THE FALLEN TREE
“Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.”
December is usually a month filled with twinkling lights, warm homes, and the anticipation of gifts under the tree.
It is a season where we celebrate "Emmanuel" - God with us. But sometimes, we experience God’s presence most clearly not when we are cozy and safe, but when we are cold, tired, and stuck in the dark.
As we look toward Christmas, I want to share a story about a time when Grandpa and I found ourselves stranded with no way out. We didn't have a star to guide us, but God provided a light in the distance and sent some very unexpected "angels" to clear our path. It reminds me that the best gifts often aren't wrapped in paper; they are the people God sends just when we need them most.
The sun was setting as Grandpa and I were very slowly working our way back toward his big red truck. We had been out all-day hunting with no success. As we came to an opening in the forest, we could see down a long slope to an open meadow. In that meadow were several elk. This was what we’d been looking for all day.
I tugged at Grandpa’s pack and pointed out the elk to him. “Grandpa, look!” Grandpa raised a finger to his mouth reminding me to remain quiet and whispered that he knew. I whispered back, “Let’s go”. Grandpa just shook his head and walked away and we continued back to the truck.
When we arrived at our truck, I was getting very hungry and asked if he had a snack left. He pulled out a little bag from his pack and it had two bite sized Snicker bars. They were small, but it did not matter because we were heading back to camp and we’d be having dinner soon. I figured they’d be enough for now.
As I buckled my seat belt, I asked Grandpa why we did not go after the elk. He said, “It’s getting late and we won’t have time to get one before dark. They will still be close by in the morning so we’ll try then.”
We were on our way back to camp, when suddenly Grandpa brought the truck to a very quick stop. I looked out the windshield and right in front of us was a large, fallen, dead tree. It was completely blocking the dead-end road we were on!
“How are we going to get out”, I asked Grandpa?
“We are going to have to walk”, he replied.
I was shocked and said, “It is a long way back to camp. Can’t we do something? I am tired and still very hungry.”
Grandpa tried to calm me down and said, “There is nothing we can do now. We have no cell phone coverage here and likely no one will be coming this way tonight.” I will carry you and some water on this hike. In my pack I have a headlamp so we can light our way when it gets dark. We should be back in camp in about an hour.”
For a while I walked along with Grandpa as I still had some strength. We had walked for about a mile when I saw a tiny, little fire off in the distance. I pointed it out to Grandpa. Grandpa said it looked like a campfire, but he did not know why there would be one on the hillside across the creek.
Grandpa said, “It is only about half mile away. Let’s walk down to the main road below and up to the fire to see if someone is there who can help us.” I thought that was a great idea. Then Grandpa picked me up and placed me on his shoulders so I could ride on his pack. Fun!
Grandpa had to walk slowly and carefully through the forest opening as the ground was rocky and uneven; soon we were back onto the gravel road that went right by our camp which was about three miles away…… but we were going the other way to the fire!
It took us about fifteen minutes to get to where the fire was. When we arrived, we discovered it was no campfire! A Forest Service tanker was there and they were pumping water on a small wildfire. Grandpa said, “The fire was probably started yesterday by the afternoon lightning.”
As we walked up to the fire truck a firefighter saw us and asked if we were alright. Grandpa explained our situation; told him where our truck was located and asked if there was anyone who could cut the tree that was blocking our way.
As the fireman got on his two-way radio, he asked someone if they were finished with their chainsaw work. After a short discussion I heard the other person say he would send out “Charlie and a helper”.
In a few minutes I saw two young women arrive at the landing. The larger one was carrying a chainsaw. Where is “Charlie,” I wondered? After talking to the man at the truck the larger lady came over to Grandpa and said she would cut the log out for us. She said, “I’ll go get the pickup and you can ride over with Sheri and me.”
It was not long until we were back to where our pickup was and soon the chainsaw was screaming through the fallen tree. In about a half hour, Charlie and Sheri had cut the tree up and the road was open again; Grandpa and I thanked them. We were thanking God very much for providing us with some very nice and helpful people, just when we needed help them most.
I sure learned a lesson of who or what God will provide to help us in a time of need. It reminded me of a scripture that reinforced what God was teaching us. It even helped me forget my hunger for a while.
Hebrews 13:2 tells us “Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.” csb
I thanked Charlie and Sheri too, and then shared this special verse of scripture with them. They said they were pleased to help us and soon we were going our separate ways.
What a blessing it is to know that God sees us when we are stuck. This holiday season, as you gather with your family or travel to see loved ones, I pray that you remain open to the "angels" God places in your path. And perhaps, you might even be that angel for someone else who is struggling to find their way.
May the Lord bless you with safety, warmth, and the joy of His presence this Christmas!
