Once upon a time, three small trees stood on a hill in the woods. As they were discussing their hopes and dreams for the future, the first tree said, "Someday, I will be a treasure chest, filled with diamonds
and gold and precious gems. I will be decorated with intricate carvings and everyone will see my beauty."

The second tree said, "Someday, I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters.
I will sail to the four corners of the Earth, and everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my
hull."

Finally, the third three said, "Someday, I will be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. When people
see me standing on top of this hill, they will know how close I am to touching God, Himself. I will be 
the greatest tree of all time, and people will always remember me."

After years of praying that thier dreams would come true, one day, a group of woodsmen entered the forest. "This looks like a strong tree,' the first woodsman said. "I think I should be able to sell this wood to a carpenter." As he began to chop down the tree, the tree was happy, because he knew he would finally become a treasure chest.

The second woodsman said, "And this looks like a fine tree, too. I should be able to sell it to a shipyard." And the second tree was happy, also, because he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

But when the third woodsman came up the third tree, the tree was frightened, because he knew if he were to be cut down, his dream of becoming the tallest tree in the forest would never come true. Then the third woodsman said, "I need some firewood. This tree should suit my needs." And the third tree was so sad because he was cut down as he knew he could never fulfill his dream at all.

Unfortunately, when the first tree arrived at the carpenter shop, 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 he had prayed for.

The second tree was cut and made into a fishing boat, and his dreams of becoming a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end.

But the woodsman who cut down the third tree died shortly thereafter, and his tree never did become a firewood. It was cut into a large logs, and the logs laid on the cold ground all winter.

As the years went by, the three trees had forgotten about thier hopes and dreams. then, one day, a young man and woman entered the barn. She gave birth and laid the baby in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished he could have built a crib for his child, but this manger would have to do. Even though the tree didn't realize it, he was holding the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got into a boat made from the second tree. While they were asleep, a terrible storm arose. One of the men raised his arms and said, "Peace," and the storm stopped. Even though the tree didn't realize it, he was carrying the greatest King of all time.

And a short while after that, the third tree was being dragged through the streets of Jerusalem, and the people mocked the Man who was carrying it, And when the tree came to stop, it was raised high into the air, and it stood on top of a hill for all to see, and it came as close to touching God as was possible.

LESSON: "God has a plan for your life. Once you fail, there is a purpose why is that so. Like the three trees, they got what they wanted, but not in the way they imagined." -- Razul Sandayan

copyright @ Razul Sandayan 2004

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