Any parent knows, that part of training a child is continual reminding. This is called “instruction.” Once the child “retains” the instruction, he will apply it to his actions and decision making.
The act of training is not the province of parents alone – for our Heavenly Father is forever about the business of instructing us – and we – like recalcitrant children – do not always “retain” the teachings.
Since even the very ground we walk on, instructs us and reveals to us His glory and majesty – it behooves us to take notice of the lessons being offered, and to “keep” them within our hearts that they may be applied to our daily walk. The things that we need to learn, are not always obvious!
Proverbs 10:17
He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.
There is a famous song, dedicated to stopping and smelling the roses, and counting your many blessings along the way. Nice, but superficial. In the image of the great tree above, we can see that underground, the tree is even bigger than what is obvious. Could the tree survive without that massive root system? No. Nor can we flourish with out going deep, and holding onto the Word of God with tenacity, in the same way that the roots of the tree takes up water and nutrients from the soil. The Bible has so much to teach us, that if we put it aside for worldly pursuits and concerns – our plans will topple like a tree with no root system – and we will be nothing more than drift wood.
The Vine Vigil 
