In the late 80’s scientists constructed a research facility in Arizona called Biosphere 2. It was built to study the interaction between life systems in a controlled environment, even with thoughts of usage in outer space.
It was outfitted with representative biomes to let nature run its course: rainforest, ocean, wetlands, savannah, and desert were built in. Several people also lived there for a while.
There are many articles about the study, and I think you can actually visit it if COVID-19 ever allows us to travel again, but one of the observations from this study I found fascinating was the trees.
The trees in the biosphere grew beautifully until they reached a certain height and then, for no apparent reason, fell over. It happened time and time again.
The researchers were fascinated by this phenomena and pondered what was going on. They found that the bark was thinner, the wood softer and the roots didn’t go down as deeply as trees in the wild. They eventually realised what was missing from the Biosphere. It was wind. Wind in nature stresses the trees, so they dig their roots deeper to withstand it and grow thicker bark to protect themselves. In the Biosphere the trees looked beautiful, but fell. The stress of the wind was essential for them to grow successfully into the future.
“The stresses we all endure create opportunities for deeper growth.”
This year at Emmanuel the wind is blowing. Last year we endured the winds of COVID-19 shutdown, Infant block refurbishment and playground renovation. This year we have just handed over the Primary block for refurbishment and watched as the Infant block was joyfully returned to. Throughout this all I have watched as children and parents and teachers and staff have grown their roots down deep and built up resilient bark and grown more than any of us could have without the stresses placed in our way.
The stresses we all endure create opportunities for deeper growth. Let’s lean into the wind. Let’s grow our roots deep. We, at Emmanuel, also understand that there is a God who loves us all and is there cheering for us and walking beside us as we endure all kinds of winds.
Annie Joy - Primary Coordinator