The forest was very quiet. There was no wind or even a breeze winding through the trees. The snow was falling in a gentle mist and beginning to pile up around the smaller shrubs and trees. Most of the trees looked the same. They had been planted to grow together and become tall and straight so that they could be used for telephone and other poles to support the overground wires. It was a noble reason for being and they all were very proud to be there together.

Almost in the middle of the proud pine trees stood something that certainly could not be called a “Mighty Pine”. It had no “needles” and was shaped more like Christmas tree than a pine. It had flat oblong shaped leaves and had almost no smell at all! It certainly looked out of place to say the least. Each species of trees has a “guardian tree master” that goes around checking on all of the trees in that group to be sure that they are doing well and to be sure that they are fulfilling their mission in life and are happy and safe.

Today was the day the pine tree area was on the list to have a visitor. The tree master looked out across the huge field of pines and saw something that shouldn’t be there! Right there in the middle was some other kind of tree!! What was it? The tree master’s first idea was that it would have to go! It would ruin the other trees in the field and look very out of place!

A voice from somewhere in the sky said, “Leave that tree where it is! It has been placed there for a special reason and to remove it would be a serious offense to the creator of all trees.”

A small voice came from the tree,” I know I’m not like the other trees, but someone planted me here several years ago and told me to be patient because one day I would learn why I’m are here and why I’m special.“

Years went by and all of the trees in the field continued growing tall and straight and reaching for the sky except the little tree in the middle. It was growing fast but it wasn’t growing straight up! It was shaping up and was adding some wonderful additional features every year. In the spring new growth would add to the size of the tree and in late summer plump buds would form all along the arms of the tree. In the late fall the buds would open and the tree would have blooms almost all winter long. The blooms were the purest white with little golden stamen in the middle an inch and a half long. Each one looked like a huge pearl with stands of gold in the middle. Every year the little tree got larger and more beautiful. It began to be the center of attention for all visitors to the pine tree growing fields.

The little tree enjoyed being the center to attention but wondered why the small voice had told it to be patient and that one day the reason why it was so special would be given to it. That afternoon the tree master arrived and was making the annual visit to the pine forest and stopped in front of the small green tree with the beautiful white flowers. The little tree ask the tree master, “I want to know why the voice that day long ago told me that I was special and that one day I would know why.”

My dear little friend, “Do you see all of these wonderfully tall and straight pine trees in this field? There are thousands of them, all pretty much look the same. And then right here in the middle stands this beautiful green tree with the magnificent white flowers with the stamens of gold strands proudly for all to enjoy. All things are important and all of them have a purpose. The tall pines grow straight and tall to fulfill their purpose and you grow green and white and gold for your purpose. You bring joy and beauty and hope to every creature that sees you! And THAT is your purpose.”