It was a lovely day at the beginning of spring, a great day for a walk in the forest. The birds were singing a melodious chorus.
I passed a pine tree with a fragrance divine. Pine tree, pine tree, what can you tell me?
Said the pine, “I love how God made me with such a sweet fragrance. Oh, I could whine and cry because I don't have lovely white blossoms like the pear, but what would that declare to my Maker. I'm just glad He made me, me.”
I walk on and see the mighty oak, so tall and regal. It's branches are lifted high, almost touching the sky. Mighty oak, how are you today?
“I'm feeling sublime. God blesses me all the time. He's given me sunshine and rain. Yes, there are storms, but I have deep roots so I'll continue to stand. People and animals enjoy my shade and lovely branches.”
This trail is marvelous. Oh, look there's a splendid ornamental pear with all its white blossoms. Pear tree, tell me your story, please!
“God gave me a special task. My gorgeous white blossoms signal the start of spring. I'm not about to complain. Sometimes my lovely branches are easily broken, but I'll try to keep doing what God wants me to for as long as I'm able.”
Now there's a lovely pecan tree. I enjoy eating the nuts it produces. Come with me while I talk to her. Miss pecan, what can you tell me about yourself?
“Thank you for asking. I'm so blessed. People enjoy eating the nuts I produce and I help the squirrels by providing for their winter feast. There are those who complain about the nuts that fall from my branches onto the ground. Silly ones, if they would just pick up these treats and eat them, I'm sure they'd feel so differently.”
Next on my walk I see a lot of lovely evergreens. They have a nice fragrance, too. Evergreen tree, why are you so happy today?
“I am just enjoying being me. Some people don't like me. They may think I smell lovely, but they
say I have such sticky branches. Where would they be in December without me? There are still many
who enjoy my fresh smell to help celebrate their Christmas. So I'll just not listen to the criticism. I'll just keep on being who and what I'm meant to be.”
As people we can learn lessons from the trees. We are not all alike, but God has a purpose for each one of us. We can be happy about it and do our best; or we can complain that we are too short, too tall or our nose is too small or too big. We don't have this talent or that one so we never live up to our potential. We're too busy trying to be someone else. We're just not pleased with how God made us. We don't even realize that others look at us and say they wish they were like us in some way.
Please, listen to the trees. They thanked God for the task He gave them to do and spent their time praising Him and being the best they could be.
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Judy, I appreciate the thoughts of the trees. The world tells us such lies about not being good enough and so often we listen. Think I'll listen to this lovely maple right outside my window and praise God for being able to use me the way He made me!
