A Lesson From the Dogs

Gracie is the first to respond to each and every alarm that’s sounded—she quits whatever she’s doing and charges toward the point of concern. I’ve seen Puppers bark a warning, race toward the threat only so far, then fall back to what she’s watching over as soon as Gracie arrives. Gracie spends every night roaming, keeping watch on the perimeter while Puppers is the one who stays in the yard.

When Gracie comes home in the morning Puppers cares for her, whether it's licking her sore and sometimes bloody feet or pulling the burs from her hair.

Although we didn’t assign them, each dog has a job in our family—a job given them by God, one that fits with how they were created. If Gracie didn’t do her job, we wouldn’t have blueberries because the deer would eat the bushes as they did before she came to stay with us. If Puppers decided she was too tired or over worked to care for the needs of others, Gracie would limp and ache all night, making it so she wouldn’t be as effective as she is, not to mention the burrs and sticks that would get matted in her fur. Forcing Gracie to stay home at night by tying her up makes her miserable and Puppers is happiest when she’s nurturing someone, whether it’s Gracie, one of the cats, or one of us. Each dog not only does her job, but she takes great joy in the role she plays in our family.

As Christians we should be the same way. Some of us are assigned to the perimeter, roaming far from home, while some of us stay in the yard and minister to the others as they return or touch base. Each role is necessary and if one of us neglects our job for whatever reason, the whole family is affected.

I never see Puppers ignore someone who comes to her for nurturing—if it’s breathing, or supposed to breathe, she’s there, caring for their needs and showing her love and concern. She doesn’t seem to care that she doesn’t get out of the yard much, that she’s left behind and misses out on the exciting stuff. Washing feet is fine with her, even when they’re caked with mud and who knows what else. I’ve seen her spend an hour cleaning Gracie’s feet while the big dog sleeps, then lay down to rest and end up with a cat nestled in to her. She doesn't care that it's a cat and not puppy, only that she's there for the one who needs her.

Makes me wonder about myself. Am I doing the work God has given me to do? Am I taking as much delight in fulfilling my God-given job as my dogs are?

Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it. Colossians 4:17

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Look, Mom!

Normally I'm a very laid-back mom who doesn't get shook up over much. Normally.

Wanna see what turned me into a shrieking shrew? (Seriously. Ask my kids.)

Can you see what my son brought home?
Adorable? yes.
But it was enough to push me over the edge.

I mean, this isn't a critter that you can just release, pat on the head, and say "Run along, now" to. But that's about what this son of mine thought--without the pats of course.

I asked him if he was Superman.
Loud enough for the whole county to hear.
Seriously.

*eye roll*


So tell me, what's the best your kids have brought home?
Come on, please tell me. I'm still trying to see the funny side of this.

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Feeding Frenzy

I love this time of year, but it's a bitter-sweet. See, hummingbirds fascinate me. Each year I put out my feeders and watch for the first hummer to appear and write down the date on the card I have my hummer feed recipie on. (A recipie card for hummer feed—something so simple to make? Yes! Because every winter I forget how much sugar to use.) Then I enjoy watching the hummers all summer. They delight and amaze me!

Once September slips in, I know I have to keep a close eye on my feeders because the feeding frenzy starts as the hummers tank up for the migration south. Our resident hummers grow plump and those already migrating stop for a layover at our feeders and things get busy out there.

You know, we always have a few hummers that like to horde the feeder and keep the whole thing for themselves. They'll sit on top of the feeder and scare off any others that come for feeding. Don't they realize I won't let the feeder run dry? That there's plenty for everyone? I wonder if they whine about how lonely they are or how they never seem to really connect with anyone on a close personal level...

It reminds me of some Christians at the wonderful, never-gonna-run-out feeder of God's grace and salvation. Some of us try to horde it, keeping it all to ourselves. Some seem to chase off others as they come to feed. And some simply settle in to eat with the others, peacefully, even enjoying the fellowship and inviting others to join them.

It's made me stop and think about how I want to be and evaluate how I am. It's also made me think about whether or not I'm hitting the feeder of God's Word enough to enable me to complete my journey well. Those hummers don't just take a sip and expect it to carry them through. They keep coming back and coming back and coming back. They tank up. Am I tanking up? Repeatedly?

So how about you? Are you hogging the feeder or inviting others to join you? And are you hitting the feeder of God's Word enough to carry you across the miles you have to go?

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Brushing Grace

The other day, after a storm rolled through cooling things off some, Gracie came out of hiding. It's been so hot here that the poor girl has been miserable. She knows every mud hole around here and likes their coolness. My Great Pyrenees has been perpetually muddy, making her look ridiculous. She still has a fair bit of her winter coat but wouldn't come out of her cool spots, so I've not been able to brush her. I felt bad for her and have been concerned for her with all that unnecessary fur on, so when she appeared one afternoon after VBS, I went right out.




I brushed.

And brushed.

And brushed some more until there were two mountains of fur.

I spent almost two hours working on her while she rested and dozed in the shade. I couldn't help but think about how many mountains of unnecessary fur are clinging to me, suffocating me and slowing me down in the heat of this world. All I need to do is haul myself out of my mud hole and go to Jesus. He'll brush me and work out all the fur that I don't need. Gently and lovingly.

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. ~Matthew 11:28 NAS

For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes. ~Jeremiah 31:25 NAS

Don't let the heat of summer drive you to a mud hole. Go straight to Jesus. He's where we'll find comfort and rest from this world and all that weighs us down.

Let God's grace brush you.

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I Saw One!

Earlier this week, as I was running my weekly errands, I looked for turtles as I crossed a river that is studded with them in warm weather. I'm so ready for spring that I've moved on from just watching the robins in my yard. This isn't the first time I looked for turtles this month. Other times I've looked, really hoping that I wouldn't see any because it was so cold out and I didn't want them to come out too early and die in the cold. But this week it was warmer. I really didn't think I'd see any, but I did! I saw one brave turtle out sunning himself. I wanted to do a happy dance right then, but I was zooming down the state highway in a 15 passenger van, so I restrained myself. *grin*

Late last fall I brought out some compost one morning and I was so sad. A pair of little blue birds lay in the leaves, dead. They had waited too long to head south and the bitter cold of the night had killed them. They missed their opportunity because they waited too long.

If I had seen turtles two weeks ago, they could easily have died for coming out too soon...and missed their opportunity because they jumped too soon. (Do you see what I'm getting at?)

How do you know when it's time to jump into something and when it's time wait a little longer?

This is something I've been mulling over recently and I'm really interested in your thoughts on this.


Blogging workshop and
Blog Make-over workshop now available--one starts March 1st.

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The Abominable Snowman & Grace

Years ago we had a wonderful dog, Hagar, and I'll tell you about him some other time, but after he died I prayed for a replacement for him. We've had many dogs over those years, but none replaced Hagar—until this summer.

One day this last summer, my youngest and I found a scared great pyrennes in our back yard. She had on a collar and I expected her owner to appear at any minute. I waited for two weeks, but they never showed up. I called and checked for missing dog notices, but no one was missing a white dog, let alone a well-trained, friendly great pyrennes. (Here she is with my dad.)

In the past, we've had other great pyrennes visit us, and their owner was in our yard in a matter of hours, but this wasn't one of his. I checked. During those short visits, I fell in love with the breed. But there were a few problems. They cost a bundle of money and we've never paid for a dog. I also knew my hubster didn't like long haired animals and he didn't like white animals, either. (LoL—he's opinionated, but that's okay. I still love him!!) So I knew I'd never own a pyrennes, and I was fine with that.

When this “guest” appeared I didn't even hope to keep her. But as time went by and no owner came, we loved her more. When my hubs said we could keep her I knew she was a gift from God. I also knew it was only by God's grace that I had such an awesome dog. When I finally named her, I chose a name that would remind me of just that. I named her Gracie, for God's grace to me.

Marvelous Grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt.
Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,
There where the Blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Grace, Grace, God's Grace.
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within.
Grace, Grace, God's Grace.
Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Every night at bedtime I go out and tie her up for the night so she doesn't circle the house, protecting us with her big bark. Many times that evening walk with Gracie has been a soothing reminder of God's grace in my life.

And He said to me,
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”
~1 Corinthians 12:9




Gracie is a gentle dog who doesn't need constant attention to be happy. She's not always in your face or crawling in your lap, like our previous dog, but when she gets to playing, watch out! She's like an abominable snowman dancing. That's what we often call her, but now, seeing her in the snow, I wonder if she isn't a polar bear instead. Whatever she is, she's won a place in our hearts and I'm so thankful for her.

When I get to feeling down or when I feel like I'm up against giants, Gracie is a visual and tactile reminder of God's grace.

So tell me, do you have any visual reminders of God's grace in your life?

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Puddled Ducks

Driving past an empty field the other day I saw a pair of ducks floating in a puddle. I wanted to stop and tell them that there was a beautiful farm pond only half-a-mile away, but I realized the silliness of the thought even as I sped past.

I think I'm like those ducks--contentedly sitting in my muddy puddle, satisfied with so little when God has so much more for me. I sit and twiddle my toes in mud instead of moving to the place God wants me to be—a place of blessing and great riches. A place where God can use me.

Why do I do that? It's easier to stay in my cozy hole than it it to face the unknown. It's easier to sit in my puddle than to spread my wings and fly to a spot I've only heard is 'just over there'. It's easier to mind my own business than to possibly embarrass myself.

I cannot know the riches of His glory while sitting in my little mud puddle. I need to move to the pond God has for me in order to experience the surpassing greatness of His power.

Father, open the eyes of my heart that I may know the hope of Your calling.

“I pray that the eyes of your heart
may be enlightened,
so that your may know what is
the hope of His calling,
what are the riches of the
glory of His inheritance in the saints,
and what is the surpassing greatness
of His power toward us who believe.”
Ephesians 1:18-19 (NAS)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We have two winners today, wrapping up the final Book Bonanza giveaway! But never fear, (LoL, that's such a fun phrase to use!) we'll still have one or two giveaways each week. :] I have authors scheduled through the first week of January and some even beyond that, so be sure to drop by each week for the Author Spotlights!

The winner of Christina Berry's book, The Familiar Stranger is Joanne.

And Abby is the winner of Susan Page Davis' book, Hearts in the Crosshairs.

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A Sheep in Mule's Clothing

The month of September has been unlike any other time in my life! We've been manning a booth at a couple of fairs, and lemme tell ya, it's been quite the experience! We finished the first fair late Monday night and started the second fair yesterday, and although I have several ideas I'm itching to write up, I just have not had the time. I've been jotting notes down though, so I'll get them written eventually. I have no idea what this week will hold for me, so I'm being flexible...and working fast in the moments I have. LoL

For me, the fair means animals. I loooove walking through the barns and talking to, and petting, the horses...and seeing the cows and... Well, you get the idea. So, since I had to pick a rerun for today's post, I went for one of my favorites...

Not too far from my house a man has a pair of mules and they're fun to see as we zoom past on our way to town. We've seen them scratching each other's backs, whispering sweet nothings in each other's ears and even just resting companionably in the sunshine.

This time past I noticed one was lying down resting and the other was nearby grazing, and I saw the evidence of their consistency. Where they lie down is worn down to bare dirt in an almost perfect circle, but beyond that circle all is green. I really wanted to stop and scratch their ears and tell them that if they would move their resting area over just ten feet they'd have nice soft, green grass to lie on. Do you think they'd listen to me and move? No, probably not. In that I'm just like those mules. I'm so stuck in my rut that I don't want to move even just a few feet to a nicer place.

God has provided me, and has offered me, a beautiful place to rest, but I stubbornly insist on staying in the same place I've aways been. I have a lot of mule in me and it's not how God meant me to be. He has green pastures and still waters for me, not just a small, hard packed circle of dirt. Maybe it's time for me to stop acting like a mule and remember that I'm a sheep listening to my Shepherd's voice and enjoy the good He has for me.

“The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.”
~Psalm 23:1-3 (NASB)

Maybe tomorrow I'll post a pic or two of our fair experiences but in the meantime, don't forget about the giveaways currently going on here at Patterings! Candy Arrington is giving away a copy of When Your Aging Parent Needs Care: Practical Help for This Season of Life and Terry Brennan is giving away a copy of The Sacred Cipher.
Be sure to leave a comment to be entered in the book drawings.

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Absorbing Heat

I watched the sugar dissolve as I stirred up another batch of hummingbird feed and marveled that it didn't all dissolve until I heated the mixture. Sure, I could've let it sit on the counter for a couple hours, but I wanted to get the food out to my hummers as soon as possible, so I popped the mixture in the microwave for a quick heat so the sugar would be absorbed by the water, making tasty food for my favorite little birds.

It made me think of my dad--he's declared that hummers like his feed mixture better than what my mom fixes. Wanna know his secret? He super-saturates his mix with extra sugar. He pulls out a little saucepan and heats the water and sugar to make sure it all gets absorbed by the water, then he cools it and fills the hummer feeders. And it's true—hummers love being at his feeders.

My Heavenly Father does something similar with us, His children. He turns the heat up under us so we can absorb more of Him and be better and sweeter feed for others. Without the heat, we wouldn't absorb Him as quickly, nor as much.

For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison. 2 Corinthians 4:17

So when the heat gets turned up in your life remember there's a reason for it and absorb all you can.

Don't forget the book giveaway that's going on this week!

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Missing Linus

Linus, my beloved cat, is gone. He went out one night and didn't come home the next day. By mid-morning I had a good idea that he wouldn't be coming back because he had never done that before. He was bottle fed as a kitten and had always loved being in the house with us, even though my younger boys aggravated him by always wanting to snuggle with him. (He was soooo soft!) He would go out and follow the kids all around the yard and field as they played, just like a dog. We had him for 1 1/2 years and he grew big, lazy and very adept at communicating what he wanted. I have to admit that I truly miss him.

Living out in the midst of cornfields, like we do, losing small animals isn't unusual. There are dogs running loose, not to mention the coyotes and foxes. Predators abound both on the ground and in the air and small animals have to be kept close. The farther they roam from home the more likely they are to be injured or killed by a predator .

The same is true for us as Christians. Predators abound in our lives and they're out to get us.

Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ~I Peter 5:8

Our safety is found in God's shelter, in His dwelling place. The farther we roam from our Father, the greater the chance of being tormented by our adversary.

For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper, and from the deadly pestilence. ~Psalm 91:3

The eternal God is a dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms; ~Deuteronomy 33:27

For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; ~Psalm27:5

How close to home are you?

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Pick me!

Monday Manna is hosted this week at An Open Book.

One of my favorite scenes in Shrek (the first one) is actually the menu. If you don't choose fast enough, Donkey will start bounding up and down, hollering “Pick me!” Ever since I first saw that, there have been times when my soul has cried out with him, “Pick me, Lord, pick me!” But I'm finding that, at times, I'm just like a little kid sitting in the classroom. No, not the one bouncing up and down, waving, and saying “Oh, oh!”, but the one studiously rubbing the scratch in the desk, hoping the teacher doesn't notice her and call on her.

I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. ~Romans 12:1

Slithering down in your chair when the teacher is looking for volunteers, or even slipping out the door, is not “presenting your body a living and holy sacrifice”. It's trying to get out of service. When we do that to God (and we do!), we're trying to get out of service, which is not acceptable to God, just like it's not acceptable to the teacher.

How many times have you shown up somewhere to help or work with a smile and a willing spirit? How many times have you gotten up in the morning wearing a smile, eager to do even do the dirty jobs for your family--simply because you want to serve them, and so serve God? I'll answer that one (for myself). Not many times at all. Sure, there are times I'm like Donkey jumping up and down hollering “Pick me, pick me!”, eager to serve God as He's wanting me to. Other times I have my heels dug in the ground like a donkey, doing all I can to get out of doing the thing God is asking me to.

Presenting my body--myself--as a living sacrifice is something that I usually have to do on a moment-by-moment basis, and one that I struggle with greatly. Selfishness is like a fence that keeps me caged up, far away from willingness to serve, and far away from peace, joy and freedom.

This is one time that I want to be like Donkey—always. I want to be willing and eager to do what my Lord and Savior asks of me, and to do it joyfully. I want God to be able to use me.

Pick me, Lord, pick me!


Don't forget to stop by An Open Book
for links to more thoughts on Romans 12:1.

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Oh, Deer!

Okay, I'll admit it. Sometimes I'm not the most patient of drivers—especially when I feel like I'm running late, which is quite often. Living in the country means we get to enjoy the local wildlife, and at this time of year, it's more local then we'd like.

I was stuck behind an out-of-state SUV, who was stuck behind a work van that was enjoying his coffee as he putzed along our rural highway. We rounded a bend, and knowing the road as I do, I was ready to let my heavy foot fall and zoom past the slow pokes. But another feature of autumn out in the country, is the abundance of grain trucks. So, instead of stomping on the gas, I gnashed my teeth—for all of five seconds. Why only five seconds? Because a doe and her fawn darted out from the woods and raced across the road. Well, let me rephrase that. The doe trotted while the fawn slipped and slid along behind her.

Mr. Coffee drinker probably ended up wearing some of his coffee, but if I had been passing him, as I planned, there would've been a nasty wreck. As it was, all four of us laid on our brakes and the deer crossed safely. It served as a reminder to me to me that it's time to wake up and watch for deer.

As I (slowly) cruised along, thanking God, I realized I that I needed to change how I drive through life. Racing, trying to get ahead, or to make up for lost time, may end up costing me more time in the long run, and it could jeopardize my family and those around me.

Some stretches of the road are notorious deer crossings, and being aware of them gives drivers an edge by being alert and prepared. That preparation may well make a huge difference in our lives. Hitting a deer isn't always damaging—we've hit many over the years, but we know the damage they can do. Just like sin can damage lives.

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ~1 Peter 5:8

Not being aware of my surroundings leaves me unprepared for those sudden surprises that pop out at me—like deer crossing the road, and sin lurking in the bushes. What do you do when sin jumps out of the trees and starts running into your path? Are we sitting ducks? No! Here's Paul's advice:

Put on the full armor of God, that your may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
~Ephesians 6:11

Being equipped with God's armor gives us an edge, enabling us to deal with sin that runs at us. We're not sitting ducks unless we're unprepared. Being alert and prepared can save us from mishaps and accidents, not to mention out of sin.

Buckle on God's armor and drive safely!

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Summer's End

Well, summer is officially coming to an end for me. The hummingbirds are migrating south and we're hosting a batch of them as they stop and tank up before continuing their journey. Every year at this time we have a feeding frenzy and it's amazing to watch. I was just standing out there, listening to the whirring of their wings as they zoomed past me and fought over the feeder. We had 6-8 hummers at one time perched and eating—after they had worked out their differences. LoL.

I love seeing the hummers. They're some of God's coolest creations, at least in my book, and I hate seeing them leave. All summer I enjoy watching them, and I miss them all winter and wait for them all spring, cheering when I spot the first ones.

The hummers know when to move on, and they do. What about me? Am I tuned in to God so I can feel the change and know when to move on? I want to be. I don't want to stubbornly stay and end up shivering and shaking through a cold night I was never meant to be in.

Lord, help me know when to spread my wings and fly, and lead me in the path You have for me. Please, give me courage and help me to follow Your prompting and trust in You. Thank You for being my refuge. I love You, Lord...in Your Son's name, amen.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!"
For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper
And from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.
Psalm 91:1-4

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Covered Peep Holes

My laptop sits right beside my dining room windows, making it so I can do all that I need to do in a day: keep track of, and be available to kids, home school, and my computer work. I love my windows, they're my peep holes to the world, but earlier this summer a small stone was thrown from the mower. It was just a tiny stone, but it's had a lasting impression on my poor window. Cardboard now covers a third of the bottom pane of glass, effectively cutting off my view as I sit and work. If I lean a foot to the right I can see the hummingbird feeder through another side of the window, but the cardboard prevents me from watching out of the corner of my eye.

This time of the year it's a feeding frenzy as the hummers stop and refuel on their migration South. They are incredible to watch and I'm missing out on many of their antics because of that cardboard.

There are things in my life that are doing the same thing as the cardboard on my window--they're blocking my view of all that God has for me to see. It's hard to do things that you don't even know need doing, so not only am I not seeing things, I'm also not doing the things God wants me to do.

What is hindering, or even preventing us from obeying God? We need to remove the obstruction and press on.

...let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross...
~Hebrews 12:1-2

There may be things in our lives, possibly even good things, that are blocking the blessings of God's best. We may be serving in the nursery, which is a very good and needed service, but maybe God has a Sunday School that we should be teaching instead. Maybe He's given us talents and gifts that we could be using for Him and we don't see them because we're busy doing other things. We need to search out the specific things He wants us to do, and then clear the path to doing them.

The cardboard patch on my window is only a temporary patch, but it's been there for weeks now. What temporary things in my life have I allowed to linger and that are now causing problems for me? Sometimes a temporary, short term commitment we made stretches out and takes up residence in our life. We need to stop and examine things and search out whether those have outlived their purpose or if they're things that God wants us doing.

We need to remove the things blocking and hindering us and pursue those things God has laid out for us. Sometimes that means making repairs, other times it's getting rid of, and still other times it's getting up and moving. Whatever it is, it will be more than worthwhile as we fully see what God wants us to see.

Our blessings and joy will multiply as we fix our eyes on Christ and do what He has for us to do.

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Of Hummers and Boas

From my computer chair I can see one of my hummingbird feeders. This year we have more hummers than we have in past years and it's been fun watching them zip around. They load light and come often. Their eating habits are completely different than a boa constrictor's. A boa will eat only sporadically, as needed, and their meal will be many times the size of a hummingbird's tiny sips.

Is either of them wrong in their eating habits? No, they are exactly as God made them. But yanno, if I had to choose between being a boa or a hummingbird, I'd choose to be a hummer every time.

Even in my spiritual life I'd rather be like a little hummer, stopping often throughout my days. Yes, we need 'heavy' spiritual meals—times of prolonged study, but we also need to make frequent stops to sip from God's refreshing feeders that are always full of nectar—His Word and prayer. A steady diet will sweeten our life.

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Fiction Friday: Ginny G.

Ginny Giraffe awoke one morning to sweet singing in the branches above her. Standing very carefully and quietly, she peered through the leaves. She didn’t even need to stand on tiptoe to see Lark sitting in her nest as she sang.

“Good morning, Lark. Why are you singing?”

“Good morning, Ginny G. Why am I singing?” she chirped. “Well, I sing because I’m happy.”

Ginny G. slowly blinked her big brown eyes. “Why are you happy?”

“It’s a beautiful morning.” Lark happily trilled.

As Ginny G. nibbled her breakfast leaves Butterfly danced nearby. “Good morning, Ginny G.” she called out.

“Good morning, Butterfly.” Ginny G. responded politely. “What are you doing?”

“I’m dancing in the breeze,” Butterfly answered.

She lifted his nose into the breeze, smelling carefully. “Why?”

Butterfly did a double flip as she answered. “Because I’m happy, that’s why.”

Ginny G. slowly blinked her big brown eyes. “Why are you happy?”

Butterfly giggled as she swooped past Ginny’s nose. “Because I can fly!” Then she raced off to join her cousins playing tag.

Looking far across the grassland Ginny spotted her friend Gnu and decided to visit him. Stretching her long legs she ran swiftly, wishing she had wings. “Maybe I could be happy then,” she thought.

Gnu was playing when she arrived. He was having so much fun kicking up his heels that he didn’t notice Ginny right away.

“Oh, hi there, Ginny G. Whatcha’ doing?” Gnu asked when he finally stood still for a moment.

“I’m just watching you,” Ginny replied. “Why are you playing like that, Gnu?” she asked.

“Wahoo, because I’m happy!” Gnu hollered as he spun around again.

Ginny G. slowly blinked her big brown eyes. “Why are you happy?”

That made Gnu stop and stare at her. “Why am I happy?” he asked, surprised. “I don’t know, just because I am.” Gnu kicked up his heels and galloped a circle around her.

Ginny watched him a while longer then wandered over to Zebra who was grazing on the tough grass nearby.

“C'mon, Ginny G. let's race to the water hole,” Zebra said as soon as Ginny G. got close. Without another word Zebra ran a circle around her and took off. Ginny could hear him laughing as he galloped across the grassland so she ran along. With her long legs it didn't take long to catch up to him.

“Zebra, why are you laughing?” Ginny G. called out as they ran together.

“Because I love running, it makes me happy.” Zebra said as they neared the water hole. He circled around it and kept running but Ginny G. laid down in the tall grass under a tree and rested her head on a nearby branch, she didn’t want anyone to see her.

Soon Tortoise trundled along.

“Ginny G. why is your face so long and why aren’t you out playing with the other young grassland animals?” Tortoise asked kindly. He was a wise old tortoise who cared for his friends.

Ginny G. sadly sighed. “Everyone else has something to make them happy, but I don’t. I’ll never be happy.”

Tortoise chuckled. “Ginny G, you have many things to make you happy, you just need to open your eyes and see them.” Ginny G. slowly blinked her big brown eyes. “God didn't give you a voice to sing, or wings to fly, or even short legs like Gnu to spin and jump on. He gave you a long neck and long legs so you could see far into the distance with your beautiful, keen eyes.”

The corners of Ginny G's mouth lifted in a small smile. “I have beautiful eyes?” she asked.

“Ah, yes,” Tortoise replied. “Big beautiful eyes. But even more important than your eyes, Ginny G. is the fact that God loves you. You are so special to Him that He put you here in the perfect place. This is just the right place for a giraffe. And not only that, but He gave you your family and friends. He loves you an awful lot, Ginny G.”

Ginny G. slowly blinked her big brown eyes and smiled at Tortoise. “You're right, Tortoise. I can be happy because God loves me so much.”

Ginny stood up and looked around, seeing all the things God gave her because He loved her so much. She had so many reasons to be happy. Lowering her head down as close to the ground as she could she gave Tortoise a special smile.

“Thank you for being my friend, Tortoise. You are a wonderful gift from God.” She bent her knees and gave him a kiss on his tough, wrinkly cheek, then turned and sailed across the grassland to join her friends in a game of tag.
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I love writing for children and I needed a happy story for this week, so I went straight for Ginny G. I hope she made you smile.

Thank you for joining us for Fiction Friday, whether you're posting fiction or reading--or both. If you're posting, put a link to us here at Patterings, and add your name and url address to the Mr. Liknky gadget. If you're reading, click on the names and it will take you to another story. Enjoy!

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Betty Bee and the Long Tongue

This week's Fiction Friday is:
Betty Bee

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;”
Ephessians 4:11-12 (NAS)

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We'd love to have you join us for Fiction Fridays! Just post your fiction on your blog with a link to here at Patterings, then come and leave your name and blog url in the Mr. Linky box just below here and enjoy the other fiction.

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Turtle Crossing

It's the time of year when the turtles come out and we often see them crossing the road. Just the other day there was a little box turtle three-quarters the way across the road and he was just sitting there, hiding in his shell. He was so close to safety, but he couldn't know that with his head pulled in like it was.

So many times I do the same thing--I get three-quarters the way through the hard time or problem and then pull into my shell in an attempt to forget what's going on or to protect myself from perceived danger, when actually all I'm doing is making myself sit in the situation longer, and leaving myself in a place where I'm likely to be run over.

If that little box turtle would just come out of his shell and get back to walking, he'd have a better chance of making it across the road safely than he does all pulled into his shell.

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