God has a purpose of every thing He created

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The Wood Cutter

 

 

One day a woodcutter took his grandson into the forest for his first

experience in selecting and cutting oak trees. These they would later

sell to the boat builders. As they walked along, the woodcutter

explained that the purpose of each tree is contained in its natural

shape: some are straight for planks, some have the proper curves for

the ribs of a boat, and some are tall for masts. The woodcutter told

his grandson that by paying attention to the details of each tree,

and with experience in recognizing these characteristics, someday he

too might become the woodcutter of the forest.

 

A little way into the forest, the grandson saw an old oak tree that

had never been cut. The boy asked his grandfather if he could cut it

down because it was useless for boat building - there were no

straight limbs, the trunk was, short and gnarled, and the curves were

going the wrong way. " We could cut it down for firewood, " the

grandson said. " At least then it will be of some use to us. " The

woodcutter replied that for now they should be about their work

cutting the proper trees for the boat builders; maybe later they

could return to the old oak tree.

 

After a few hours of cutting the huge trees, the grandson grew tired

and asked if they could stop for a rest in some cool shade. The

woodcutter took his grandson over to the old oak tree, where they

rested against its trunk in the cool shade beneath its twisted limbs.

 

After they had rested a while, the woodcutter explained to his

grandson the necessity of attentive awareness and recognition of

everything in the forest and in the world. Some things are readily

apparent, like the tall, straight trees; other things are less

apparent, requiring closer attention, like recognition of the proper

curves in the limbs. And some things might initially appear to have

no purpose at all, like the gnarled old oak tree.

 

The woodcutter stated, " You must learn to pay careful attention every

day so you can recognize and discover the purpose God has for

everything in creation. For it is this old oak tree, which you so

quickly deemed useless except for firewood, that now allows us to

rest against its trunk amidst the coolness of its shade.

 

" Remember, grandson, not everything is as it first appears. Be

patient, pay attention, recognize, and discover. "