The Crooked Tree
by Toni Star
(Ohio)
The other day, after going through a trying time with several individuals I saw something interesting that gave me some clarity on the situation.
I was sitting in the car behind our library waiting for my husband and I happened to notice an interesting tree. The tree was mature but about five feet from the ground the tree took a twist to the right, making it look irregular, crooked and 'out of focus.'
Seconds later, I began thinking about people in relation to trees. I've always loved trees and what they do for the environment and their inspiring shape. Looking at the irregular shape of the tree brought to mind the phrase, "As the twig is bent, so grows the tree."
When you think about trees and how they grow, don't they relate to people?
Think of the people you meet and know who are troubled and lost--those who don't have Christ in their lives. Often when one meets and talks with them, one will find that they know little of Christ, show little to no interest in our Lord and how a Christian should live.
Sometimes one can witness with good results to such a person but often he or she will shrug their shoulders and reply, "I don't need Christ in my life and have no desire to get to know Him."
But remembering the "twig is bent" theory sure helps and I try whenever possible to pray for such a soul, for Heaven and Hell are for eternity...
