The Story of Three Trees

The Three Trees

Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up. The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: " I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I'll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!" The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on it's way to the ocean. " I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings. I'll be the strongest ship in the world! The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. I don't want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me they'll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world.
Years, passed. The rain came, the sun shone and the little trees grew tall. One day three wood cutters climbed the mountain. The first wood cutter looked at the first tree and said, "This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining ax, the first tree fell. "Now I shall make a beautiful chest, I shall hold wonderful treasure!" the first tree said.
The second wood cutter looked at the second tree and said, "This tree is strong. It's perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining ax, the second tree fell. "Now I shall sail mighty waters!" thought the second tree. " I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!"
The third tree felt her heart sink when the last wood cutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven. But the wood cutter never even looked up. "Any kind of tree will do for me." He muttered. With a swoop of his shining ax, the third tree fell.
The first tree rejoiced when the wood cutter brought her to a carpenter's shop. But the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feed box for animals. The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold, or treasure. She was coated with saw dust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals. The second tree smiled when the wood cutter took her to a shipyard, but no mighty sailing ship was made that day. Instead the once strong tree was hammered and awed into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail to an ocean, or even a river, instead she was taken to a little lake. The third tree was confused when the wood cutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard. "What happened?" The once tall tree wondered. " All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God..."
Many days and nights passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams. But one night, golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feed box. "I wish I could make a cradle for him." Her husband whispered. The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and sturdy wood. " This manger is beautiful." She said. And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.
One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake. Soon a thundering and a thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She new she did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through the wind and the rain. The tired man awoke. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said, "Peace." The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. And suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the king of heaven and earth.
One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten wood pile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hand to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel. But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God's love had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong. And every time people thought of the third tree, they would think of God. That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.
The next time you feel down because you didn't get what you wanted, sit tight and be happy because God is thinking of something better to give you

For everything there is a season

We got our very first call! Our case worker called and had a newborn baby that needed a place to stay for a little while. He was fresh out of the oven and we'd need to pick him up from the hospital. I was so excited, but sad. Tim and I aren't interested in getting a baby. We're not prepared for a baby. We're not prepared to take 6 weeks off work with no pay to care for a baby. So I declined. I know there is a family out there just waiting for a baby. And it's not us. We'd prefer the 2-8 year old age range.

It made me really sad that a child had just entered the world and didn't have a safe place to call home. I was sad that some woman carried a baby for 9 months and now wasn't allowed to take it home. This is the part of foster care that I don't like. In order for a kid to come into my home, a bad situation has to happen. It could be drugs, alcohol, abuse, sickness, or maybe even death. My kids will come with baggage. Lots of baggage. I pray for my kids daily, but sometimes I feel selfish for asking that they come soon. I don't think a child should ever endure the type of things my children must go through to get to my home. It really breaks my heart, but this is the route God has planned for me. Each day that the bunk beds in the kid room remain empty is another day that my kids have with their birth family and another day that they physically don't need me yet. Maybe I should just start thanking God for their safety and thanking Him that they don't need me yet. I am thankful that God nows my heart and hears my prayers.


For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace.
God has made everything beautiful for its own time.
~Ecclesiastes 3

An Update

I am horrible at keeping up with this blog. Absolutely horrible.

So I'm still making people smile. I've done things that cost nothing (helping a mom load her groceries into her car, holding the door, allowing people to move ahead of me in line, encouraging phone calls, etc.) I've done things that cost money (bought gas for a few people, purchased a few meals, mailed a few cards, purchased gifts for an angel tree kid, etc.) It's become a part of my life now. It's really fun and I enjoy making a difference. Even just a small difference.

Tim and I are about to make a huge difference in the life of a child. We are unable to have our own kids, and have really felt called to be foster parents. We attended 11 weeks of class, had 2 home evaluations, completed lots and lots of paperwork, and prayed about this decision. We are now approved foster parents and we're waiting anxiously to get a call from our case worker.

Foster care is something a lot of people really don't understand and are afraid of. I agree. It's scary. What kind of kids will we get? Will they be healthy? Will they have been abused physically, sexually, verbally, emotionally? How long will they stay? How many will come? When will they come? Are they cold right now? How old will they be? What will they call me? Are they hungry? Will they like mac & cheese? Will I be a good parent?

I am nervous, excited, scared, and anxious all in one. I have been called to love the unloved, the broken hearted, the children left behind. It's not going to be easy, but I know God is equipping me daily for this new job.  I can't wait for the pitter patter of little feet.

Luke 9:48  "Then Jesus said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”

Smile. It's Contagious

Smiles for today:
* At McDonalds this morning, I paid for the car behind me. They only purchased a cup of coffee, but I'm sure it made a differnce in their day.
* While driving to and from work, I allowed a car to merge into traffic, stopped to allow a person to cross the street while not using the crosswalk, and i didn't honk my horn and get frustrated with the car that cut me off.
* I attempted to say hello, smile, and say have a good day to every customer that came in the bank. Not many people can resist smiling back when they've been smiled at. It's contagious.


“If you see a friend without a smile; give him one of yours.”

Day 1

So today began my journey of making people smile.
* I started the day by making an award certificate for a co-worker that had run faster than me during a recent 5K. I had our boss sign it and present it to her. The result= an embarassed co-worker.
* I stopped at a gas station and got in checkout line behind an older lady buying some doughnuts and pop. I kindly asked if I could pay for her items. I think she was at first offended. "Do I look poor or sick?" she says. I explain that I have made it my goal to make someone smile everyday. She tells me to save my money for someone else. I buy my gum and leave.
*I bought a pizza for lunch and shared with a co-worker. I didn't see her smile, but I'm sure she appreciated it.
* I contacted the Department for Community Based Services and signed up for the informational class about being Foster and Adoptive parents. this may not seem like a smile making thing, but it definietely made me smile. Tim and I are ready to take the next steps in expanding our family, which will result in many more smiles to come.



“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” ~ Leo F. Buscaglia

Bring on the smiles :)

I recently made a bucket list. A list of things I wish to accomplish in life before I kick the bucket. One of those items is to daily make someone smile. What better way to spread the love of Jesus than by making someone smile. Begining tomorrow, September 8th, 2010, I will begin my journey of spreading kindness and becoming more like Jesus. I know this will be a rewarding journey and I'm excited to see how Jesus uses me to be His hands and feet in my everyday life.

"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better & happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.' ~Mother Teresa