A lesson from the Bonsai Tree Bonsai is the ancient Oriental art of growing miniature trees. After choosing a promising looking young plant, the tree is watered and nourished to get it used to its new surroundings. After a while, it is transplanted to a new container. Normally during this transplant process, the roots are trimmed and thinned out. Once the tree is in its new container, the grower begins to shape it. This is done by trimming some branches and using wire to encourage the limbs to grow in a certain way. Since the tree is not growing according to its natural instincts, the grower has to pay a lot of attention to it. The grower has to ensure that it is getting the right amount of water and light. He has to watch for stresses in the limbs. There is also some extra pruning and �touch-up� work that has to be done. Particular attention is given to make sure that bugs do not infect the tree. Bonsai trees do not form overnight. They take many years to grow into something that you can be proud of. In many oriental families the Bonsai Tree from generation to generation, and is placed on a pedestal in the front room so that all can see it. As I looked out over the children in Kid�s Chapel Sunday morning and the youth sitting in the front of the church Sunday evening, I began to see �my bonsai trees�. I can remember some of the children in Kid�s Chapel from when they were born and in the nursery. Several of the youth I remember from Royal Rangers and Sunday School classes. Many of these �trees� have been in the church for 8 or 9 years and have been passed from �grower to grower�. I remember the day that some of the youth accepted Christ on a campout or in Kid's Chapel. I can remember some of them being baptized. I also remember how rough some of these �kids� were when they first came to the church. These kids (and others) were chosen by God and �transplanted� into our church. Over the years they were �pruned and shaped� by Sunday School teachers, pastors, and children�s ministry workers in the church. They were �watered� with prayer. They were watched closely for attacks from satan as the extra �touch-up� work was done. They did not form according to their evil nature, but were transformed by God. What an awesome responsibility we have as we minister to children. We are the ones that are shaping that life. We determine in a large way what that child will be like as a youth or adult. We need to be constantly seeking God for the wisdom to do and say the right thing. Some serious bonsai tree growers have been known to throw away a 10 or 15 year old tree after making ONE mistake pruning it! If we make a mistake and cut the wrong branch, the mistake can usually be healed --- but it takes time. Growing kids in Christ is much more serious than growing a tree. Again --- We MUST be trusting God to guide and direct us as we work with these children. Take a look at the �Bonsai Trees� that have been entrusted to you and that have passed through your care over the years. Have they been shaped into an image that pleases God? This is not a time to boast about your �success stories� � it is a time for self-evaluation. Are you spending time in prayer and Bible study? What kind of �pruning and trimming� are you doing? In His Service, Allen R. Cook - Cookie Outpost Chaplain Belton A/G -- Belton, Missouri _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com _______ To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe rangernet" to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit http://rangernet.org/subscribe.htm http://rangernet.org Autoresponder: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
