"Planted for a Purpose"

An ancient legend tells of a king who walked in his garden one day to find almost everything withered and dying. He spoke to the oak tree near the gate, and learned that it was sick of life because it wasn't tall and beautiful like the pine tree. The pine tree was upset because it couldn't bear delicious fruit like the pear tree. The pear tree complained that it didn't have the lovely odor of the spruce tree. And so it went throughout the entire garden.

Coming to a pansy, however, the king saw its bright face full of cheerfulness. "Well, little flower," said the king, "I'm glad to find at least one that is happy in this discouraging scene."

The pansy explained: "Your majesty, I know I'm of small account, but I decided you wanted a pansy when you planted me. If you had wanted an oak or a pear tree, you would have planted one in my place. Therefore I've determined to be the best little flower I can be!"

That's God's hope for each of us, that we will be the best that we can be. That's why God has planted us where we are in life - to be the best that we can be through Christ.

Grace and peace,