There was once an experienced old woodsman.

The woodsman made a living cutting down trees to sell to ship makers.

One day, the woodsman took his grandson out to teach him how it was done.

The woodsman explained to his grandson how each tree has a purpose.

The natural shape of a tree tells you what its purpose could be.

There are straight trees that become planks.

There are trees with curves used for the ribs of a ship.

There are trees big and tall that make masts.

The woodsman told his grandson to look carefully for these traits as they walked the forest.

As they walked, the grandson looked carefully at each tree they passed.

After a while, the grandson asked about an old oak tree that had never been cut in the area they were working.

The oak had no straight branches.

The trunk was squat, gnarled, and knotted.

The curves were going all the wrong way.

Since it had no use for shipbuilding the grandson suggests they cut it down for firewood.

The woodsman said they should keep working and return to it later and decide what to do.

After a while, they both grew tired and needed to rest.

The woodsman and his grandson sat against the gnarled trunk of the old oak, enjoying the shade it's twisted branches provided for them.

While they sat the woodsman explained to his grandson the importance of being attentive.

He shared that everything was created with a purpose in the world.

Some things are easy to see, like the tall, straight trees for shipbuilding.

Other things you have to learn to see, like the proper curve of a branch.

And some things seem to have no purpose at first glances, like the gnarled old oak.

The woodsman told his grandson that it's important to pay attention to God's purpose in everything.

The gnarly old oak was so easily dismissed, and still, it cast shade with its branches and support with its trunk.

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-From: Gods411-

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"But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purpose of his heart through all generations." - Psalm 33:11

Here is a wonderful story of how God has a purpose for YOU and all things in life, no matter how bad they seem.