Trees on a Rock: Finding Life in Hard Places

"Sometimes God plants you in hard places, not to punish you — but to prove that you can still bloom there." — Tonyelle Speaks

There I was — sitting at Stone Mountain with my grandbabies, waiting on the sun to clock out so the light show could do its thing. It was one of those rare, sweet moments of pause... kids laughing, parents doing their best to wrangle toddlers like little wild goats, and me — just sitting still, breathing in the moment.

But then I saw it.

This big ol’ rock. I mean huge. Stone Mountain is really just that — a massive piece of stone sitting loud and proud right in the middle of Georgia. And as we’re sitting there admiring the view, something caught my eye.

There were trees — full trees — growing right on top of that rock.

Now wait a minute.

A mountain? Sure, I get that. Mountains have streams, dirt, and enough life underneath to support growth. But a rock? A solid, hard, stubborn piece of stone? That didn’t sit right with me. How can life grow on top of something so dry… so unmovable… so unlikely?

And just like that — revelation whispered.

→ Isn’t that just like life?

Sometimes we look at a situation — a person — even ourselves — and all we see is the rock. Hard. Rough. Stubborn. Dry. Unchanging. Unlikely.

But we forget… we don't know what’s happening beneath the surface.

Just because you see rock doesn't mean there isn’t life happening underneath. There could be water flowing deep below. There could be cracks just wide enough to carry nourishment to the roots. There could be tiny pockets of soil perfectly positioned by the Creator Himself to cradle life in the most unexpected places.

Listen… God knows how to sustain what He’s planted — even in hard places.

Maybe you feel like you’ve been stuck on top of a rock lately. Dry season. Stagnant season. Everybody else blooming in gardens and grassy fields… and here you are — just trying to stay rooted on a stone.

But can I encourage you today?

→ If God can cause trees to grow on top of a rock…

→ If He can bring beauty out of a dry place…

→ If He can sustain life where there shouldn’t be life…

Then surely, He can do the same for you.

You are not forgotten. You are not overlooked. You are not planted in the wrong place. You are planted with purpose — right where you need to be — for such a time as this.

That tree on the rock at Stone Mountain? It’s not supposed to make sense. That’s the point. It’s not about conditions — it’s about the Creator. And when God plants something — even in hard places — He will sustain it.

So maybe today you feel like that tree — standing on stone, questioning your growth, wondering how you’re still here. But you are. You’re still standing. Still rooted. Still growing.

Proof that God’s hand is on your life — even when life looks rocky.

“The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord Shall flourish in the courts of our God.” — Psalm 92:12-13 (NKJV)

Let's Pray About It:

Lord, thank You for being the Master Creator — the One who sees beyond what I see. Thank You for planting me, even in the rocky places of life. Remind me that what looks hard, dry, or impossible to me is never too difficult for You. Help me to trust the process, stay rooted in Your Word, and grow gracefully even when my surroundings don’t look favorable. Let me be like those trees on the rock — standing tall, standing strong, standing with purpose — because I am sustained by You and You alone. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If this spoke to your heart, share it with a friend. And keep growing… even on the rock.