Up a Tree

Bible Reading: Proverbs 3:1-6

Raya stood in the backyard and looked up into the big maple tree. “Dad!” she called. “Help me!”

“What’s wrong?” asked Dad as he ran toward her.

“It’s Daisy,” said Raya, tears filling her eyes. She pointed up. “She’s stuck in the tree. She climbed up there, but now she can’t get back down.”

Dad spotted the tiny kitten perched high on a limb overhead. It was clinging to the branch with all its strength. “We’ll get her down,” said Dad. He got a long ladder from the garage, leaned it against the tree, and began to climb. When he reached Daisy, he gently scooped up the kitten and carried it down to Raya’s waiting arms.

“Oh, thank you!” said Raya. She stroked the kitten gently. “I tried to stop Daisy from climbing the tree, but she did it anyway.” Raya looked up at her father. “If Daisy had listened to me, she wouldn’t have got stuck up a tree.”

Dad smiled as the kitten purred loudly in Raya’s arms. “Do you know that people are sometimes up a tree too?” he asked.

“They are? You mean like kids who climb too high and get hurt?”

“I mean like all of us,” Dad said. “‘Up a tree’ is an old expression that means to be in difficulty. Daisy should have listened to you, and Jesus is the one we all need to listen to. If we do, He’ll guide us in our thoughts and actions, but like Daisy, we often don’t listen. We just do what we want to do, and that can get us into a real mess—or up a tree. Then we have to admit our wrong and cry out to God to forgive us and help us down.”

“But how can I know what Jesus is telling me to do?” Raya asked. “I can’t hear Him, can I?”

“Not with your ears,” said Dad, “but He will speak to you through His Word and through prayer—and through parents, teachers, and other Christian adults. Ask Him to guide you and to help you remember that you belong to Him. He’s always with you and will help you know what to do.” Chip Montgomery

How About You?

Do you ask Jesus to guide you when you’re not sure what to do? He loves you and is always with you. Talk to Him about difficulties you face, and then listen to what He tells you. He may use the Bible, your parents, a teacher, a Christian friend, your pastor—any number of things or people—to show you the right things to do. He will give you the desire and strength to obey Him.

Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 25:4 Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Look to God for guidance