December 6,1996
Dear Robert:
Have you ever climbed a tree? Have you ever seen trees that are all gnarled and crooked, and ugly? The best trees to climb and the ones that afford the most fun are those that are tall and straight, with branches spaced every foot or so around the trunk. These are called symmetrical trees, for they are well balanced, look attractive, and give boys, such as yourself, hours of fun playing in their branches.
You and I are like trees, but what type of tree are we? Are we
all gnarled and crooked or are we straight and tall with well
spaced branches? How do we grow symmetrical trunks? I am sure
you have seen adults that are like crooked trees, they are no
fun at all. Then you may have seen adults that are well proportioned
in character, who are lots of fun.
When a tree is young, growing in the woods with all the other
adult tress, it can be bent in any direction or it can grow upright.
If a tree has enough sunlight, fresh air, water, and good soil,
not too crowded, and isn’t bruised by snow and ice in the
winter, it will grow into a mature, well formed tree. When it
is older, nothing can bend it. You can cut it down, you can trim
its branches but you can’t bend it. If it is gnarled, you
can’t straighten it. If it is straight, you can’t bend
it or make it grow crooked. Nothing can cause it to bend, even
the winds and ice of winter. Because you are smart, you understand
that I mean boys when I talk about trees. You are young and, therefore,
you can choose what type of tree to become. Do you want to be
gnarled and crooked when you grow older or straight and tall?
The choice is up to you.
Each day we make choices that determine what type of tree we become.
The children we choose to play with, the television programs we
watch, the words we use, the books or magazines we read, the food
we eat and the liquids we drink all shape our character which
is another way of describing the type of tree we are becoming.
Robert, begin today to choose good companions, or playmates. Avoid
those children who curse or swear, who aren’t interested
in school or learning, who only want to get into trouble, who
disobey their parents, who like to have fun and make mischief.
They are crooked trees and will cause you to grow crooked also.
Choose, instead, good children to play with, those who obey their
parents, who like school, who enjoy going to church, who like
to read good books and who talk to God instead of cursing at him.
They are growing well balanced trees and you can learn from them
how to make your tree grow tall.
Every day we make choices, some good ones and some bad ones. If
we make more good choices and choose the good things, then our
character will grow lovely and symmetrical. God is fond of you
and He loved your father. God was kind to him and He is kind to
you. I believe, if you grow a well balanced character, you will
see your father again in heaven, for his character was also straight
and tall, for God straightened him out. We can not straighten
a gnarled tree but God can perform a miracle and do for us what
we cannot do for ourselves. God straightened out your father’s
character tree and he will live with God in heaven after the resurrection.
Endeavor every day to live your life and make wise, good choices
so you can meet your dad again in the resurrection. If you are
in doubt about good or bad choices, ask your mother. She loves
you and wants you to make good choices. She will help you and
give you good advise. Listen to her and obey her for this is pleasing
to the Lord and will help your tree to grow straight and tall.
Just before he died, your dad spoke about you. He loved you very
much. You were special to him and you are special to God. Never
forget that God adores you and He even likes you. He doesn’t
like you just when you are good and dislikes you when you are
bad. No! He likes you all the time. You can’t do anything
so bad that he will ever stop liking you.
May the Lord bless you, Robert, and may it be said of you that
Robert increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God
and man.
Grandpa Benson