Lookin’ for love - In All The Wrong Places
Ole’
George Johnson and his wife Sarah lived on an 80 acre farm in Tennessee. George
had an unusual love for animals from the time he could crawl – and was actually
much better with them than with people.
If there was ever anyone CLOSE to being a true “Dr. Dolittle” it would be George!
Spending
hours and hours every day with his animals, it almost seemed that the animals
understood what George was saying.
Because George would rather spend time with the animals, he did not
take good care of his property. When
the old well dried up he drilled a new one, not taking the time or energy to
fill in the old well. George simply instructed his animals to stay out of the
north pasture.
Most
of the animals on the farm were as old as ole’ George, and wouldn’t even give
thought to wandering away from their well-stocked barn. However – he had this
one young donkey that just seemed to have a mind of his own.
Now,
Jasper was a small donkey, but fearless as a lion. He seemed to be the only donkey on this farm, so he set out one
day to find himself a female donkey. Even though there was snow on the ground,
and the weather was freezing cold - Jasper began his search. A couple of snakes, and a few bunnies to
chase, was all that he found in the South pasture; Jasper continued to explore
the rest of the eighty acres that he had access to.
Needless
to say, as most independent, strong-willed donkeys will do... he found his way
to the forbidden north pasture. With
his head held high, searching for that one special she-donkey, ignoring the
snow-covered ground, he didn’t notice the old well in his path.
Poor
Jasper suddenly found him self in the bottom of that deep, dark, dried up well! Jasper couldn’t see a way out - so began to
yell, at the top of his lungs. The
cries finally got the attention of the ole’ farmer.
When
George arrived on the scene, he knew instantly he was looking at a hopeless
situation. Although George was sadden at the loss – he scolded the donkey for
disobeying his command, and not staying close to his care!
George
called for help from the neighboring farmers, but they all agreed that there
was no way to rescue Jasper from the well, especially not this time of
year. After much deliberation they
agreed that the most humane thing they could do for Jasper, was to bury him as
quickly as possible; rather than leave him to freeze, or to starve to death. The farmers all went their separate ways,
only to return, one at a time, with a load of local debris.
Now
Jasper, being the young healthy, occasionally intelligent donkey that he was,
figured out with the first shovel of dirt, what the plan was. All of a sudden reality set in! He knew that
no one could help him get out of that pit of despair! He was quite sad, and allowed the overwhelming defeat,
depression and hopelessness to set in; but only for a moment!
The
first farmer emptied his load of dirt, and quickly drove away, making room for
the next load of debris.
Now,
besides the snow that was building up, all this dirt hit the poor lil’
donkey! It hurt the donkey - However,
he got up, shook himself off – and climbed up on top of the debris.
The
next farmer backed up close to the old well, and promptly unloaded the leaves,
brush, berry vines, branches and twigs left from his fall cleaning project.
Now
this load of garbage hit the donkey – and it hurt the donkey! However, he got
up! Shook him self off – and climbed up on top of the debris.
Old
George was shocked to hear that Jasper was still alive! He knew he couldn’t stay out in the cold
much longer, but did want to take care of the donkey before he headed back to
the warmth of his home. He sent word
that he needed heavier garbage!
The
next truck was twice as big as the first two, and the farmers proceeded with
the plan.
Now
this load of broken toys, dead batteries and broken toasters, dried up
Christmas trees, boxes etc. This load was much heavier than the first two loads
of garbage.
The
garbage hit the lil’ donkey - it really
bruised the donkey! But… he got up! Shook it off – and climbed up on top of the
debris.
Old
George was seeing that this donkey had real spunk, and a will to live that he
hadn’t counted on! He really did love that
lil’ donkey, and didn’t want him to suffer anymore than need be. So he called for the big guns!
The
next truck to arrive on the scene was the city dump truck. Now THIS would get the job done! Thought
farmer George, sadly – yet thankfully.
Several
farmers worked together, to direct this load of old farm equipment and
discarded car parts into the dried up well.
Now
this load of garbage hit the donkey – it really HURT the donkey! However, he
got up! Shook himself off – and climbed right on out of the well!!!
The
farmers were shocked and amazed, as they watched the lil’ donkey trot off
toward home.
Yes, Jasper was bruised, broken and sad. But his determination to LIVE, and not die
got him UP! He shook himself OFF, and got on with life! []
ThinkAboutIt!
So
often in this life – we get out there, away from the Father’s plan; out in the
north pasture by our self, in a storm that leads us to the proverbial deep,
dried-up old well of discouragement and depression.
When
the dreams we carry die; when relationships end; when it seems nothing good is
coming our way. No matter how heavy the debris – it is still our choice how to
handle it. We can take refuge in the dark, lonely depression of that pit of
despair – let the garbage trap and bury
us, robbing us from life. Or we can GET UP!
Shake our self off … and climb on up a little higher!
It
all comes back to our daily choices.
If
we allow the Word of God and His Peace-filled direction to be our compass…. We
will not end up in a dark, deserted, hopeless pit. It is when we get outside of His plan, or ahead of His timing,
when we try to make things happen our self – that we find we have strayed off
course – broken and defeated .
It
is God’s plan to give His kids GOOD things – but it will be in HIS time frame, not ours. Amen?
Ecc 3:1-11
God
bless you, as you ‘seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness’ –
resting in confidence, that He will then ‘add all these things to you.’
