The Trouble Tree . . .
I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he had just finished a rough first day on the job, a flat tire made him lose an hour of work & his electric drill quit, his ancient one ton truck refused to start. As I drove him home, he sat in stony silence.
On arriving he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands. Upon opening the door he had undergone an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.
Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do at the little tree.
“Oh, that’s my trouble tree,” he replied. “I know I can’t help having troubles on the job, but one thing’s for sure, those troubles don’t belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of them. Then in the morning I pick them up again.” Funny thing is,” he smiled, “when I come out in the morning to pick them up, there aren’t nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.”
Helpful Books/Links/References for The Trouble Tree:
Author Unknown but if you like this kind of stuff this particular story is in several books:
- Little Pink Books of Prayers (Page 247) by Cathy Bartel © 2009
- A Collection of Emails: Book 1 (Page 205) by Billie Jo Mouren & Gwen Anderson © 2007
- Stop Whining, Start Living (Page 119) by Dr. Laura Schlessinger & Laura Schlessinger © 2008
- Men Under Construction (Page 56) by Bob Barnes © 2006
- A Bucket of Surprises (Page 201) by J. John, Mark Stibbe and Mark W. G. Stibbe © 2002
- E-Praise 4 Gifting (Page 207) by Al Allaway © 2008