FOODFORTHOUGHT

'Why is God so good to me?" the young tree asked.

"Each of us has our time in the sun," said the elder tree.

It was another attempt on my part, I believe, to find the answers
that I so often pursue. I had wandered in search of reason, peace
and tranquility. It had taken me once again into the woods. It is
there that I re-discover my past. You see I believe that the trees
hold a bit of history. Perhaps even a piece of my life that I want
to re-visit.

I had come upon a clearing in the midst of the forest. I found this
spot in the glen just at the base of the hills I once passed through
in my younger, more adventurous days. I don't quite remember this
spot. But for me this place now was a haven of sorts and quite
unusual at that.

As thick as the forest was throughout my walk, this barren, empty
spot held but one small tree. As if set on an arena stage, this tree
no bigger than two feet in height, seemed scrawny and unlikely to
weather another winter.

I sat upon a fallen limb just on the edge of the circle. I reached
next to me and touched the bark of one of the tallest trees there.

"What life of mine do you hold inside? What part of you was here
when my ancestors lived, walked and loved this world? Could their
energy be a part of who you are right now?" I asked out loud.

Then standing and walking next to the tiny tree I leaned over and
held a branch feeling the life inside it.

"You, little one. What makes you think you can ever be as tall as
all the others?"

I then laid down on the ground next to the little tree and looking up
discovered what it was living for. There above us was a small
opening in the natural canopy. Today's dark clouds rushed by.

"So that is what you strive for." From this point of view I could
understand why it would want to reach that far.

Then standing I turned to the elders of this group and asked, "Tell
me why is it that God made trees to last for centuries, while only
permitting man to live so briefly?" I was yearning to see my
family. Maybe it was the approach of the holidays that sparked it
all.

I returned to my spot on the edge and wondered how this little one
could possibly grow. The big ones block out the sun.

I stared at it from a distance and connected with the idea of being
so small in such a big world. I understood, for I struggle to find
my spot in the world as a writer and speaker. I too, am surrounded
by giants.

Then suddenly the clouds that created this dreary day opened slightly
and a beam directed itself like a flood light pouring over the small
tree. It was wondrous and beautiful, a spectacle that left me in
awe. I rushed to the center and bathed in the spot light and in
unison the tree and I responded. I raised my hands skyward and it
basked in the warmth of the sun. We questioned, "God, why are you so
good to me?"

"Each of us has our time in the sun," I felt the elder trees
respond.

"Man was created in the Light from his birth until his passing. Your
life is your time in the sun," said God in my heart.

As the light faded I walked off to the side and thinking about it
all, I remembered the story about a child asking his father, "How
tall does a tree grow?" The Father recognizing this as an
extraordinary chance to teach a young child about life's
possibilities said, "As tall as it can!"

The difference is a tree, with it's predetermined blueprint for
growth, can only grow to be one thing. But God in His Wisdom created
each human to be unique and one of a kind. Our possibilities are
endless.

I also discovered that the energy and spirit of my loved ones are not
to be found in the things around me. They all dwell inside me
wherever I go. I am the best of each of them combined in such a way
that I can only fail if I fail to try.

So my friend, how far can you go in your time in the sun?

"As far as you can!"

"I believe in You!"
Bob Perks
Bob@BobPerks.com

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