Along the path of a nature trail, an ancient forest monarch lies uprooted. An attached card tells its story. The inscription reads, "Its downfall was occasioned by the fact that its root system did not strike deeply enough into the soil." Apparently, its lot had been easy. It had grown in a wealth of deep, rich earth, needing only surface roots to provide for its rapid, luxurious development. Too, it had the cloistered protection of the great forest against wind and storm.
Not far distant, another ancient tree still rears its colossal head. One marvels that this one has been able to survive. Its story has been different from that of its fallen neighbor. Its deep roots having a grip of iron, the tree has clung for a century or more to the barren, rocky wall of a wind-swept, storm-churned ravine. Although unprotected, still it displays the majestic triumph of a conqueror. On trial, it survived the storm its seemingly more fortunate brother did not withstand.
The fallen tree is a reminder of the Master's words to his disciples as he watched the rich young man sadly turn away, "Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!"
