Opposition and the Tree May 2017

I love the Stories President Checketts sends out once a week in his weekly letter to the Missionaries.  I hope you enjoy them as well.  This is a good reminder about the purpose of Opposition.

Opposition - The Tree

The tree that never has to fight for sun or sky or air or light

That stood out in the open plain and always got its share of rain

Never became a forest king but lived and died a scrubby thing.

The man who never had to toil to work    or plow his share of soil

Who always got what ere he asked and never worked a full day’s toil?

Never became a manly   man but lived and died as he began.

Good timber does not grow with ease.

The stronger wind the stronger trees.

The greater storm the greater strength

The higher sky the greater length.

Where   thickest lies the forest growth

We find the patriarchs of both.

Who hold their councils with the stars?

Whose battered branches show the scars?

Of much of storm and much of strife

This is the common law of life.

I’m grateful for the common bond that is built for those who believe in the Living Christ. It creates a friendship that encircles the world and crosses all bounds.

I know that part of this life is intended to help us grow in strength to prepare for the opportunities of eternity. To do so we need the strength that comes from challenges and the scars of growth.

May God bless us one and all to embrace the growth with all it scratches and sores and recognize his hand in forming us into the sons and daughters that he sees us to be. In so doing it is with love that he works for our return to him.

Love,

President Checketts