In the 1800s, Charles Lutwidge Dodson was born, lived, and died in England. He was a writer, photographer, mathematician, logician and more. He was also an Anglican deacon. However, he became best known as the author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. His pen name was Lewis Carroll.

Through the years, there have been a number of misconceptions and myths about Lewis Carroll. Through it all though, and while he has been deceased over a century, his words and works have remained as popular as ever. His writing is captivating and thought provoking. In both his well-known fictional works and in letters to friends there is depth… there is truth… there are roots.

Lewis Carroll wrote, “One of the deep secrets of life is that all that is really worth doing is what we do for others.” In other words, there is something greater than “myself.” While it is important to be the best I can be, it is even more important to know, and to be rooted in, why, and for whom, I am striving to be the best I can be. Is it for myself or is it for the greater good? What is it that is truly in my heart as I go along?

Jesus said, “… Some (seed) fell on rocky ground, where it had little soil. It sprang up at once because the soil was not deep, and when the sun rose it was scorched, and it withered for lack of roots” (Matthew 13:5-6).

We all need roots in order to be faithful and true as we stand, and withstand, whatever comes our way. However, roots cannot grow and take hold where there is not fertile soil.

We are not the seed. We are the soil. The seed is the image of God in which we are created. It can only grow and flourish when we use our free will to nurture it. It is our calling to provide an environment that allows the seed to catch root and grow. This happens through the grace of God.

Most often, when we truly turn our will over to God, we find ourselves growing in our capacity to experience life with a joy and love that reaches out and touches others. Maybe that is God’s way of saying, “Nurture the soil, and leave the rest up to me.”