Planting Trees

Tired and sweaty, Gabriel came into the house. "Mom! Do we have any more lemonade? It's like a billion degrees out there." "I'm making lemonade right now," Mom said. "I can't believe the weather we're having this early in the year! I'm surprised you and Max are playing basketball in this heat." "It's basketball season," Gabriel said, as if that would explain everything. "We're going to sit in the shade of the oak tree while we drink lemonade and cool off." "Good idea," said Mom. "And since you're taking a break from basketball, why don't you and your brother help me sort these things when you finish your lemonade?" Gabriel frowned. "Do we have to? I mean, we will if you say we have to, but…" He paused and looked at the piles of new and used items on the table and floor. "You're giving all those things to the organization that helps people in need and tells them about Jesus, right?" he asked. "We've done that before, but then we never hear anything more about it. If it does any good, we never see it." "Well, we do get reports now and then," Mom assured him. She stared out the window a moment. "But even when we don't, it's like that old oak tree in the backyard."Gabriel looked up, puzzled. "It is?""Your great-grandfather planted that tree as a sapling, knowing he'd never enjoy its cool, refreshing shade on a hot afternoon." Mom smiled at Gabriel. "But he planted it anyway.""And now we enjoy the shade on hot days," said Gabriel.Mom nodded and put glasses of cold lemonade on a tray. "We don't always see the fruit of our labors right away--if ever. We help others because of the love Jesus has shown us, and we want them to know about His love too. We can trust Him to use our efforts to bring more people to faith in Him, maybe now or maybe years from now. He doesn't waste any work that's done for Him."Gabriel picked up the tray with the lemonade and started for the door. Then he stopped and looked back at his mom. "We'll come help you as soon as this lemonade is gone," he told her. –Mike Dize