The Three Trees

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams. The first tree wanted to a treasure chest where he could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems and he could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see his beauty. Then the second tree wished that he would be a mighty ship where he will take kings and queens across the large bodies of water. Finally the third tree wanted to grow as tall and straight as he could be so people can see him on top of the hill and look up to his branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them he is reaching. He wanted to be the greatest tree of all time.

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 new that the tree was strong and profitable enough to be sold to the carpenter and he began to cut it down. The first tree was very much delighted for he knew that his dreams of being a treasure chest is about to come true.

One of the woodsman noticed the second tree’s strength and thought of selling it to the shipyard. The second tree was happy when the woodsman began cutting him down for 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 that he didn't need anything special from the tree but still 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 it was 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.

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.