Once there were three trees in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, “Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty.”
Then the second tree said, “Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull.”
Finally the third tree said, “I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me.”
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 said, “This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter,” and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.
At the second tree, the woodsman said, “This looks like a strong tree. I should be able to sell it to the shipyard.” The second tree was happy because he knew 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, “I don’t need anything special from my tree, I’ll take this one,” and he cut it down.
When the first tree arrived at the carpenter, 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 found 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.
The moral of this story is that 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, God 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.
WOW….Really heart touching . Thanks for reminding me how GOD executes his plans .
God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform. God words is wonderful thank you for such inspiring words God Bless and may you continued to do His work.
Blessings to you for sharing this inspiring message.
How true and inspiring this story is! am very encouraged & lifted. I have hope that my breakthrough has also come like that of the trees!
This story is a real touching one and it’s about the circumstances I’m facing right now. I feel like I’m the trees in this story. Thank you for reminding me of how mysterious and wonderful our God can be
God is good all the time and all the time God is good
This story reminded me that GOD is in control and knows the best for all His Children. Thank You for The Blessing!
Praise god.he really works in wonderful ways.
Known unto God are all His works, from the foundation of the world! We have been called to “follow the Lamb” not lead Him! – It is God that is working in His people, both to will and to do of His good pleasure, He knows where you will fit in eternity, so it only makes good sense that He would have to be the one to “hand pick” your trials!
WOW, This story tells me that in whatever situation I found myself, I should
always remember that “‘God is Good, all the time.
The problem with us is that if it doesn’t go exactly how we plan it, we become sullen and discouraged. Lessons learned:
* God answers our prayers, at His own time through a channel not familiar with us.
This story really blessed me
Every word is so true. We grumble when we dont get what we want. But when God gived us something….He simply makes sure He gives us the best. Oh praise God….words aint enough to praise our King of Kings. Amen.
Awesome story…I will share this for sure.
Thank you Lord, for i will be still and know you are God.
What a wonderful message, so encourageing and full of hope. Yes, our God answeres prayers
and I am so thankful that we have been given the prevelige to come to God and ask for any
thing. Thank you for this beautiful message that touched my heart. God bless.
Shanti.
this is a very touching story sometimes we blame others for not supporting our dreams or even bringing our dreams down forgetting that every thing happens for a reason and if we seek God more the reasons are always to our advantage.
stay blessed in God’s grace.
It gave me so mush of strength Yes I do agree that his ways are not our ways! vero
What a wonderful message i love the story so much the message it gives
Blessings to your ministry
GOD be with us all
This is indeed awesomeThis makes it real that,its only God who knows the end of all things.
Thank you very much for this story.. It moved me and really touched my heart. God bless you.
Great, very inspiring. I’m blessed by the the story. God bless you!