The Tree

From Mama Online:

The tree by *firesign24-7 on deviantART

You were once a small tree that was on its way to growing strong and tall, but then a storm came. The winds blew upon your little tree and shook its branches. The rains beat down your precious, much-adored leaves; you watched as they fell to the ground or were blown away by the strong winds.

After the storm had passed, you were barely strong enough to stand up. The remaining leaves were small and few; you felt ugly and weak. You had lost so much of what was dear to you and what you considered important.

“Ah, the sun has returned,” you said. “Now I’ll grow strong again and will reach high into the sky!” But you can’t lift your branches, you can’t stand tall again. You try, and you’re sure that you’ll be able to do it, but your branches are just too heavy. You don’t know what to do. “All is lost!” you cry to yourself.

Suddenly you feel strong hands upon your weak little frame, and a sturdy plank from an older tree is placed beside you. You’re fastened to it. You don’t understand what’s happening. You feel the aches and pains of being tied to this piece of wood and of being straightened again.

The Gardener tells you that it’s for your good. But you so wanted to prove that you could do it on your own. You feel that this help will prove that you are a weak tree that He’ll have to eventually prune way back, or possibly uproot altogether.

But soon you begin to grow stronger; new leaves start growing and your little branches are thickening. The Gardener comes to you and says, “I knew you could do it, little apple tree. I have great things planned for you! You will feed and nourish many. I knew there was hope. I knew that the storm wouldn’t knock you down.” He gently removes the plank that held you in place.

You feel wobbly at first, but when you feel the wind press against you, it doesn’t bend you over or break you. You’ve been made strong through the help of the plank. Your trunk is now sturdy, your leaves are more secure, and you even see little budding flowers—the beginning of the fruit that is soon to come!

So even if the winds of life bend you and batter you, remember that I can come and help you to stand tall. My Word, and the help of those who have gone before you, will give you the strength to stand strong again. There is hope for you, My little tree, for you are destined to stand strong and tall, reaching high into the sky!

-The Revig