Do you have a real, live pine tree as your 🌲 Christmas tree? Describe the scent? Have you seen, smelled, touched any items made of pine?
Come with me to a time long ago, to a place where pine and cedar trees were plentiful, useful, and beautiful!
A young man born in Missouri dedicated himself to years of study. Laboring at the University of Iowa, he graduated in 1907 with the word Dr. before his name. His greatest desire was to start a school in rural Mississippi for those who lacked education in the areas of academics and basic vocational life skills. His God-given vision was to equip young minds and spirits with strong Christian values as they learn how to read, write, speak and produce by working together with their hands.
He declined a teaching position with a well-established and reputable university to follow his vision of serving-helping those in poverty. His job choice led him to Mississippi. Then soon to an area known as “the piney woods.”
This was a wooded area of nothing but trees- no buildings, classrooms, equipment; however, he had unwavering faith, vision, and determination to improve the lives of many based on a song his mother sang, “Keepa inching along.”
Dr. Laurence C. Jones encountered and endured numerous and ongoing adverse situations, including death threats! God provided strength, support and favor from various individuals and groups! His outdoor classroom with one ☝🏾eager learner was the beginning of the now spacious, modern, unique, gorgeous, prestigious Piney Wood School!
Do you have a desire to help those who are stricken by poverty, differing abilities, mistreatment, homelessness and hopelessness? When GOD causes our hearts to hurt for others, He is often preparing us to be an important piece of the solution puzzle.
🙏🏾Dear GOD-You have shown many who need You and people! Please show me who and how I can help. No matter how small it may seem, I will keep inching along. Bit by bit, I will use what YOU have given to me to be a blessing to others. Amen.
©2025 Penelope White Use with author’s permission. Send requests to penywhite@hotmail.com
Penelope Allen White is a wife, mother of two young adult sons, and grandmother. Her passion is for all children and people to have an intimate knowledge of God. She works as a Christian educator, speaker, church school curriculum writer and teacher, workshop facilitator, middle school counselor, and neighborhood tutor. Despite her busy schedule, she still finds time to enjoy a game of hopscotch!