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Green Leaves and Dead Leaves
by Michael Isaacks Walking through his yard, Alan noticed all the brown leaves that had fallen from the many trees he had in his yard. "Hmpf!" he thought to himself. "Just like my life. Dull. Brown. Lifeless. Dead. Useless." He shrugged on into his house and sank into his favorite easy chair and turned on the television. As it warmed up, he thought about his life in the last few months. Nothing but heartache and aggravation. When it was his turn for a gift receiving holiday, such as Father's Day or his birthday, there was never any money for gift giving. His bills were never paid on time and he never could buy good food for his family. His full time job paid well, but it wasn't enough to cover everything. The TV finally came on and a preacher appeared on the screen, promising that God would give you the 'wealth of the wicked' if you sowed a substantial love gift into that preacher's ministry. Disgusted, he flipped the channel. Another preacher appeared. This well known Pastor wasn't preaching prosperity. He wasn't promising miracles for sale. He was talking about God's love and His presence even in the midst of life's problems. He contrasted the problems the Apostle Paul went through with problems believers are going through today. The more he listened, the more Alan realized how blessed he truly was. He wasn't rich, he didn't have the finest clothing, cars, home, food, etc. , but he did have a roof over his head that was his, food to eat even if it was the cheap stuff, clothing to wear and a car to drive. He had a job to go to. By the end of the broadcast, Alan felt the presence of the Lord, and Jesus spoke to his heart and said; "I planned this message just for you. I will always meet your needs." Though his problems hadn't gone away, somehow they seemed lighter now that Alan had Someone to share them with. Suddenly, something outside attracted his attention. A lone green leaf hung defiantly on the tree closest to his window. And in it, he looked at his life through a new perspective. Though all its fellow leaves had dried up and fallen, this lone leaf hung on, refusing to give up. And that's what Alan determined he would do with Jesus' help. Michael Isaacks, age 45, husband to Pam and father to Faith age 16. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |