The Trouble Tree
I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, & 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.
While 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.
When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His face was wreathed in smiles & he hugged his two small children & gave his wife a kiss.
Afterwards he walked me to the car. We passed the tree & my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.
'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 & the children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home & 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 'em up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.
Linda
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