There were three small trees growing in the forest and they were talking together.
The first tree said, “I want to be a treasure chest and carry great treasure.”
The second tree said, “I am strong and I want to be a great ship, sail the oceans and carry kings.”
The third tree said, “I want to stay in the forest and grow tall so that when people stop to look at me, they will look up to the sky and think of God.”
As days passed, the rain fell, the sun shone, and the trees grew strong and tall. One day three woodcutters came into the forest and they came to the trees. The first woodcutter came to the first tree and liked it, then with one swing of his axe, chopped down the first tree. The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and realized it was the one he wanted, so he swung his axe and chopped down the tree. The third tree was scared and prayed that the woodcutter would look at it and think of God. But the woodcutter did not care which tree he got, so he swung his axe and the third tree was cut down.
The first tree was not made into a beautiful chest as he desired to carry great treasure, but instead into a trough for feeding animals. Hay and grain were placed inside of it to feed the animals.
The second tree was not made into a beautiful strong ship to carry kings, but into a small fishing boat instead.
The third tree which did not want to leave the forest was placed in a yard with other pieces of lumber and it seemed forgotten.
Then one cold night as a bright star shone in the sky, fresh hay was placed into the feeding trough and a baby was placed inside. Then men from the East appeared, saying they followed the bright star that shone in the sky. They placed gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh before the trough where the baby laid. Then the first tree knew that his dream had come true because he was holding the greatest treasure on earth, —the baby, Jesus.(See Luke 2:1-14)
As years passed, there was a great storm and the tree that had become the little fishing boat believed that it was going to sink. The men in the boat were very afraid, but one of the passengers seemed to be not concerned at all as he lay sleeping, until the other men woke him up to tell him that the boat was about to sink. This passenger stood up and said, “Peace be still” and the winds stopped and the waters were calm. Then the second tree realized that his dream did come true because he not only carried a king, but he carried the “King of Kings”.
(See Matthew 8:23-27 and Mark 4:35-41)
The third tree had remained in the yard for a long time and thought that it was forgotten until one day it was pulled up and carved into two great pieces. It was carried through the streets and a shouting mob followed. Then it was shocked when a man was nailed to it. It was then placed on a hill. Then the third tree realized, after so many years that his dream had come true; because whenever people think of the cross, they remember God. (John 19:10-22)
“But like the stars in the vast circuit of their appointed path, God’s purposes know no haste and no delay.” Desire of Ages (DA) 32.1
This was a story that I heard when I was very young but I remembered it. It made an impression upon me at that time for some reason and I remember going home and writing it down, as much as I could remember, so that I would not forget it.
Luke 18:6, “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”
The same is said in Mark 10:14 and Matthew 19:14.
This world will only continue for so long, but Jesus is coming again to take those who are faithful to him, including children, to heaven to live for an eternity.
Children are never too young to know about Jesus, his life and sacrifice. The word of God in Deuteronomy 6:7 said, “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”
As workers for God, our work is to begin with those nearest. It is to begin in our own home. There is no more important missionary field than this. Periodical: Australasian Union Conference Report (AUCR) June 1, 1900, par. 6
God designs that the families of earth shall be a symbol of the family of heaven. Christian homes, established and conducted in accordance with His plan, are among His most effective agencies for the formation of Christian character. AUCR June 1, 1900, par. 7
In the home the foundation is laid for the prosperity of the church. The influences that rule in the home life are carried into the church life. Church duties are to begin in the house. AUCR June 1, 1900, par. 8
Christ died to save the children, and he is ready to do a great work for them if parents will co-operate with Him by training and educating them according to His instruction. While parents should be firm in requiring respect and obedience, they should make the religion of Christ attractive by their cheerfulness, their Christian courtesy, their tender, compassionate sympathy. AUCR June 1, 1900, par. 9
Christ was once a little child. For His sake honour the children. Look upon them as a sacred charge, not to be petted and idolized but to be taught to live pure, noble lives. They are God’s property. He loves them, and He calls upon you to co-operate with Him in teaching them to form perfect characters. The Lord requires perfection from His redeemed family. He expects from us the perfection which Christ revealed in His humanity. Fathers and mothers especially need to understand the best methods of training children that they may co-operate with God. AUCR June 1, 1900, par. 10
Submission and surrender to Christ are the most effective lessons that children and youth can learn. The rules which should regulate the lives of parents and children flow from a heart of infinite love, and God’s rich blessing will rest upon those parents who administer His law in their homes, and it will rest upon those children by whom this law is obeyed. AUCR June 1, 1900, par. 11
Children should be taught that they are a part of the home firm. They are fed, and clothed, and loved, and cared for, and they should respond to their many mercies by bearing their share of the family burdens, and bringing into the home all the happiness possible. By the law of mutual dependence they are to be taught dependence upon the great Head of the Church. AUCR June 1, 1900, par. 12
And God calls upon fathers and mothers to become intelligent in regard to the laws which govern physical life. Children must be taught to make a right use of the things of this life, and to avoid the use of everything that would injure the powers of mind or body. They should be taught that every organ of the body and every faculty of the mind is the gift of a good and wise God, and is to be used to His Glory. AUCR June 1, 1900, par. 13
In the home the Saviour is to be uplifted, thought of, talked of. When He dwells in the heart, family worship will not be a form of dry, set phrases. The heart will be imbued with love for Jesus. This love will be expressed in prayer and praise. Words of discouragement and hopelessness will not be spoken. AUCR June 1, 1900, par. 14
Let the members of every family bear in mind that they are closely allied to heaven. The Lord has a special interest in the families of His children here below. Angels offer the smoke of the fragrant incense for the praying saints. Then in every family let prayer ascend to heaven both at morning and at the cool sunset hour, in our behalf presenting before God the Saviour’s merits. Morning and evening the heavenly universe takes notice of every praying household. AUCR June 1, 1900, par. 15
Let parents teach their little ones the truth as it is in Jesus. The children in their simplicity will repeat to their associates that which they have learned. In Christ’s day the children sang in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.” So in these days children’s voices will be raised in giving the last warning to a perishing world. By them God’s message will be made known, and His saving health to all nations. AUCR June 1, 1900, par. 16
The children can take a part in medical missionary work. They can do many things to help the sick and suffering, and by their offerings they can aid in carrying forward the work. By the efforts of children and youth many souls will be won to the truth. And the children themselves will be forming characters after Christ’s similitude, in preparation to dwell forever in His presence. AUCR June 1, 1900, par. 17
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