There are times while driving down a road, I see it—the ordinary that I view as extraordinary. It might be a field of cotton, an old church with a steeple that has seen many people pass through its doors, or someone’s flower garden where I know and understand its beauty comes from time and sweat spent digging in the dirt. But then, at times, I see something that inspires me for no reason at all. The “old Mississippi tree” is one of those.

While visiting family in Mississippi, as my brother and I traveled down a dusty back road, I spotted an enormous tree. It was old and ragged with no leaves and stood next to a rusty barbed-wire fence barely held together with rotted posts. The damaged tree and the run-down fence were quite the pair. Both had seen their better days, but I saw beauty and a story to be told. 

At my request, my brother stopped the car and pulled over to the edge of the road. I grabbed my camera from the back seat and stood in overgrown weeds to capture as many images of the tree’s trunk and limbs that I could. I considered crossing the fence for a better view, but it was July, and in Mississippi, there is always the possibility of a snake hiding in the bushes or tall weeds.

Satisfied that I had enough photos to capture the story of the tree, I placed my camera securely in its bag and slid into the front passenger seat.

My brother sat for a moment with a look of puzzlement on his face, then said, “I guess there are some things that are hard to explain.”

“Apparently so,” I responded with a slight grin. We both had a good laugh as he cranked the car, and we headed on down the road.

From the time it was an acorn until it became a mighty oak, if the tree could talk, I’m sure there are many stories it could tell of the things it has seen and the changes it has encountered through the years.  

More likely than not, on a hot southern day many years ago, cattle sought shelter underneath the tree’s beautiful branches. Perhaps a farmer repairing the old fence found relief from the blistering sun as he rested underneath the tree’s canopy.

My cousin Allen, who lived in the area at the time I first saw the tree, asked the question, “How long do you think it took for the old oak tree to get that size?” It was more of a statement than a question. You can tell from the trunk that it was once a towering, strong tree. Perhaps it’s still standing because its roots run deep. Lesson for us: do what it takes to grow strong roots. When storms come, it is deep “roots” that keep us grounded.

The tree has weathered many storms but is still standing even though it’s not as upright as it was in its prime. My friend Suzanne said it looked as if it bent over to reach down and touch me as I passed by.  The tree is close to the place where I lived as a little girl. Perhaps Suzanne is right; maybe its purpose is to remind me of how quickly life passes, and we should never miss the opportunity to make memories with those we love.

Pause and Reflect

When you look at this picture, what do you see? Consider these points.

1. Beauty that endures doesn’t depend on perfection.
That old tree, stripped and leaning, still carries a presence that stopped you in your tracks. There’s a kind of beauty that only comes with age, wear, and weather—one that can’t be rushed or replicated.

2. Roots matter more than appearance.
What kept that oak standing wasn’t its branches or leaves but it was what lay hidden beneath. In life, the unseen work of faith, character, perseverance is what steadies us when storms come.

3. Time is both a sculptor and a storyteller.
Every crack in that trunk, every sag in that fence, holds a memory. The tree reminds us that our days are shaping something, whether we notice it or not. The question becomes: what kind of story are we letting time tell through us?

Where Do We Go From Here?

1. Tend to your roots on purpose.
Life doesn’t deepen by accident. Just like that oak, strength is built over time. Invest in what anchors you—faith, family, integrity, daily habits that don’t make headlines but make a life. “But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever” Psalm 52:8.

2. Stand faithfully in every season.
You won’t always be in your “full bloom” years and that’s alright. The tree didn’t stop being valuable when it lost its leaves. There’s dignity in simply remaining, staying put when things change.

3. Leave something worth remembering.
This old tree made me stop and pull over on the side of that dirt road. Think about that. A life well-lived leaves a mark, not for attention, but for meaning. Small acts, faithfulness, love given freely are the things that last longer than we do.

There’s something firmly rooted and unshakable when we  consider the old Mississippi tree. It calls us to grow deep, stand firm, and live in such a way that even a brief encounter can leave a deep impression.

Let’s Pray

Lord, teach us to see as You see, to recognize beauty where the world might pass it by. Help us grow deep roots in faith and truth, so when life bends us, it does not break us. Remind us that every season has purpose, and that even in wear and age, there is grace, strength, and testimony of Your faithfulness. Let our life tell a story worth remembering. In Jesus name, amen.

If this reflection about the Old Mississippi Tree stirred something in you, take a moment to listen to “Open the Eyes of My Heart” by Paul Baloche. Baloche, a longtime worship pastor and songwriter, penned this simple yet heartfelt prayer out of a desire to truly see God, not just in big moments, but in everyday life. As you listen, you may find your perspective gently shifting, your heart becoming more aware of God’s presence in places you might have overlooked. This song reminds us that the extraordinary has been there all along—we just need our eyes opened to it.