Don't Judge a Turkey

I did something today I've never done before...I petted a turkey.  This is him.  Noooo--I did not paint it-it's a photo.   I took a day off today, but I have a little story to tell.

I had a preplanned lunch with a dear friend....then just when I got back home to work in my office the phone rang.

It was our youngest daughter.  She was out and about with our grandson (19 mo) and wanted to know if I wanted to take a little car ride.  It was a beautiful fall day today....blue skies....trees starting to turn....stuffy house.....I said YES.

We drove out in a direction I've never taken and discovered a small farm, with a farm animal petting zoo and pumpkins.   It was a $1 per person.  I'd spent all my cash at lunch.  So we scrounged the bottom of our purses and came up with $2...$1 short.    The farmer's wife said don't worry about it and even insisted we take a little pumpkin for Lincoln.

So I got to pet a horse, goats, a donkey and cow, ponies and this turkey.  The farmer's wife said he is wild.  He wandered on to their farm 2 years ago and stayed.  She scratched his head and stroked his sides and told us to go ahead and try.   He was amazingly soft and sooo colorful.  This picture doesn't do him justice.  His head is PURPLE and his wattle bright red.  And I was amazed at his demeanor.  I always thought male turkeys were a little mean.  Not this guy.  I had prejudged this poor turkey.

Kind of reminds me of the scripture in James 2:2-10 which talks about a man with a gold ring and a poor man coming into the assembly.  The man with the bright clothes and gold ring is given the best seat.  The poor man is told to sit on the floor.    James says we have despised the poor, simply because of their appearance and that is judging which is a sin.

I judged that turkey based on his rather repulsive appearance.  A wrinkly, warty head, and a long dangly thing from his nose..uh beak... is not exactly beauty contest material.  Yet he was rather a kindly gentleman and quickly became a favorite.

Are there people we have shunned or ignored simply because of their appearance?  They don't fit our definition of 'beauty' so we turn our backs.   Man looks on the outside, God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).  We need to love our neighbors as ourselves....that fulfills all the law.

I learned today to not judge a turkey by his appearance--glad I didn't miss that autumn opportunity.
Laura

We Are His

I don't think I could paint this scene because it is a picture only my heart could paint.  My love for my family.  It was my mom's 80th birthday today.  She is mostly home bound due to many health issues.  God blessed us and allowed her a good day and opportunity for my daughters and her great grandkids to be with her.  (The daughters' hubbys were working.)  We had an impromptu lunch:  pizzas and visited for a while.  

Mom ooohed and ahhhhed over pictures colored by the little ones especially for her.  She called me later, teary eyed and lump in her throat to say how precious it was to have us all there for her birthday.

Family is a beautiful treasure, despite the flaws we may have.  God did create each of us to be individual and beautiful.  We need to love each other and appreciate God's workmanship.

Treasure your family - hug often, forgive frequently and Love always.
Laura

Water With Love

Tea parties are very important at our house.  It's a tradition I started when my first granddaughter was old enough to hold a little pink plastic teapot.  We have berries, cookies, jam, and lots of pretend tea - everywhere.   To catch all the 'tea,' I cover the table with big beach towels - or the floor if we're have a tea picnic.  And now the little grand boys  participate.  (They got tall enough to see cookies on the table.)

It's also a bonding time.  We talk in silly voices about silly things. Mostly,  I hope I'm leaving a heritage of love.  I pray that this may bring us closer for times ahead when they may seek advice or counsel.  Even as little as they are we talk about God and I hope that always continues.

Painting this illustration made me think about the need to build our relationships with new Christians too.  They need nurturing and guidance as much as a small child.  Why not a tea party - or coffee and dessert?    And then we must also water the ground wherever we go, making opportunity to spread God's love.

According to His word - as we water, we shall be watered (blessed) by God in return.  How beautiful is that?  Give refreshing to someone who may be dry and thirsty.  Time is so precious and our life a vapor that quickly passes (James 4:14) , make time to share His love.

May you bless and be blessed today.
Laura

Carrots of Affection

This rabbit doodle I did in May made me recall a 'carrot' God used to teach me a lesson.  It was about 24 years ago when we lived in a subdivision in Burton, Michigan.

Across the street lived Jenny.  She was a scrawny little girl, usually wearing grimy clothes.  She had stringy hair, dirty fingernails and was all elbows, bony knees and big brown eyes.  She was the youngest in a large family.  Her parents were in their very late 40s.

Many times I observed Jenny walking bare foot on a chilly day or riding her big wheeled bike out into the street. No parent ever came to call her in or tell her to stay on the sidewalk. So with my baby in tow I would go out and tell her to get back on the sidewalk or go in and get shoes.

One summer day when our daughter was about four, Jenny (5), came over to our yard and asked to play. I never let our daughter play at Jenny's because  I was afraid there would be no supervision.  So that day the girls played on our front porch.   I went back in the house to begin supper keeping an eye on the girls.  I peeled some carrots and started slicing them.   I took some carrot sticks outside and handed my daughter some.  Then I reached over and gave some to Jenny.

Jenny looked at me with her mouth open.  I thought she was going to tell me she didn't like carrots.  She started to walk away and then turned back.  She wrapped her arms around my legs and hips, knocking me back a bit.  Just as quickly she was gone.  She never said thank you, but the message was clear.   My breath caught in my throat.   Carrots.   I hadn't given her ice cream, or chocolate, just plain carrots.   Yet those carrots somehow touched her.  Was she that starved for affection?

I made it a point to let Jenny come over more often.  She was a bit domineering and not shy to use bribery and coercion to get what she wanted from our daughter.  But I tried to treat her as one of mine.  If she needed hugging I hugged.  If she needed scolding I did it gently.  Sadly we moved away in August of that year.  I've often wondered what became of her.

This morning when remembering the carrot story - I realized I had been withholding love from this little child because she wasn't from 'my kind' of household.  I was always reserved about mingling with Jenny.  God had to use a carrot to hit me over the head and remind me that this child was His.  That she needed love and affection the same as my children.

Do we sometimes withhold ourselves from others because they are different?  Do we hold back from making new friendships?  Do we fail to call someone to say we're thinking about them, or miss them?  Do we keep from praying with someone, or telling someone that God can help?Someone may not be physically hungry, but they may be starving for a bit of attention, a crumb of affection.

 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.   (Matthew 25:42-45)

May you find time today for the least of these,
Laura.

Getting Your Own Way!

     This was a fun picture to sketch and paint.   The little boy wants his blanket back - the puppy is up to mischief - and the poor cat is suffering the consequences of both actions.
     So often when people demand THEIR own way it is because it seems right to them.
Wanting our own way is instinctive. Our actions are governed by what is in our heart.  If God is not within, then our actions will be without God's love or guiding wisdom.
     Proverbs 28:14 states ". . . he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief."  And hardened hearts and mischief  will either hurt others or influence negatively.
     If we seem to be around people who demand their own way, always making known their opinions, then we know they need our prayers for God to be in their heart.  And frankly, prayers are better said than unkind words from my...er...uhm.... our mouths.  And for me, those prayers need to be said for my own heart first.
    And I just realized while writing this that oft times when I think I'm allowing someone to have their way (whether it's a bigger piece of pie, use their idea instead of mine) I also need to realize that it was not me that allowed it.   Rather it is God in my heart that overcame my flesh.  God is so good!
    May God be in your heart today!
    Laura

God Sings Over Us!

Did you realize that God sings over us with an deep, passionate love?       The first time I read this scripture I cried with joy. The thought that the Lord would sing over me gripped my heart and melted away years of self-doubt and feelings of unworthiness.   Look at the entire verse:
     "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing."

   God. Sings. Over. You.    You are cherished by Him.   As a parent sings over their child to comfort and soothe, to show love and devotion, so God demonstrates His love to us.  And imagine the song of the creator!  
       Don't think about the mistakes you've made, your inadequacies, or your past. Come to Him as a child and listen to the sweet refrain of the One who made you.  Listen to the melody created just for you.  Let Him wash away your fears, and fill you with hope.  Embrace the song of the One who loves you more than anything.
     Blessings on your day.
     Laura


Illustration Note:  I painted this scene for my daughter for the invitation to her baby shower.  (She has a thing for turtles.) It was done in watercolor with digital enhancement.

Have You Drawn Close To God?

From the beginning God has loved us.  

Have you drawn close to Him?   

There is an old hymn that I love that goes like this, 

There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.

O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us, who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.

"It is good for me to draw near to God"  Psalm 73:28

May the Lord bless your heart today.

Laura

Do People Know You Love Them? Say It NOW!!

 If today were your last day with someone, child or adult, will they know that you love them?

Like you, my heart has been mourning the loss of life at Sandyhook Elementary School. Like you my husband and I watched horrified and sickened as the news unfolded.  Our stomach in knots, our eyes filled with tears.  Sleep was not easy for you either, I'm sure.  I went to sleep crying for the families.

Saturday morning I had to face a rehearsal for our Children's Church Christmas Program with a dozen 4 yr old to 6th graders.  I woke early, not wanting to do the  practice. Each time I thought of looking into the eyes of the children I started weeping for those that were slain.  I went to the church very early and I prayed.  I prayed for the families in Newtown, I prayed for their community, the first responders, the clergy and grief counselors, and then I prayed for myself to get through the practice and for the children in my charge.

Then a peace that passed all understanding swept over me.

The children brought comfort amidst sadness.

God reminded me of  something that a first grade teacher at Sandyhook said when she was being interviewed Friday night after the tragedy. She had locked all her students and herself in a tiny bathroom.  Tearfully she explained (paraphrased) that she started telling her students how much she loved them, because she was fearful  they were all going to be killed and  she didn't want the last thing they heard to be gunshots, but rather someone saying, 'I love you.'

I love you.  

Our beautiful children saying the ABCs of Christmas -
L was for the King of Love

Peace surfaced for me from something so simple, but so deeply effective.  It seemed God whispered to me, 'Just let the children know you love them...you'll get through the practice.'  I started the practice out by having the children sit in a circle with me.  Then I said, "I love you. All of the adults here love you.  And God loves you most.  That's why  this Christmas program is so important.  So we can tell others that God loves them too."

For 17 years, I've been doing these Christmas programs  - the last practices are always rough and frustrating.  But Saturday's practice was indescribably polished and, dare I say, easy?  Was it all because the priority was not perfect delivery, but was to let the children know they were loved?   That no matter if they messed up their lines or missed a cue or misbehaved, we loved them.   

The children celebrating God's Gift of Love

I've always cared for the children in my classes.  But I have never felt the immediate urgency and priority to make sure that at that very moment I was with them, that very day, they knew they were loved.  That if it was the last time I could be with them, they would know I loved them.  I hugged them all after practice and Sunday's performance was awesome.  It was good to find joy again.  Like you though, I've still been mourning and overcome by tears, but now I know what I can do to make a memory for those lost at Sandyhook...

 If today were your last day with someone, child or adult, will they know that you love them?  I challenge you, in the memory of those lost at Sandyhook, to let the people you are with today, this moment, and days to come know that you love them.  Know that you care.  Look into their eyes and say, 'I love you,' then show them by your actions.  

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God

1 John 4:7

How will you show your love?  Share with me in the comments.

Is LOVE a Want or a Need?

"New Boots"  by Laura Anne Miller 2012

I was inspired by a blogger acquaintance, (Sandi Purdell-Lewis)  who is a Kindergarten teacher  to have a discussion with my Jr. Youth Group (ages 4 yr-6th grade) last night about Wants and Needs.

As did Sandi, I used cut-out pictures of various 'things' and asked if they were a Want or a Need in order to survive.  My pictures included a yellow corvette, groceries, an XBox, a pair of pink & black polka dot rain boots, shoes, clothes, a Nintendo DS, a small home, an American girl doll, an electric car for kids, a mansion, and a heart to represent Love.

Of course we had to define the difference of a 'Want' and a 'Need.'   I explained to the children that when I was in 5th grade I 'wanted' a pair of rain boots with pink polka dots.  Some girl at my school had them.  I never mentioned it to my mom - I think I knew that they were something too superficial to be in the budget.  And since Christmas doesn't come at springtime, and my birthday is six days before Christmas, they were not something on my wishlist.  (And, so you all don't run out to buy me a pair, I'm okay without them-- seriously, at 58 I'd look a little silly. )

So, as we went through the pictures - the boys wanted the corvette, the girls wanted the electric car, they all wanted the Nintendo.  No one cared about my polka-dot rain boots.  They also all wanted to live in the mansion. They did agree on the "Needs" - the clothes, the groceries, shoes, a regular house. But when it came to Love, most of the kids said it was a WANT, but not a NEED.  So I said, let's vote.  Who thinks Love is a want?  Most of the hands went up.  Okay - who thinks it is a Need?  And before I could say anything a 4 year old girl* sitting in front of me interrupted and said,

"you neeeeeeed love, because that's how God comes in your heart."

Amazing.  When my friend did this with her 'kidlets', a child in her group observed, 

"you need love, because if we are not loved, we will not learn how to love other people."

And isn't this what Jesus did for us?  

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, 

we ought also to love one another.  1 John 4:10-11

*not to be too prideful - but the little 4 year old was my granddaughter