Creative prompt: A row of trees
I wonder where you feel rooted?
For this creative practice, we're going to paint a simple row of trees and spend some time wondering about our own roots, especially the people, places, practices, and truths that help us stay rooted in Jesus.
Paint or draw a row of trees, or color in this coloring page. Keep them simple. A trunk and a few branches are enough. Make each one different if you'd like. You can add roots beneath them, or leave the roots unseen.
As you work, hold this wondering: Where do I feel rooted?
You don't need to decide what your trees represent. Just paint and notice what comes to mind.
Wondering with Jesus
As you create, you might wonder:
Where do I feel most grounded and at home?
Who are the people who help me stay rooted?
What practices help me stay close to Jesus?
What truths about Jesus do I return to when life feels uncertain?
What has helped my roots grow deeper over time?
Is anything making me feel uprooted right now?
I wonder where Jesus is giving me what I need in this season?
I wonder what it means for my life to be rooted in his love?
You don't need to answer all of these.
Notice if one seems to catch your attention, and stay there for a while.
A Kid-Friendly Version
Invite kids to draw or paint a whole row of trees.
Make them as different as possible: tall trees, tiny trees, rainbow trees, fruit trees, trees with enormous leaves or trees with nests tucked into their branches.
Then draw some roots underneath.
You might wonder together:
What helps a tree grow strong?
What helps you feel strong and loved?
Who helps take care of you?
What helps you remember that Jesus loves you?
I wonder how Jesus helps us grow?
Let the conversation wander. Their answers don't need to fit neatly into the tree metaphor.
Rooted in Jesus
Being rooted in Jesus doesn't mean we always feel strong. Trees have seasons. They lose leaves. They grow new ones. They bend in storms. Sometimes very little seems to be happening above the ground at all. The roots remain.
Our life with Jesus can have seasons, too. There may be times when prayer feels easy and times when it doesn't. Times when we are growing in obvious ways and times when we can't see much happening. Our rootedness doesn't depend on constantly feeling close to God or getting our spiritual life exactly right.
We can keep returning to Jesus.
Jesus, what is helping me stay rooted in you right now?
And perhaps:
Where are you growing roots in me that I can't see yet?
You don't have to find an answer.
Just stay with Jesus for a little while and notice what comes.