One of my favorite children's books of all time is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. But it's not a story just for children, it gives a message to all ages about unconditional love. If you've never read it, it's a beautiful story about a little boy and a tree. The boy would come every day to the tree and benefit from all the tree had to offer- fruit, shade, a play place. The tree loved the boy so much, and as the boy got older, he demanded more from the tree.When I read this story, I become more aware of how easy it can be for a friendship or relationship with another person to become one-sided. I can say that in the past I have un-knowingly demanded so much from particular people, just because it served my immediate needs. I am particularly struck by this excerpt from the book, after the little boy (now an old man) had taken all that he could from his beloved tree:
And after a long time the boy came back again.
"I am sorry, Boy," said the tree, "But I have nothing left to give you-
My apples are gone."
"My teeth are too weak for apples," said the boy.
"My branches are gone," said the tree.
"You cannot swing on them-"
"I am too old to swing on branches," said the boy.
"My trunk is gone," said the tree.
"You cannot climb-"
"I am too tired to climb," said the boy.
"I am sorry," sighed the tree.
"I wish that I could give you something...
but I have nothing left. I am just an old stump. I am sorry..."
On the other hand, I also have experienced what it feels like to be the one giving giving and giving, and not receiving much in return. In the book, the tree gives without hesitation, without question. It doesn't consider what loss it will suffer to please the little boy. I have struggled to have friendships that are not reciprocal because I want something in return from that person. I have even considered ending those friendships, because I didn't get what I needed. This story is a reminder to me of how God loves us. He loves us unconditionally, even when we take and take from Him, without giving back the love He wants from us. It's an encouragement to me to love God even more than I do now, and to recognize that He's going to love me no matter what I do. He's going to meet my needs, and He's going to find a way to meet them even when I all I need is a safe place to rest.
"I don't need very much now," said the boy,
"just a quiet place to sit and rest. I am very tired."
"Well," said the tree, straightening herself up as much as she could,
"well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting.
Come, Boy, sit down.
Sit down and rest.
And the boy did.
I pray that I would be able to love in the same way as the tree, to anyone I cross paths with. I pray that you would be able to do that as well.
If you'd like to watch the original 1973 animated version of the story, narrated by Shel Silverstein, click here: Giving Tree animated movie
