Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy - Psalm 86:1 Sometimes people wonder why prayers are not answered promptly, or why the reply is not what they expected. The following story will help them to understand: “Three large trees in a forest prayed that they might choose what they would be converted into when they were felled. One prayed to be made into a beautiful palace; the second, to be a large ship to sail the seven seas; the third to stay in the forest and always point toward God. One day the woodman came and chopped down the first tree, but instead of a palace, it was made into a common stable, wherein was born the fairest Babe in all creation. The second tree was made into a small ship that was launched on the Sea of Galilee, on the deck of which stood a tall young man who told the multitudes: `I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’ The third tree was made into a cross, and to it men nailed that young man, the loveliest personality that ever walked the earth. Ever since then, that cross has been pointing men to God. And so each prayer was answered.” - Author unknown. |
