The carpenter I hired to help me restore an old farmhouse had just finished a
rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his
electric saw quit, and now his ancient pickup 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 tips of the branches with both hands.
When opening the door, he underwent 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 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, 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. 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 ain't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."
Author unknown. If anyone has a proprietary interest in this story please
authenticate and I will be happy to credit, or remove, as the circumstances
dictate.
WIT and WISDOM - February 15, 1999
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.