Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They
were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree
said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with
gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate
carving and everyone would see the beauty."

Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I
will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of
the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my
hull."

Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest
and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of
the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God
and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time
and people will always remember me."

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true,
a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree
he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to
sell the wood to a carpenter," and he began cutting it down. The tree was
happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure
chest.

At the second tree the woodsman said, "This looks like a strong
tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was
happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was
frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not
come true.

One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from
my tree, I'll take this one," and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into
a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay.
This was not at all what he had prayed for The second tree was cut and
made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and
carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces
and left alone in the dark.

The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.
Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they
placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first
tree.

The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this
manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event
and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from
the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were
out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was
strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and He
stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped . At this time, the tree knew
that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried
through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When
they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air
to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize
that itwas strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close
to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The m oral of this story is that when things don't seem to be
going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your
trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what
they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know
what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways,
but His ways are always best.

May your day be blessed and may God
cradle you in the palm of His hand.

Let Us Journey On...