead when we were scared ourselves. When the entire family - corporate and home -is looking for leadership and you are dealing with your own gremlins, how do you stand in the fore and face down the metaphorical hurricane?

One answer is this: when your root system connects with other root systems, you will be immovable.

Have you had the opportunity to see a Redwood forest? Several years ago, Karen and I toured the Muir Woods national monument near San Francisco. My jaw dropped and I could barely process the beauty and massiveness of the great redwood trees. We walked around and I began thinking back through my world history and remembering things that were happening in the year 1000 or 1200 when these trees were saplings.

Redwoods are the largest trees on earth. Over thousands of years they can grow to incredible heights of 300 feet tall, a total of 30 stories. They can grow to be 30 feet in diameter.

But here's the thing, despite the enormity of their size, redwood roots are very shallow. In fact, a 30-story tree may have roots that are 4-5 feet deep. So how do they weather storms? How does the tallest tree in the world deal with extreme headwinds?

Even though they are tall and big, and despite the shallow root system, the roots grow WIDE. And as they do so, the roots interconnect with other redwoods. And as those connections form, the bond grows tighter and tighter. In fact, those enormous trees are virtually immovable and protected from even the strongest winds.

We are all in this together as a community. You and your friends – in fact all of us have a collective struggle - but we have started joining at our roots. And the more entangled they become the more we become UNSTOPPABLE.

Let's expand at the root level and reinforce our ability to withstand even the strongest storm. And when we do, we will be able to be the leaders so many in our midst need. Your workmates and your family will know they can rely on you. Because you are the tall tree in the forest, connected to many other tall trees.

Strong roots joined together will get us through COVID 19. In fact, joining together will get us through ANYTHING.

Stay strong, grow tall, and join hands with your friends. This is the success strategy for any storm.

Credit to David Walters, Senior Pastor at Alpharetta First Methodist for first sharing these ideas in his sermon. I’m glad to be able to add my personal spin and share with a different audience, David. Thank you.