God seems to teach life’s most important lessons through symbols or analogies, and as we identify the profound messages contained in His creations, we can be at peace on our own path to prosperity and an abundant life… even in the middle of our greatest trials.
An image from nature came to mind as I sat in my car, so lest I would forget it, I pulled out my notebook and jotted it down:
The Little Acorn
A little acorn wanted to become all that its blueprint promised it could be. Though it was meant to become a grand and mighty oak, it felt small and insignificant, merely a simple nut dangling by a stem.
Hanging on the parent tree and reaching high, it longed to see grand views and sweep the vast sky with broad branches. It ached to experience the fluttering of leaves and the swaying of limbs, but alas, all it knew was filtered sunlight and the slight breeze slowed by the shelter of its protecting parent.
Finally, Father Oak heard its cry and said, “Yes, little seed, I have great plans for you. You will scrape the sky and sway in the wind, and the view will be glorious. One day, you’ll provide shelter and food for a multitude of creatures. Your friends will be many, your influence will be vast, and you’ll be great and happy.”
The little acorn’s heart swelled with excitement as it stretched its rigid shell upward to receive its promised reward, but instead of enjoying the exhilaration of greatness, it was shaken from the tree and took a long, hard fall, landing with nothing more than a faint thud.
It looked around desperately for someone, anyone to notice. Is there no help? No compassion? No understanding?
“Father Oak? Do you see me?” it cried.
Yet time just seemed to march on for everything else around it. Critters rustled by. Birds sang unaware, high above. And soon the tiny acorn found itself trampled, with dirt and leaves kicked rudely upon it. Eventually, it was completely buried, in the dark, and alone.
“Have you forgotten me??!” He cried, but still there was no answer, no explanation, no reprieve.
Then at once, the rain began to pour, and the buried seed believed it just may drown as well.
Throwing its weight one way and then the other, it attempted to force its way out of the mud and puddles to get back to the tree, but to no avail.
Weary of the struggle, it surrendered to its fate with a melancholy sigh. “I guess this is it,” the little acorn lamented. “I can’t do this any more.” And it stopped fighting.
Immediately, the elements nearby took notice of its calmed demeanor and began to respond with awe and respect, as if something royal had just entered their presence. A leaf molecule cozied up to its shell. A bark particle prepared to be assimilated.
“What’s happening?” the little acorn wondered, as it began to notice a subtle change taking place, even within itself.
In the middle of its newfound calmness, and though it still seemed so dark, the little acorn discovered that it hadn’t perished from being cut off from its parent, as it feared it might. Though the fall was frightening and terrible, it remained, as alive and as well as before.
No, it had not perished. Rather, it had sprouted new parts of itself from within that it didn’t even know it could sprout, and the little seed began to experience the joy that always accompanies growth and soul-expansion.
Though it hadn’t achieved its ultimate goal, it felt good enough just to grow.
In time, the little acorn could finally see the goal again—though it had never appeared to be so far away.
Yet in truth, it had never been closer.
Be patient little seed, for you, too, were created for greatness. Allow yourself time to develop roots and let them run deep.
Keep reaching for the Sun. Trust God, and success is inevitable. All you need to accomplish the goal will be yours in the right time. Remember…
Peace, be still.
__________
Did you know? This acorn story was recently included in the updated editions of my best selling books Portal to Genius and Hidden Treasures (read them free!)
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10 Responses
All I can think is, “How did you know I needed this right now?” Thank you for sharing.
The falling…the separation…ugh! And the lonliness of the cutoff! I have an amazing oak tree in my back yard, that I wish I could live in. But…a tree house is nice, and spreading my own wings, however fragile they seem, is what will change my world. But where is the patience? Time to do my laundry, and maybe even plant some flowers. Thank-you for your steady stream of empowering thoughts. They definitely strengthen my wings. Tina
Thanks for sharing this analogy, Leslie. If only we let ourselves trust God…
Be patient, my little seed. Perfect timing for me as – step out of fear and into something new. (Hank you!
Thanks. The timing of that message for me was perfect.
This has been a great reminder and a fine way to start the new day! Thank you.
So true and just what I needed to be reminded of, thank you!
Thanks, Leslie –
Right on time, as usual!!
Many Blessings
Your article speaks an incredible truth. Thanks very much.
Love your expansion of my favorite parable you taught me years ago. So true! So true!