Trellis of Life
Support in life is essential, we all need a trellis to lean upon, cling to, and branch out from. This support framework built around us keeps us upright. Often we focus on the support we see, but there are all forms of support both physical and emotional. Sometimes this support is solid and strong. Sometimes it is invisible, bending and seemingly non-essential.
For example, my Clematis trellis is solid and strong. It will not bend or break under pressure. This trellis is the foundation for which the plant can cling to, grow tall and flourish with beauty. The surprising thing about this scenario is the plant has struggled for years to grow tall and strong. In fact, I cut it to the ground last fall, hoping to give it new life. This spring I also gave it a different kind of support. This new support system is bending, changing, nearly invisible, but the plant is clinging to it and growing tall.
The new support system is fishing line tied and woven throughout the trellis. Even though this support is new and could wear out eventually, it has given new life to an established plant. Looking at my Clematis, watching it climb and grow I am reminded that we need our roots and the solid support systems in place, but we must also recognize the invisible support we need to flourish. It is when we lose touch with our internal support system that we struggle emotionally and often physically too.
This past Mother’s Day without Ava was very difficult, it beat me up emotionally. I struggled to feel anything but sadness, yet felt forced to put a smile on my face. Even though I clung to my solid trellis, but my grip was slipping. I had to reach deep inside and remember my invisible support. I had to focus on my faith, my internal strength, the goals and challenges I put in my life to grow and become a better person. These are invisible to everyone and can be lost easily. They are self-created, ever-changing, and replaceable, but they are essential to a life that flourishes even in the hardest of times.
What support systems do you rely on to grow and flourish in life? Do you find yourself focusing on the solid, unchanging support systems yet feel like there is nothing to cling to? I found myself often disappointed in life and I could not understand why. I had the “perfect” life, with all the support systems in place that I thought I needed. The work, the family, the home, etc. yet I often felt grounded, trying to reach the next rung, but failing to get there. I wanted to grow and reach for the sun, but I focused on what was in front of me and not what was inside me.
I am still stringing fishing line from rung to rung of my trellis. In fact, I will be stringing new lines forever, replacing broken ones, creating new ones, filling gaps. I am branching out to new experiences both big and small and taking the time to be patient and listen to my emotional needs.
I still struggle regularly to reach the next rung, but instead of focusing on how far away it is, I try to see what I can do to shorten the gap? Can I reach out for help, instead of beating myself up? Is there a way I can pay it forward and in turn bounce off the emotional boost? Maybe there’s a scripture that will give me the peace I need to move forward? How about a hobby or activity that will calm my soul, instead of letting the anger and frustration build?
A friend of mine shared this scripture this morning and I felt it fitting to share here.
