A little leaf hung from one of the tall residential trees. The leaf was quite ordinary. It was green like all the others. Every day the little leaf prayed that God would do something wonderful with it's life, but day after day, it appeared to be an ordinary green leaf like all the others. The little leaf loved to watch all the people as they walked along the sidewalk underneath him. As they walked by, the little leaf would ask God to bless them in some way. He prayed and he prayed. Sometimes he wondered if his prayers made any difference to the lives of those who passed by him.
As the leaf got older, he noticed he was starting to shrivel up a little bit. It was harder for him to sway with the wind like he used to do. He began to feel frail and lonely.
One day while he was praying he distinctly heard God's voice, "I'm coming to visit you today."
The leaf waited with eager anticipation. In the afternoon a very bright light surrounded the little leaf, and then something incredible happened. His coloring began to change. The little leaf looked extraordinary! Then he heard God's voice again, "This is how you will look for all eternity. The beauty of your prayers will shine for all to see! Do not be afraid in these your last days. I am with you."
The little leaf trusted God completely. He prayed over and over, "I love you God. Thank you for all your blessings." A few days later, a strong wind blew through the tree and softly the little leaf fell to the ground. He was there but an instant, and then he felt the palm of God's hand holding him. God smiled at the extraordinary little leaf and said, "I have prepared a special tree just for you. It is in the middle of a beautiful garden. As God carried the little leaf through the garden, the leaf was amazed at the spectacular flowers all around them.
"The flowers up here are astonishing!" said the little leaf.
God smiled and said, "Those aren't just flowers. Those are all the prayers you offered."
"They are?" exclaimed the little leaf, "They are so beautiful!"
"I couldn't agree more," answered God.
"I never realized my prayers were that special."
"My dear little one, loving and praying for others is one of the most extraordinary things anyone could do!" Then God placed the little leaf in the tallest tree in the garden, and the little leaf was happier than he ever dreamed he would be.
-Susan
