The Eagle and the Raven

“For anger kills a foolish man, and envy slays a simple one." - Job 5:2

Despite their tiny brains, ravens are both highly intelligent and extremely adept at making the environment work in their favor.   That’s a fancy way of saying that ravens are highly manipulative.  Monte was certainly no exception.  He often conned others into doing work for him – like summoning the coyotes to open up the carcass of a fresh kill, so that the meat would be more accessible to him.  His favorite trick is to wait for a blue heron to catch a small rodent, then cleverly steal the catch away for himself. 

It’s a great life - with one exception.  From his perch atop the sycamore tree, he watches every day in utter amazement, the magnificence of an eagle named Avery.

Avery was a majestic creature; a living symbol of American heritage.  Her huge wingspan allows her to soar with graceful ease, free from her earthly tether among shifting air currents.   What a noble sight amidst the backdrop of rocky cathedrals; a beacon for all humanity!

Monte was so envious; Avery could fly higher, faster, and with greater precision than he could.  One day the jealous raven spotted a hunter with a bow and arrow and devised a cunning plan.

"Eagles are so elusive,” he said, “They seem to dance in and out of the sun!  It would take a real marksman to take one down, don’t you think?” he questioned the bowman.

“Yes indeed,” replied the proud hunter, “But it should be no problem with the right feathers.”

So Monte pulled out one of his feathers for the hunter to use on his arrow.

The arrow flew into space, but fell well short of the unsuspecting Avery.  She was flying too high.  Disappointed, Monte pulled out another feather, to help boost the arrow’s range.  A second arrow failed to reach the targeted eagle so Monte pulled out still another feather, then another . . . and so on.  Soon Monte had lost so many of his feathers that he himself couldn't fly.  Unable to defend himself now, Monte quickly perished; a victim of the laws of nature.

Like the jealous raven, sometimes we allow our dislike of others to blind us with so much hatred that we end up hurting ourselves.  Instead of using our talents to strengthen our own character, we expend too much energy trying to destroy someone we don’t like.  Like a cold fire – hate brings us no warmth and poisons our hearts.  It blinds us from all the great things God wants to do with and through us.  Is there someone in your life that needs forgiveness?

Lord, we pray for the power to be gentle, the strength to be forgiving, the patience to be understanding, and the courage to accept Your will. For those who have hurt us, we leave them in your hands, so that we may move on with our lives.  Amen.

A Golden Way to Go

"Live like a dog – bark less, wag more!” - unknown

Duke and David were lying on the floor together, on Duke’s favorite rug; five year old Danny sat close by.  It was the day the boy and his Dad had dreaded for almost two years.  You see Duke, a 16 year old golden retriever was suffering.  David carried him everywhere now – upstairs and down.  He never complained; Duke was the best dog ever.

It was time.  Duke knew it first; the pain was unbearable.  Today he’d cross that rainbow bridge to a better place, free from pain, full of fun and plenty of open spaces.  Maybe it was the look in his eyes, or that mournful expression, or the silence of his oft-wagging tail, but David knew it too.

Danny spoke up, “You’ll have lots of dog friends in heaven because I took a poll of all the dogs in the world and they agreed that you’re number One.”  He kissed Duke lightly on the head before continuing, “I want you to play nice with all the other dogs and share your toys.  They may miss their families too sometimes, so be sure and cheer them up, OK?”

Tears moistened David’s pale cheeks.  Oh the memories!  Dogs' lives are too short – that’s their only fault, really.  Miracles with paws!  The reason they have so many friends is that they wag their tail instead of their tongue.

“We’ll miss you dear friend,” David sobbed, “I love you with all my heart.  Thank you loving me so much!”

Danny watched his Dad struggle to regain his composure.  “Cheer up Daddy,” the youngster said in a comforting tone.  “If Duke sees you crying, he’s gonna think he’s going to a bad place.  God will take care of him . . . and make sure he has lots of shoes to chew!”

David laughed and kissed his son.  Then he stroked Duke’s long soft fur.  “Soon,” he said, you’ll be able to run free again.  Your legs will work like new and you’ll be able to jump high like you did when we used to visit the farm.  When you get there, be sure and find a river for us to swim in and don’t forget to mark your territory!”

As he caressed his faithful canine friend, David praised him in a soothing voice – for being such a wonderful dog and loving companion.  Duke’s life on earth would soon end – only to enjoy the divine ‘treats’ of a heavenly Kingdom.  They’d all be together again someday.  But until then, they’d cherish these last few minutes with Duke - moments forever etched deeply in their hearts.

Fellow humans, take a message from dogs: Live simply.  Love generously.  Care deeply. 

Master, Treat me kindly, for no heart in the world is more grateful than mine.  And when the good Lord calls me home, hold me gently in your arms knowing that I would have protected you with my life until I drew my last breath. - Duke

Trust and Obey

“We owe it all to Christ, who loves us completely.” – Romans 8:37

Thomas watched from his bedroom window.  Envy tugged at him like a new puppy; he wanted to be outside playing in the snow with his friends.  But he remembered Dad telling him to stay inside today. 

He promised Dad that he’d catch up on some reading.  Now he had second thoughts.  It was beautiful outside; the sun was shining so brilliantly.  Why was Dad keeping him from joining the fun?

When he couldn’t stand it any longer, he put down his book and snuck outside.  Euphoria quickly turned to a suffocating discomfort; worry that Dad would ‘catch’ him.

He jumped on his sled for one last ride down the steep hill.  His face hit the metal frame and he could feel warm blood trickle from his cold chin.  

“Ouch!  What would Dad think?” he brooded.  The scar would forever mark his disobedience. 

For the rest of the afternoon, he agonized in his bedroom.  His face hurt from the bruise on his chin.  But his heart ached most of all!  He had messed up before, but this time he’d gone too far!  Dad wouldn’t love him anymore!  They had always been close; they played catch, the watched movies, they ate pizza together.  But no more; all those wonderful times were over.

Robert’s older brother poked his head into Robert’s room and immediately noticed the blood-stained pillow.  “Looks like you took a tumble, Buddy?” 

“But that’s not the worst of it!  I disobeyed Dad by going outside today,” he sobbed. 

 “That sucks!” his older brother counseled firmly but gently, “But don’t make it worse by sitting here.  Go tell Dad everything.”

Trembling with fear, Robert headed toward the living room, pausing in the doorway.  Dad looked up from his favorite chair.  

“Robert, come here,” Dad motioned with loving arms outstretched.

Robert started to cry. “I love you Daddy, but I’ve been very bad and . . .” Robert pointed to his chin.

“I know, son - more than you think.  I watched you go outside.  I watched you bump your chin.”

“You did?” Robert questioned. “But - weren’t you at work?”

Dad shook his head. “I took the day off to spend some time with you.  That’s why I told you not to go outside to play.  Ever since you hurt yourself, I’ve been waiting for you to come to me so we could talk.”

“But, Daddy, how can you still love me?” Robert begged.

The smile on Dad’s face widened.  “Son, I loved you before you were born.  I will always love you – no matter what.  And God loves us too, even when we make mistakes.  But when we do, He expects us to be sorry, admit we did wrong, and ask for forgiveness.

Majesty, we are like broken mirrors, meant to reflect Your image but we fail a little each day. Thank you for loving me despite my imperfections.  Please help and forgive me again. Amen.

Get Out There!

   “Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.” -- Matthew 14:29

Alison loved to sing.  She had an unusual voice - rough like silk, a little smoky and dark.  She sang with passion; her songs entered the soul long before the ears.  But she never sang in public; music was her life  . . . not her livelihood.  She had no idea how very talented she was.  Singing just made her whole.

Friends kept encouraging her to try music out full time.  At long last she decided to take the plunge; she’d “step out of her boat” and try singing professionally.

An agent arranged an audition and one day, the stage lights went dim.  A bright spotlight streaked across the stage stopping on Alison.  The audience went quiet, eagerly anticipating her next move.  Tension built as every person in the crowd inhaled.

She opened her mouth to sing.  This was her moment, the first day of the rest of her life.  She tried to ignore the fact that she could no longer feel her legs; that her stomach was twisted in a tight knot.  Fear and doubt, her greatest enemies, attempted to steal away her debut.

She looked out.  There, facing her at center stage sat her life’s partner, shadowed by the light.  She spied a look of confidence on his face.  He knew that she could do this. Almost magically she began to sing.  Oh, what a sweet sound: the tone divine; her timing perfect. 

Those who did not know her were swept away by the melody.  Those who believed in her all along stood tall and proud.  They all applauded. 

Longing for final approval Alison glanced at center stage.  Her husband fixed his eyes on her and he mouthed “Well Done!”  At that moment she realized that she had seen the face of God

The critics were concise; it only took a few lines to articulate her flaws.  “Alison Krause, made her town hall debut last night.  Her presentation was not up to contemporary professional standards: her voice lacks the range of tonal color necessary to make it consistently interesting.”

She wouldn’t be deterred.  She had tasted the thrill of self-confidence.  There would be other opportunities.  She had a God-given talent; she would find the right venue to share her gift again. 

There are times when God wants to take us to the next level of spiritual growth, but we hesitate out of fear.  Instead of stepping out in faith, we tend to linger where we feel comfortable and secure.  In doing so, we miss the exciting destiny God has planned for us.  His power will flow through our lives continually if we make ourselves available to Him.

Father, help me to be more open to Your calling.  You provide us with the abilities we need to complete Your work, but we control when to begin.  Help us take that first step and trust the rest to You.  Amen

Semper Fi - Always Faithful

"Don't be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves!” - - Philippians 2:3

A nurse took the weary, anxious serviceman to Frank’s bedside.  “Your son is here,” she said gratefully, repeating her words several times before the old man’s eyes opened.

Heavily sedated due to the unbearable pain, Frank vaguely saw the sharp uniformed Marine standing outside his oxygen tent.  He offered a shaking, arthritic hand.  The Marine wrapped his calloused fingers around the old man’s boney ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.  Frank closed his eyes again, letting a single tear escape his wrinkled, sagging eyelid.

The nurse positioned a chair so that the Marine could sit beside his bed.  All through the night the young soldier sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man’s hand and prayerfully offering him words of love and strength.  Occasionally, the nurse suggested that he lie down and rest awhile.   He politely refused!  

Whenever she came into the ward, the Marine ignored her and the hospital’s night noises – the clanking of the oxygen tank, the banter among the night staff members, the moans of other patients.

Now and then she heard him say a few consoling words.  Frank remained mute but clutched tightly his son’s hand all through the night. 

The old clock on the wall struck 5:00 AM, each tick another second closer to eternal life.  Then, without warning, Frank’s hand grew limp.  The heart monitor made a continuous beep, the alarm of death.  His son sat quietly, absorbing every moment.  Finally, he said to Frank reverently, “Safe journey to the next world, my brother.  While your life may end . . . your spirit never will.”

Mercifully, the old man took one final breath.  Gone from the hospital bed, the assortment of life support machines, the picture of his family . . . gone to where the burdens of life could not follow.  He’s already in God’s hands now.

While the nurse went through her post-death routine, the Marine waited, continuing to hold Frank’s lifeless hand.  She turned to him and started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her.

“Who was that man?” he asked.

Confusion quickly spread across her face.  “Why, he was your father,” she answered.

“No, he wasn’t,” the Marine replied.  “I never saw him before in my life.  I knew right away when you took me to him,” he admitted, “that a mistake had been made.  I also realized that this man needed his son . . . a son that wasn’t immediately available.  I knew he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, so I stayed.”

My sweet Lord – Help me in all the work I do, to always be sincere and true.  And know that all I'd do for You, must be done for OTHERS too.  Because it is in giving that we receive, it is in putting ourselves last, that we come first.  Amen 

Deer Friends

“Give thanks in all circumstances; this is God’s wish.” – I Thessalonians 5:18

Mike was their ‘unofficial leader’ in the small factory where he, Peter and Art worked.  He was a ‘jokester’ - always playing silly pranks.  Peter adored Mike – always following his lead.  Then there was Art – quiet and aloof.

Art wore the same clothes for work every day.  He never joined in the games they played at lunch (cards, horseshoes, etc.).  He seemed indifferent, always sitting quietly alone under a tree instead.   As such, Art was a natural target for practical jokes.  He might find a live frog in his tool box, or a dead mouse in his locker. But he always took it in good humor.

One autumn, Mike and Peter took off a few days to go deer hunting.  They promised to share any meat they killed.

The factory buzzed with anticipation when they learned Mike shot a huge buck.  As promised, Mike processed the deer and made nice packages for each of them.  For a joke, he saved the ears, tail, and hoofs for Art.

Meat packages were presented at the next lunch break.  Mike saved Art’s, the largest of all, for last.  Peter could hardly contain his laughter.  Mike smugly pushed Art’s gift over to where he could reach it.  They waited.

Art rarely spoke.  So they were astounded when he rose to his feet and smiled broadly.  Eyes moist with emotion, he collected himself before speaking.

“I knew you wouldn't forget me,” he said gratefully, “You're big and playful, but I knew you had a good heart.”

He swallowed hard, choking back tears.  “You must think I’m rude ignoring you.  Truthfully, I've got nine kids and a bedridden wife.  Sometimes when she's real bad off, I sit up all night to take care of her.  Don’t feel much like ruining your days with my sad story.”

“I eat by myself ‘cause I’m a little ashamed - I don't always have anything between my sandwich.   That’s why this meat means so much to me . . . maybe more than to anybody else.”  Wiping tears from his cheeks with the back of his hand he continued, “Tonight my kids will eat like royalty for a change.”

He gripped his package, before Mike or Peter could snatch it away from him.  Art broke the wrapper and stared at its contents.  He examined each hoof, each ear, and then he held up the tail.  It wiggled limply; which ordinarily would have been funny.  Nobody laughed.

Things got much worse when Art looked up and said 'Thank you,' trying to smile.  One by one each man stepped forward, and placed his package in front of Art.  Suddenly they realized how little their own gift had really meant to them, until now.

Jesus – help me be grateful in ALL circumstances – good and bad, happy and sad.  Hear the song in my heart about the many blessing You bestow on me and help me remind others too.  Amen.

A Forever Kind of Love

"The Lord Said, I have loved you with an everlasting love!” – Jeremiah 31:3

Sarah and Cameron were in love.  Not the purely physical or romantic type of love, but the “do-whatever-it- takes-to-make-you-happy” kind of love - unconditionally. 

There was one problem: Cam was a soldier and being stationed overseas.  The night before his departure, they decided to dine at Fishbone’s – the site of their very first date.  Following a delicious meal, the waiter brought a cake that read WILL YOU MARRY ME?  A beautiful engagement ring adorned the top of the cake.   A dozen roses completed the proposal.

It was perfect; so sweet.  Sarah managed an exuberant “Yes!” through a flood of emotional tears.  They promised to marry when he returned from his foreign mission.

Tragedy struck just days after he departed.  Sarah’s Prius met a drunk driver’s SUV head-on.  She awoke in the hospital days later to crying parents.  She knew immediately that something was seriously wrong.  She’d learn soon enough that her once lovely face was now horribly disfigured.  The face that stared back at her in the mirror drew shock and horror.  “I’m repulsive,” she sobbed. “He’ll never want me now!”

Consumed by fear and desperation, she decided to liberate her fiancé from their promise.  She’d try and forget about him and vowed never to see him again.

Cam continued writing adoring love letters, but received no response.  He phoned her many times but she never returned his calls.  What to do?

His military service complete, he returned home - no fanfare, no hero’s welcome.  Time to move on with his life, he reasoned. 

Sarah learned of his return.  Oh the dreams they had imagined, now shattered - gone forever.  Time to move on with her life.  A hostage to her own isolation, she barely noticed her Mom had entered the room.  Lacking expression, Mom handed Sarah a wedding invitation.  “He’s getting married,” she said delicately.

The girl’s heart sank.  Of course she still loved him.  Forgetting Cam had proven impossible.  With great sadness, she opened the wedding announcement . . . and she saw her own name on it! 

As if on cue, Cameron entered her room with a bouquet of flowers.  He knelt beside her and asked, “Will you marry me?”

She immediately covered her face and replied, “I’m so ugly, you couldn’t  . . .” 

He interrupted, “Without permission, your Mom sent me your photos.  Nothing has changed my dear Sarah!  You’re still the person I fell in love with.  You’re still as beautiful as ever, because I love you!”

They married . . . for always - the way God inspired us, the way God intended; not dependent on what we say, do or look like . . . just because!

Loving God, You mean that You love me in any condition I find myself in?”  Why is it so hard for me to grasp the term unconditional love?  Probably because I have such a hard time loving myself that way.  Help me please, Amen.