by Kala Loptien

The Ultimate Author

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
Proverbs 16:9, ESV

We hear this question over and over as we make our way through school: And what do you want to be when you grow up? (What a big and loaded question to ask young children, by the way!) The other day, I read a book to the third grade class at ECA. It’s an old folktale; but was new to me. Perhaps many of you have heard of it: “The Tale of Three Trees.” Each tree shared its ultimate dream for what it hoped to become one day. One wanted to be the most beautiful treasure chest; the next a large ship; and the third preferred to never leave the mountaintop. She always wanted to be pointing to God.

As their stories unfold, there’s initial dismay. But soon, the trees realize they were created for an extra-special purpose. The first became a feed box for animals– the very manger bed where Jesus was laid. The second was crafted into a small fishing boat– the one Jesus and the disciples sailed. The third tree was cut into beams and fashioned into the cross that would hold our Savior and forever point to God.

What an incredible tale! What a beautiful way to showcase (to young and old) that God’s plans are the best plans. They may not ever look exactly like we envisioned. We may not get there traveling an easy or definitive path. What we know for sure is He has extra-special plans and purposes for our lives. Our stories are all so beautiful; because they ultimately point to God. We probably won’t ever understand why things work out the way they do, why people enter and exit our lives when they do or all that God has in store for our lives. However, we can trust and believe that for those who love God, all things work together for good.

Retold by Angela Hunt, The Tale of Three Trees

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado