A Tale of A Tree
For the first 11 years of my life, my family lived in a small home out in the suburbs. And for as far back as I can remember, in the front yard there stood a tiny sprout of a fruit tree, barely more than a twig. I remember being fascinated by this small living thing, dreaming of the great tree that it might grow into. Yet, year in and year out, that tiny sprout never grew, but instead remained no more than a stick in the ground. To my young, impatient eyes, it was both frustrating and terribly discouraging. At times, we weren't even sure that it was still living--and if it wasn't already dead, it seemed doomed to be so.
By the time we moved out into a another house a few doors down the road, the tiny stick in our front yard still stood no more than about 18 inches above the ground. And we were all but convinced that that was all that it would ever be.
But then, over the following years, a curious thing started to happen. When we passed by, we noticed that that tiny tree was no longer a stick--tiny branches were starting to appear, and it had suddenly grown taller. Apparently the new tenants of the home knew something about cultivating plants, and, under their gentle hands, the tree which once held no promise had begun to flourish.
When I returned as an adult many years later, I passed by my old family home, and was astounded at what I found: in place of that once tiny, ugly, barren stick was a mighty tree that towered strong and proud some twenty feet in the air. It's beautiful branches were adorned with thick, lush foliage and fruit, and birds found respite in its shade. It was truly a lovely, inspiring sight to behold. Even more, it seemed nothing short of a Miracle.
But why had it taken so long to grow? What had kept it all but dead and lifeless for the first 10 years of its life? The answer came in a way that was both humbling and sobering. The stark reality of it was, that WE were the reason why it couldn't and wouldn't grow. WE were the reason why it remained in that stinted, depressed state. We knew nothing of how to care for and tend it. And, in our flawed, immature, hyper attentions to it, I and my rag-tag gaggle of siblings had all but destroyed it. As a result, we never got to experience the joy of watching it grow and flourish. We never got to relax in its shade. We never got to taste of its fruit. We had missed all the blessings associated with a truly beautiful and wonderful thing, and the loss was all our own fault.
To this day, that Tree has stood as a symbol and a reminder to me of 2 things:
First, never assume that because an individual, a goal, dream, or vision is taking a long time to show any signs of promise, that they are/it is in some way an indication of their future and real potential. You have no idea what is happening in hidden places under the surface, nor of where (with enough love, nurture, patience, and tender persistence) that person might be in 20-30 years. You have no idea how great a thriving enterprise might be started by the seeming worthless vision of another individual.
And secondly, don't be the reason that another person is held back from fulfilling their purpose. Don't be another harsh force that keeps them down and barely clinging to life, and the dreams and visions they were once so bright-eyed and excitedly optimistic about. If you have walked with an individual for any length of time, and still see no progress in their lives, dreams, and goals, perhaps it is time to ask yourself an honest, painful question:
Am I the reason why they aren't going anywhere? Am I TRULY encouraging them in what they believe God has called them to do, or am I trying to force them to become what it is that I feel they ought to be? Am I the reason why they and their dreams are dying, instead of thriving?
Today, CHOOSE to be the gentle hand that cultivates the gifts of another. Be the steady voice of encouragement that breathes life back into them while they are facing futility and failure, and all hope seems to have died.
You never know what Miracles may grow from your simple acts of love, steadfast patience, and kindness.
"...And now, these three remain: Faith, Hope, and Love. But the greatest of these, is LOVE."
--I Cor. 13:13
By the time we moved out into a another house a few doors down the road, the tiny stick in our front yard still stood no more than about 18 inches above the ground. And we were all but convinced that that was all that it would ever be.
But then, over the following years, a curious thing started to happen. When we passed by, we noticed that that tiny tree was no longer a stick--tiny branches were starting to appear, and it had suddenly grown taller. Apparently the new tenants of the home knew something about cultivating plants, and, under their gentle hands, the tree which once held no promise had begun to flourish.
When I returned as an adult many years later, I passed by my old family home, and was astounded at what I found: in place of that once tiny, ugly, barren stick was a mighty tree that towered strong and proud some twenty feet in the air. It's beautiful branches were adorned with thick, lush foliage and fruit, and birds found respite in its shade. It was truly a lovely, inspiring sight to behold. Even more, it seemed nothing short of a Miracle.
But why had it taken so long to grow? What had kept it all but dead and lifeless for the first 10 years of its life? The answer came in a way that was both humbling and sobering. The stark reality of it was, that WE were the reason why it couldn't and wouldn't grow. WE were the reason why it remained in that stinted, depressed state. We knew nothing of how to care for and tend it. And, in our flawed, immature, hyper attentions to it, I and my rag-tag gaggle of siblings had all but destroyed it. As a result, we never got to experience the joy of watching it grow and flourish. We never got to relax in its shade. We never got to taste of its fruit. We had missed all the blessings associated with a truly beautiful and wonderful thing, and the loss was all our own fault.
To this day, that Tree has stood as a symbol and a reminder to me of 2 things:
First, never assume that because an individual, a goal, dream, or vision is taking a long time to show any signs of promise, that they are/it is in some way an indication of their future and real potential. You have no idea what is happening in hidden places under the surface, nor of where (with enough love, nurture, patience, and tender persistence) that person might be in 20-30 years. You have no idea how great a thriving enterprise might be started by the seeming worthless vision of another individual.
And secondly, don't be the reason that another person is held back from fulfilling their purpose. Don't be another harsh force that keeps them down and barely clinging to life, and the dreams and visions they were once so bright-eyed and excitedly optimistic about. If you have walked with an individual for any length of time, and still see no progress in their lives, dreams, and goals, perhaps it is time to ask yourself an honest, painful question:
Am I the reason why they aren't going anywhere? Am I TRULY encouraging them in what they believe God has called them to do, or am I trying to force them to become what it is that I feel they ought to be? Am I the reason why they and their dreams are dying, instead of thriving?
Today, CHOOSE to be the gentle hand that cultivates the gifts of another. Be the steady voice of encouragement that breathes life back into them while they are facing futility and failure, and all hope seems to have died.
You never know what Miracles may grow from your simple acts of love, steadfast patience, and kindness.
"...And now, these three remain: Faith, Hope, and Love. But the greatest of these, is LOVE."
--I Cor. 13:13
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