The Trouble Tree

Normally on my drive to work, it's spent in the peace of my car. I'm mentally going through what all I need to get accomplished for the day etc. However, this particular morning, I turned on the radio and caught a portion of a morning radio show. The host read this story... and it really made me stop and think...

The Trouble Tree

I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he had just finished a rough first day on the job - a flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ancient one ton truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence.On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family.

As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.

"Oh, that's my trouble tree,' he replied 'I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, those troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of them"."Then in the morning I pick them up again. Funny thing is', he smiled, 'when I come out in the morning to pick 'em up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.'


Isn't it truly amazing that when we give things to the Lord... 100%... that he takes care of those burdens for us? Maybe not always in our time... but it's always in HIS time.


And remember...

"It's no trick loving somebody at their best. Love is loving them at their worst."