REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE!

Photo and article written by my niece Emily Laird Carruth.

I am a step stool. I'm not much to look at. Well, not anymore. You see, I started out as a tree. I had long branches and beautiful leaves. I was so tall I could see everything. I loved who I was. But, I've been cut down to size. I'm no longer tall and beautiful. My branches were all cut off. My bark has been stripped away. I was put through a cutter to shrink down to the perfect size. My purpose no longer seems to be what I thought. It is now to be stepped on. I make people taller. When they need to reach something higher than them, I am there. I see feet. Some dirty. I see shoes. I get things spilled on me. When I'm not being used I am folded and put away in a dark room. All alone I wonder how things changed for me. I wish I were a tree again. I want to see the world. I want my beautiful branches and leaves back. I want to be back where I belong. Among other trees. Instead I am stuck- in a life that I didn't choose. I no longer know who I am. It's all been stripped away. I will never be the tree I once was, for I am a step stool.

Don't let others strip away who you are. No matter what anyone does or says, remember who you are. GOD made you into a tree. People will strip you down and make you feel worthless. They will make you feel unworthy. They will make you feel alone. They will shape you into something they need, and when they are done with you they will throw you away. Remember where you came from, and pray for those who step on you. Find people who are there for you. The ones who will lift you up and encourage you to grow your branches.

Romans 5:2-6
Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Romans 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Deut 7:9

Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

II Cor 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

II Corinthians 1:30-31
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.