WORTH READING 13 July 2006

Beautiful Story of Dreams

Sometimes we get what we need and not what we want..........

Once there were 3 trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing
their
hopes & dreams when the 1st tree said, "Someday, I hope to be a treasure
chest. I could be filled with gold, silver & precious gems & be
decorated
with intricate carvings. Everyone would see my beauty."

The 2nd tree said, "Someday, I will be a mighty ship. I'll take kings &
queens across the waters & sail to the corners of the world. Everyone
will
feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."

Finally, the 3rd tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest &
straightest
tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill & look up to
my
branches & think of the heavens & God and how close to them I'm
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. One came to the 1st tree and 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 2nd tree, one of the other woodsman said, "This looks like a
strong
tree. I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The 2nd tree was
happy,
because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the 3rd tree, the tree was frightened,
because
it knew that, if it was cut down, its dreams would not come true. One of
the
woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree, so I'll take
this one," and he cut it down.

When the 1st tree arrived at the carpenter's, he was made into a feed
box
for animals, placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all
what
he had prayed for.

The 2nd tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of
being
a mighty ship & carrying kings had come to an end. The 3rd tree was cut
into
large pieces & left alone in the dark.

The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. Then a man &
woman came to the barn. She gave birth & they placed the baby in the hay
in
the feed box that was made from the 1st tree. The man wished that he
could
have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The
tree
could feel the importance of this event & 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 2nd
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 & 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 & got the 3rd tree. It was carried through the
streets, and the crowd mocked the man who was carrying it. Finally, the
man
was nailed to the tree & 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 & 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, HE 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.

------------------------------------------------------------------
YOUR WORTH READING, IS JUST A BLOG AWAY @
http://readingtimefolks.blogspot.com/
SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE FOR THIS MAILING LIST @
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/WorthReading

ALSO PLAYING AT A MAILING LIST NEAR YOU ::

QUOTATION OF THE DAY
--------------------
They inspire, they motivate and at times they tickle your funny bone.
But they never miss to touch your heart. Your daily supply of chosen
gems from the world of literature, ancient proverbs, poetry and sayings
from great leaders.

Join the Quote A Day mailing list @
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/QuotationOfTheDay
Or simply Blog it @
http://quotationoftheday.blogspot.com/

JOKE OF THE DAY
----------------
As wise men say, a joke a day keeps the doctor away. So step into the
health zone by sharing a hearty laugh. A variety of jokes that are
ludicrous and trivial, witty and wacky, spontaneous and sportive.
Wishing you a laugh riot.

Join the Joke of the Day mailing list @
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/JokeOfTheDay
Or simply go Blogging @
http://joketimefolks.blogspot.com/

18++
----
Indulge your dirty mind with some outright hilarious adult jokes. They
could be expletive or subtle but they are definitely rated - XXX.
Statutory Warning - 18++ may be injurious if your mommy sees it,
subscribe at your own risk.

Join the 18++ mailing list @
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/18PlusPlus
Or simply go Blogging @
http://18plusplus.blogspot.com/

********************** Legal Disclaimer ****************************
"This email may contain confidential and privileged material for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any unauthorized review, use or distribution by others is strictly prohibited. If you have received the message in error, please advise the sender by reply email and delete the message. Thank you."
**********************************************************************