There was once a new tree in a garden full of taller, mature trees. This was the first year the little tree had received a nice covering of leaves, and it was quite comfortable with the leaves it had. So when fall came and its leaves started to turn yellow the little tree was scared! In its fear, it looked around at the other trees and saw that their leaves were also changing color, so it relaxed a little.
But then it lost a leaf! The little tree panicked and held on to the rest of its leaves tightly. IT looked around again at the other trees and saw that their leaves were falling off too!
Why were they letting their leaves get away? They won’t be protected from the wind any more, and what about the sun? How will they give shade without leaves? The little tree decided it was going to keep its leaves, even if they were now turning brown. The leaves were dead now, but the little tree held on, feeling safe hiding under the shelter of the leaves. Snow fell, and the leaves became heavy, but he still held on.
Soon the weather started to turn warmer and light rains replaced the snowfall. Ah, this was much better, he told himself. Then he noticed the other trees had little green buds on them, and some were starting to flower! He looked at himself and saw that he did not have any signs of change. Pretty soon the other trees had glorious leaves on them, and some had fruit hanging among their branches. Now he was jealous!
So he asked God, “Hey, why did you give the other trees new leaves and fruit, but you did not give me anything?”
God said, “My dear tree, I gave you the same sunshine, I gave you the same rain, and I gave you the same love as the other trees in the garden.”
The tree said, “But God, look at me! I am ugly! Why did they get new leaves, and I did not? It’s not fair!”
God replied, “Well, my child, you did not get new leaves because you did not let go of the dead ones. You see, the older trees have been through the seasons before. They know that when they let a dead leaf go, I will replace it with a new one when spring comes. Not only that, but I usually give them more than they had before! They sometimes struggle with letting go, just like you. That struggle does not go away when you grow.
You just have to know that there is a reason why you can’t keep your dead leaves. Don’t allow fear and pride to trick you into keeping the things of your past. Besides, you have to admit that it was difficult to hang on to them in the winter! It is easier to let go and let me worry about the new leaves. That is a lesson all new trees have to learn.”
The little tree said, “Are you saying that I can be just as beautiful as the other trees?”
God said, “You are already just as beautiful as they are to me. I do not love you any less because of your old leaves. I see what you can be, not what you look like now. But if you truly want to grow, be patient, let go of our leaves as they die, and I will do the rest. I love you”.
This was taken from Neil T. Anderson and Rich Miller's book, Freedom From Fear: Overcoming Worry & Anxiety
