Encouragement

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It was Christmas Eve and in winter timeliness, delicate, lace-like snowflakes began silently floating down toward the already chilled ground. The path they traveled varied as the wind's invisible fingers quickly captured them and flung them spinning haphazardly in all directions. Up and down, whirling and swirling - around and around they went like wispy tops made of cotton. Then, finally flung gently down, they covered everything they touched in their whiteness.

Instantly, around the Christmas tree lot ripples of merry laughter could be heard - along with dreamy sighs of, "It's snowing!" Last- minute shoppers searching for that special Christmas tree cheerfully welcomed the familiar tradition. Their dream of a white Christmas had come true.

Christmas Eve was drawing to a close, however, and nearly all the trees on the lot had been sold.

The late hour had caused the shoppers to be scurrying about to find just the right tree for their festivities. But now as the snowflakes began swirling about, they pulled their warm wraps more closely to them. Then, one by one, they made a hasty decision and hurried on out into the night to join their family and friends at home.

In a corner of the lot stood a very special little tree. It did not stand tall and stately as the others. Instead, its trunk had grown crooked and his top bent over in a bowed position.

The little crooked pine tree watched anxiously as each shopper glanced his way then quickly passed on by. This was the special moment he had been waiting for. As the time grew later his anticipation of being selected grew more intense.

"Very Soon," he thought confidently, "I'll be in a cozy warm room, all beautifully decorated, bringing delight to some little boy or girl." He smiled inside as he imagined how their eyes would sparkle as they danced gleefully around him on Christmas morning..

Now the shopping time was almost ended. The little crooked pine tree watched as one by one the other trees were being chosen. Finally, the little crooked pine was left standing all alone. And it seemed that his dream of being chosen to be a beautiful Christmas tree would never come true.

Have you wondered at times if you dreams will ever be fulfilled? Perhaps, to be honest you have lost all hope that it will. Do you think the little crooked pine tree's dreams ever come true? You can find out by reading this heart-warming E-book, entitled, "The Little Crooked Pine -a Christmas Story of Hope and Love." ©copyright 2008 www.menofagape.com

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