I think of a life as a tree. If a tree leans in one direction when it dies it will fall in that direction. It is not going to fall in the opposite direction. So, too, with our lives. If all the time we are leaning towards God, very likely, with God's grace we shall fall into His arms when we die. But if our lives never point to God, it is very likely that when we die we shall die in enmity with God.
The tree may fall in one direction..
ReplyDeleteBUT! It's branches fall in many
directions..all broken and twisted!
Hopefully there are some straight
and narrow ones we can then follow..!
Isn't there a book called The Leaning Tree..
The Leaning Tree shares a timeless story of humility and the resilience of nature..
This important lesson for young and old shows that no matter one's age, sometimes the overly proud must learn a stern lesson before being given a new opportunity to live happily...
I was not aware of a book of that name, Willie. What Fr Francis is saying here is that at all times throughout our lives, whatever our age, we should be in communication with our Creator God.
DeleteGod bless you.
Good to read this again, Victor. God bless.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Sandi.
DeleteGod bless you.
...lean in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteAmen.
DeleteGod bless, Tom.
Father Ignatius has become one of my favorite people. AND YES, that is a SWEET (deep) thought.
ReplyDeleteSherry & jack over the water and thru some woods...
I'm so pleased you liked this post, Jack and Sherry.
DeleteEnjoy your holiday. God bless.
What a wonderful analogy!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathy.
DeleteGod bless.
We all need someone to lean on and God wants us to lean on him.
ReplyDeleteAmen Bill.
DeleteGod bless always.
What a great analogy! I love Fr. Maple and still enjoy reading his 'thoughts' every morning.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mevely. I follow his sermons on the website link - click his name above. A new sermon every day.
DeleteGod bless you.
So true and a great analogy.
ReplyDeleteIt is a great analogy.
DeleteGod bless, Happyone.
Dearest Victor,
ReplyDeleteMakes a LOT of sense!
We just last week had a huge leaning tree removed from our property as it was leaning towards the road and over the creek. Both not good as nobody can cut the wood 'inside' a creek and God forbid, falling on some passing traffic on the road.
So they cut off the heaviest branch, then tied a rope around it and with a Kubota they pulled it the other way after it got cut. With a lot of force and at high cost because of it.
Don't think many people that never acknowledged God will be able to turn around 'too late' or for making a heavenly detour.
Hugs,
Mariette
You make a very good point, Mariette. Not many people who throughout their lives do not acknowledge God will be able to turn to Him at the last moment. This is sad. We need to pray more for these people. I know some personally.
DeleteSt Augustine led a bad life and his mother always prayed for him. Eventually he found God and turned his life round and became a leading figure in the Church. So we should keep on praying.
Cutting down a tree can be quite a job. We had to get people to come and cut down ours as they became dangerous and could fall.
God bless always.
💞
DeleteThat is an excellent analogy!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mimi.
DeleteGod bless.
May we lean into God, and never into our own understanding. Father Maple nails it, Victor.
ReplyDeleteBlessings1
Amen Martha. You said it so well.
DeleteGod bless you always.
When I die, I will send a message so you know for sure which way I went.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteGod bless.