Many years ago there was a monk who needed olive oil, so he planted an olive tree sapling. After he finished planting it, he prayed, "Lord, my tree needs rain so its tender roots may drink and grow. Send gentle showers." And the Lord sent gentle showers. Then the monk prayed, "Lord, my tree needs sun. Please send the sun." And the sun shone, gilding the once-dripping clouds. "Now send frost, dear Lord, to strengthen its branches," cried the monk. And soon the little tree was covered in sparkling frost, but by evening it had died.
Then the monk sought out a brother monk in his cell and told him of his strange experience. After hearing the story, the other monk said, "I also have planted a little tree. See how it is thriving! But I entrust my tree to its God. He who made it knows better than a man like me what it needs. I gave God no constraints or conditions, except to pray, 'Lord, send what it needs---whether that be a storm or sunshine, wind rain or frost. You made it, and You know best what it needs.' "
--a selection from 'Streams in the Desert'
Then the monk sought out a brother monk in his cell and told him of his strange experience. After hearing the story, the other monk said, "I also have planted a little tree. See how it is thriving! But I entrust my tree to its God. He who made it knows better than a man like me what it needs. I gave God no constraints or conditions, except to pray, 'Lord, send what it needs---whether that be a storm or sunshine, wind rain or frost. You made it, and You know best what it needs.' "
--a selection from 'Streams in the Desert'
4 comments:
So true...I *just* read a post on another blog about this book, Streams in the Desert--maybe I should find this book...
Hope you are doing well!
:)Katherine
Nice to see you again, Katherine! Thanks for stopping by :)
Love that story. How easy it is to get ahead of God... to lack in trust, even though He is always faithful... to trust in sight and not in faith.
Yes, Greg - we so often think we know so much! I'm thankful God is merciful to us...
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