Welcome to Friday Fiction! This week it is being hosted by Beth at
Laughing At the Days.
Dr. Moore removed her glasses and sat thinking for a moment, placing a few pieces of loose paper on the small table in front of her. She finally spoke. “You know, if this were a creative writing class, this would be graded excellent in many ways. It has wonderful style and characterization.”
“Oh, do you like it?” Marty’s voice sounded childishly hopeful.
This was not going to be easy. Dr. Moore sighed even as she remembered briefly her motivation for becoming a psychologist. She looked at her patient with a sense of compassion, but knew she had to remain firm. “Marty, you are a talented writer. However, it saddens me that you didn’t even try to follow the instructions of your assignment.”
Marty’s smile quickly turned into a defiant sneer. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.” She turned away from the psychologist’s keen gaze. Twisting a strand of her long dark hair, she glanced around the room as if looking for a place to hide. Her eyes stopped at the bed.
“Your assignment was to write out any recollection from your past. It was simply to be a truthful account with as much detail as you could remember.”
Marty folded her arms across her chest and continued to stare at the bed.
“It didn’t have to be momentous or significant in any particular way, just a truthful event from your own past that you could write out as completely and accurately as possible.” Dr. Moore waited silently, but added in her thoughts, “Something that could get us started talking about you. Something that could help you open up about the things in your past you want so badly to hide. If we could do that, we might get you on the road to healing. If you could just open up there might be some hope…” The silence became heavy as she realized there would not likely be any such revelations from Marty’s past today. Continuing to admonish her for not completing the assignment wasn’t going to help.
Changing tactics, Dr. Moore asked, “What is it that you like about Deanna, Marty?”
Marty’s eyes left the bed in surprise and focused once again on Dr. Moore. “Deanna?”
“Yes, the main character in your story here.” She gestured toward the papers on the table as she spoke.
“What’s not to like?” Marty’s eyes narrowed as she stared shrewdly at the doctor. Cautiously, she went on, “She’s got everything. Looks, money, youth…”
“Okay.” Dr. Moore nodded. “But if you had to choose just one thing about her that appealed to you most, what would it be?”
Marty stared at her suspiciously, indecisively. Finally she stated flatly, “Power. Deanna has … power.” She stared defiantly, as though challenging the doctor to disagree.
“Can you explain how you mean that she has power?”
Marty looked irritated that the doctor had gotten her to play her psychological game. Then she shrugged as though she didn’t really care whether the doctor understood what she meant by power or not. “She makes her own choices. Nobody tells her what to do.” She hesitated, glancing around furtively before continuing with growing intensity. “She has money so she never has to do without anything. She’s beautiful so everybody likes her. She’s confident, so she dominates.” She stopped, quelling the rising passion.
“She’s a bit unscrupulous.”
“Well, if she had to be limited by principles, she couldn’t get everything she wanted, now could she?” Marty smiled slyly. “Where’s the power in that?”
Dr. Moore hesitated, reminding herself again of her reasons for her chosen profession. Just how deep was the dark reservoir inside this woman, and how willing was she, as the professional, to draw it out?
“Marty, it really is time for you to start telling the truth. Do you think you could tell me how long you have been living life through your fantasies?”
Marty’s eyes flashed with anger. “What I think is that none of this is any of your business!” The game was over. Truth would not be forthcoming.
“Marty, unless you want to write about something from your real life as I asked you to, I am going to take away the pens and paper.”
With proud defiance, Marty stood slowly and walked over to the bed. Sitting down, she pushed herself backward until her back rested against the wall. One at a time, she drew her knees up to her chest and crossed her arms tightly around them. In a voice laced with venom she said quietly, “Dr. Moore, you took away my books. Now you’re taking away my paper. But you can’t take away my mind. If you want me to stop living in fantasy land, I guess you’re going to have to do to me what I did to Pa.” With that she closed her eyes and dropped her face against her knees, blocking out the sight of Dr. Moore and effectively ending the session.
As Dr. Moore left the room she prayed silently. “Lord, I know I asked for this. I said I wanted to be in a position to help people no one can seem to help. Now I can really see I didn’t know what I was asking for. But God, she is one of your own creation. Help her to see that You love her. Help her to find life in Jesus. Help her to live in reality. Help her to know you love her and she can trust You.
“Tracy.” Dr. Moore sensed the quiet whisper.
“Yes, Lord?”
“Tracy, I would still be in that room.”
“Lord, if I tell her about you, I could lose my job.”
“Tracy, I want you to take that risk.”
Even as Tracy turned to walk back into the room, she realized it was too late. Dr. Peppard was already there, peering through the small glass window at Marty, who was still sitting on the bed with her face hidden. He turned to face Tracy with a smirk. “I told you this was a waste of time. Give her back her books and let her escape life. She’s not worth the effort.” He turned on his heel and walked away.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
God Had a Plan, 'Sinless' and 'Sinning Less'
There was a woman who was brought before Jesus by the religious leaders of the day. She was dragged before Him as one who, by law, must be stoned because she had been caught in the act of adultery. They were not motivated by obedience to God however; rather they sought to catch Jesus in error so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. In wisdom, He spoke, “Let the one among you without sin cast the first stone.” They all gradually dropped their stones and wandered away, heads hung in shame. You can read the story in John, chapter 8.
The part of the story I am going to focus on here is what happened next, that Jesus told the woman, “Neither do I condemn you, go your way and sin no more.”
What a wonderful thing, the grace, mercy and forgiveness of God. But did Jesus actually expect that the woman would go her way and NEVER SIN AGAIN? Is that what He was saying? If you read your bible, you will know that just can’t be right. He Himself knows what is in the heart of man. He knows all about our natural inclinations and stubbornness, even more than we ourselves know. He knows our struggles with our own human nature. Surely He knew she would not now be “sinless.”
The Bible very clearly states that there was only One who was “sinless,” the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. If He had sin, He could not have been God’s plan for our redemption, because He would have merely been one of us. But God did have a plan, reaching out to His own creation with love and forgiveness. The cross accomplished what we could not do for ourselves, bringing us back into God’s favor, reconciling us to Him – into relationship with the living God! What a truly amazing and wonderful thing! Now, having been reconciled through His death, we live in relationship with our heavenly Father who loves us.
If only our fleshly body had actually died the moment we received this glorious salvation, then we would indeed be “sinless,” but that is not (usually if ever) the truth of the matter. The new man, the inner man, the new creation that we are in Christ – is still found in flesh, living in the natural world, and hence, the struggle. As the apostle Paul stated, “The good that I would I do not, but rather the evil I hate.”
So, we are not “sinless” but do we “sin less?” Yes, we do, truthfully speaking. If you have been a Christian for any time at all, you know there are things you used to do, ways you used to be that simply are no more. You know that God Himself is at work within you.
However, “sinning less” in and of itself is not our goal, exactly. Jesus didn’t die on the cross just so that we would “sin less.” Rather, it was to cancel out the very debt our sin against God caused us to owe Him, and to bring us back into God’s favor which we had lost due to our sin. Now we have His favor and live our lives in relationship with Him, our loving Father, trusting Him to CONTINUE to forgive our fault, our sin.
Well now, just because we know He loves us and will forgive us, do we just give up and give in to the sin? As the apostle Paul said, “MAY IT NEVER BE!” There’s a word for that kind of attitude, and it is licentiousness!
I don’t believe the forgiven woman continued on in her lifestyle of adultery. There is a huge difference between continuing on in a life of sin, and being a forgiven sinner who repents and chooses daily to follow Jesus.
Putting this on a personal level, one of the things I struggle with now is finding a healthy food balance. I am not really overweight, and I realize it is not truly a huge issue for me. Still, I do have to make choices, and right now I am not at the weight I feel I should be. Maybe you also struggle to keep a healthy eating balance, and find yourself giving up and giving in way too often. First, remember that God loves you SO MUCH, no matter what your weight. But He does desire to help His children succeed in ALL areas of temptation, and food is just an example.
So, how do we succeed? First and foremost is prayer. Often we don’t bring difficulties to Him because we are afraid we won’t like His method for helping us deal with the situation. It is a choice, isn’t it? Do I want to keep my comfort, or let Him be my comfort? Or maybe eating is something we consider too inconsequential to bother God with. Fact is, we can’t do anything on our own and need His help in everything, even something as simple as the food that does or doesn’t find its way into our mouths.
Next, recognize that trials will come, and we need to plan ahead for them. Planning ahead means simple things like shopping for healthy foods, staying out of the candy aisle, and taking the time to prepare healthy foods. I like to fix the salad first and have it ready in the frig before I start on the rest of the meal – because the rest of the meal-fixing is a bit hectic, and when it’s done I will not stop to fix a salad too. Make sense?
The other part of planning ahead is remembering the scripture that tells us that with the temptation, He will provide the way of escape that we will be able to endure the temptation. The temptation is easy to see, but we have to deliberately look for the way of escape God has provided with it. If the problem is food, often times the way of escaping it is activity – reading, writing, walking, even housework while listening to praise music.
And here is perhaps the most important point – shifting one’s focus. Dieting actually keeps people focused on food. We become preoccupied with the food that we are allowed on the diet, thus we are still focused on FOOD, which is the problem. Focusing on the temptation itself is what causes us to eventually give in to it, because we dangle it in front of ourselves until we give up and give in. Sigh.
The good news is that no matter what the temptation is, God loves us and wants us to succeed. If we stop focusing on what we can’t have and start focusing on HIM, life changes. I’m going to repeat that with the word ‘when’ rather that ‘if’. When we stop focusing on what we can’t have and start focusing on HIM, life changes.
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus” is the song I sang over and over at a time in my life when giving up a certain sin (okay, it was daydreaming) was overwhelming to me. Unlike food, daydreaming was something I was very addicted to. It made me feel as though I didn’t care what happened in life because I had IT to turn to. But IT was actually controlling me, and in truth IT was the enemy. The change didn’t happen overnight, and it was far from easy, but as I kept walking with Him and trusting Him, my life did change and now I am free from that addiction.
Now if I could only get my mouth (speaking even more than eating!) under control! Sigh. Well, as long I am still here on Planet Earth, I am not “sinless” but I am “sinning less.” I’m also not giving up, and I’m not receiving the condemnation of the enemy when I do stumble. I much prefer receiving God’s forgiveness. Most of all, I’m thankful for God’s presence in my life, and for His love.
God bless you and help you today to succeed in whatever area you struggle with.
Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?
1 Peter 2:21-25 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,
WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH;
and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;
and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
Romans 7:18-20 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.
For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.
But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
James 1:13-15 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.
Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, 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, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Job 42:1-2Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]
The part of the story I am going to focus on here is what happened next, that Jesus told the woman, “Neither do I condemn you, go your way and sin no more.”
What a wonderful thing, the grace, mercy and forgiveness of God. But did Jesus actually expect that the woman would go her way and NEVER SIN AGAIN? Is that what He was saying? If you read your bible, you will know that just can’t be right. He Himself knows what is in the heart of man. He knows all about our natural inclinations and stubbornness, even more than we ourselves know. He knows our struggles with our own human nature. Surely He knew she would not now be “sinless.”
The Bible very clearly states that there was only One who was “sinless,” the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. If He had sin, He could not have been God’s plan for our redemption, because He would have merely been one of us. But God did have a plan, reaching out to His own creation with love and forgiveness. The cross accomplished what we could not do for ourselves, bringing us back into God’s favor, reconciling us to Him – into relationship with the living God! What a truly amazing and wonderful thing! Now, having been reconciled through His death, we live in relationship with our heavenly Father who loves us.
If only our fleshly body had actually died the moment we received this glorious salvation, then we would indeed be “sinless,” but that is not (usually if ever) the truth of the matter. The new man, the inner man, the new creation that we are in Christ – is still found in flesh, living in the natural world, and hence, the struggle. As the apostle Paul stated, “The good that I would I do not, but rather the evil I hate.”
So, we are not “sinless” but do we “sin less?” Yes, we do, truthfully speaking. If you have been a Christian for any time at all, you know there are things you used to do, ways you used to be that simply are no more. You know that God Himself is at work within you.
However, “sinning less” in and of itself is not our goal, exactly. Jesus didn’t die on the cross just so that we would “sin less.” Rather, it was to cancel out the very debt our sin against God caused us to owe Him, and to bring us back into God’s favor which we had lost due to our sin. Now we have His favor and live our lives in relationship with Him, our loving Father, trusting Him to CONTINUE to forgive our fault, our sin.
Well now, just because we know He loves us and will forgive us, do we just give up and give in to the sin? As the apostle Paul said, “MAY IT NEVER BE!” There’s a word for that kind of attitude, and it is licentiousness!
I don’t believe the forgiven woman continued on in her lifestyle of adultery. There is a huge difference between continuing on in a life of sin, and being a forgiven sinner who repents and chooses daily to follow Jesus.
Putting this on a personal level, one of the things I struggle with now is finding a healthy food balance. I am not really overweight, and I realize it is not truly a huge issue for me. Still, I do have to make choices, and right now I am not at the weight I feel I should be. Maybe you also struggle to keep a healthy eating balance, and find yourself giving up and giving in way too often. First, remember that God loves you SO MUCH, no matter what your weight. But He does desire to help His children succeed in ALL areas of temptation, and food is just an example.
So, how do we succeed? First and foremost is prayer. Often we don’t bring difficulties to Him because we are afraid we won’t like His method for helping us deal with the situation. It is a choice, isn’t it? Do I want to keep my comfort, or let Him be my comfort? Or maybe eating is something we consider too inconsequential to bother God with. Fact is, we can’t do anything on our own and need His help in everything, even something as simple as the food that does or doesn’t find its way into our mouths.
Next, recognize that trials will come, and we need to plan ahead for them. Planning ahead means simple things like shopping for healthy foods, staying out of the candy aisle, and taking the time to prepare healthy foods. I like to fix the salad first and have it ready in the frig before I start on the rest of the meal – because the rest of the meal-fixing is a bit hectic, and when it’s done I will not stop to fix a salad too. Make sense?
The other part of planning ahead is remembering the scripture that tells us that with the temptation, He will provide the way of escape that we will be able to endure the temptation. The temptation is easy to see, but we have to deliberately look for the way of escape God has provided with it. If the problem is food, often times the way of escaping it is activity – reading, writing, walking, even housework while listening to praise music.
And here is perhaps the most important point – shifting one’s focus. Dieting actually keeps people focused on food. We become preoccupied with the food that we are allowed on the diet, thus we are still focused on FOOD, which is the problem. Focusing on the temptation itself is what causes us to eventually give in to it, because we dangle it in front of ourselves until we give up and give in. Sigh.
The good news is that no matter what the temptation is, God loves us and wants us to succeed. If we stop focusing on what we can’t have and start focusing on HIM, life changes. I’m going to repeat that with the word ‘when’ rather that ‘if’. When we stop focusing on what we can’t have and start focusing on HIM, life changes.
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus” is the song I sang over and over at a time in my life when giving up a certain sin (okay, it was daydreaming) was overwhelming to me. Unlike food, daydreaming was something I was very addicted to. It made me feel as though I didn’t care what happened in life because I had IT to turn to. But IT was actually controlling me, and in truth IT was the enemy. The change didn’t happen overnight, and it was far from easy, but as I kept walking with Him and trusting Him, my life did change and now I am free from that addiction.
Now if I could only get my mouth (speaking even more than eating!) under control! Sigh. Well, as long I am still here on Planet Earth, I am not “sinless” but I am “sinning less.” I’m also not giving up, and I’m not receiving the condemnation of the enemy when I do stumble. I much prefer receiving God’s forgiveness. Most of all, I’m thankful for God’s presence in my life, and for His love.
God bless you and help you today to succeed in whatever area you struggle with.
Romans 6:1-2 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?
1 Peter 2:21-25 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,
WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH;
and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;
and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
Romans 7:18-20 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.
For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.
But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
James 1:13-15 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.
Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, 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, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Job 42:1-2Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]
Monday, February 23, 2009
Blog Award
Well how fun is this! Sara Harricharan of In Shades of Scarlet has awarded me a "fabulous blog award" along with four others. The only problem I will have is passing it along to only five others as there are so many good ones out there to choose from!
The rules of this award are as follows: Confess 5 things I am addicted to and then to pass on this award to 5 other sisters.
Thinking about the things I am currently addicted to reminds me of the things I am no longer addicted to, thanks to our wonderful Lord! Those things were not good and included cigarettes, caffeine literally all day long, and living in fantasy land.
So now, having been a Christian for more than 35 years, what have I become addicted to? THE LIST:
- God's love. That He finds me and speaks to me and comforts me, whether it's through His word, song lyrics, words spoken or written by others who love Him, or even a sighting of something special in His creation, such as a coyote or nuthatch.
- God's voice in my life, that gentle, quiet whisper, and that tug on my heart until my actions follow. Along with that is my journal, where I do actually try to write down the things I believe He is saying to me, along with meditations and writings.
- My immediate family, all those special people closest to my heart including my husband of 35 years, my three sons and two daughters-in-law, and twin granddaughters.
- My friends, mainly my sisters in the Lord!
- Computer stuff - Love this blogging and really the reading and writing, and that God would use my talents in this way is way too fun. Also love a few other computer things - art and web design. They are rather like the "after school fun" in my life.
I could go on with things like chocolate, but hey, I'm at five!
Now for just a few (five) of the sisters who have blessed me:
- Yvonne Blake, because not only do I enjoy her writing but her simple faith is obvious, and I like the way she invites people to write her with questions. She also includes pictures I enjoy.
My Back door Ministry - Betsy Markman, because I had the chance to meet her and she is a sincere woman of faith. I appreciate her teacher's heart and the effort she makes to research her topics.
Just Another Clay Pot - Dee Yoder, because she is delightful! You will enjoy her writing and her love for the Lord, too.
My Heart's Delight - Julie Arduini, because she is a gifted writer as well, with a love for the Lord.
The Surrendered Scribe - Laura Lee Shaw, because she just has such a dedication to our Lord! You will appreciate her sweet heart. Although her blog is undergoing a change, I am sure it will be great.
Selah Pause. Ponder. Praise.
***
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
God Had a Plan, Butterfly
It actually was a dark and stormy night. Jesus walked on water. He didn’t even rebuke the wind first. The sea raged – yet Jesus remained calm and walked on the blustery waves. What a picture of perfect faith and peace. I guess He knew His Father had a plan, and so He wasn’t worried.
We all have days when the trials of life seem more than we can bear, almost as if they are engulfing us, trying to pull us down to watery depths. And like the boat the disciples were in at the time, we can feel battered and driven by the waves, not able to come to shore and find rest.
Sometimes God speaks things that are so inspirational to me that I use them in my writing. I combined two separate such words in this little bit of a poem. The words were “tread lightly on the water” and “butterfly feet.” To me, it’s about floating over the trials of life, knowing the water will not overflow me because He is with me and invites me to rest in Him, even in troubled times. I also believe God was simply getting me to think about Jesus walking on water, and that He didn’t do it in any sort of panic.
We all have days when the trials of life seem more than we can bear, almost as if they are engulfing us, trying to pull us down to watery depths. And like the boat the disciples were in at the time, we can feel battered and driven by the waves, not able to come to shore and find rest.
Sometimes God speaks things that are so inspirational to me that I use them in my writing. I combined two separate such words in this little bit of a poem. The words were “tread lightly on the water” and “butterfly feet.” To me, it’s about floating over the trials of life, knowing the water will not overflow me because He is with me and invites me to rest in Him, even in troubled times. I also believe God was simply getting me to think about Jesus walking on water, and that He didn’t do it in any sort of panic.
Butterfly, Butterfly
Butterfly, butterfly
tread lightly on the waters
Butterfly feet, so tiny and neat
the waves are rising to greet you.
Butterfly, butterfly
tread lightly on the waters
You’ve got wings, He’s given you wings
the waves will not overflow you.
Butterfly, butterfly,
tread lightly on the waters.
The butterfly is not big and strong. Think about those tiny, delicate feet! But I don’t think butterflies worry much. After all, He’s given them wings! And if God has a plan for butterflies, He surely has a plan for you and me.
Matthew 14:24 – 25 But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary.
25And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea.
26When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear.
27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."
Job 42:1-2Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]
Friday, February 13, 2009
Friday Fiction, The Prodigal's Brother
Well here it is, time for Fiction Friday - sneaked right up on me again! The weeks do go by so quickly... Here is another re-run, so if you've read it before feel free to scoot on over to Julie's blog,
The Surrendered Scribe for more great fiction.
THE PRODIGAL'S BROTHER
The old man stood gazing out the window, only half listening to the discourse of his eldest son, who sat at the table behind him finishing a sandwich.
“Pa, I really think if we just give the east pasture a rest and let the grass grow back some, then we can move the herd from the upper field. Haulin’ them to the high country every summer is gittin’ too dang costly.
“Well, son, if that’s what ya think ‘d be best….”
“Pa, are you listenin’?”
“Hmmm?”
Hank sighed wearily and stood up from the table. “Pa, quit starin’ out the winda! Yer son is gone and he ain’t never comin’ back. You need to accept that as a fact and git on with yer life! We got work ta do, Pa!” When there was no response, Hank shoved the chair against the table and grabbed his hat. “I’ll be clearin’ out the ditch iffen ya git a mind to help.” Pulling his hat over his head, he was across the kitchen in a few long strides. He let the door slam shut behind him as he left.
Jesse sighed. He knew Hank could be right, but the knowing wouldn’t change anything. He would continue daily spending time watching, hoping and praying. Eventually he turned and found his hat, leaving his own sandwich untouched on a plate. He walked out slowly to find his son and try to be of some help.
He could sense and understand Hank’s frustration, and wished in a way he could stop watching the dusty dirt road leading to the ranch house. His younger son had taken that road, leaving and taking the inheritance given by his father with him, saying he would never come back to work on the ranch again. That had been many long months ago, and there hadn’t even been a phone call from him. “If only I knew he was alright, that he was happy with his choice, then maybe…”
Jesse knew his hopes were unfounded. Rumors circulated and reached the ears of Hank, who seemed almost glad to deliver the bad news. “Yer son’s livin’ it up with prostitutes, Pa, and he ain’t never comin’ back here, so ya’d best git used ta it. He’s spendin’ all yer hard-earned money, so why ya’d want him back is more ‘n I kin figure anyway.” Jesse knew the rumors were likely true, but that didn’t stop his heart from aching for his son. He did wish Hank wouldn’t say such things, true or not.
He reached the dry ditch and climbed down into it alongside Hank, pulling an old pair of gloves from the back pocket of his dusty coveralls. The work of hauling accumulated debris and brush out of the ditch to clear it for water passage seemed an almost soothing distraction from his heart’s unrest.
Later that day, Hank had gone to pick up a few things from town. As he walked into the kitchen through the backdoor, he was a bit surprised not to see his father gazing out the window. He set a bag of groceries down on the counter, his eyes missing a note now covered by the bag. Sifting through the bag for cold perishables to be refrigerated, he called out, “Pa? Where are ya?” There was no answer, so he left the remainder of the bag on the table and headed to the answering machine on a nearby table. The light blinked, so he pushed the button to hear the message.
Pa sounded excited, a bit confused, and as if Hank should already know where he was calling from. “Hurry, Hank, come and join us! This is a wonderful celebration, and we don’t want ya ta miss it!” There was laughter, and then, “Oh, the number here is 448-0293, just in case ya need ta call.”
Call he did, and was a bit surprised to learn it was the Old Apple Barrel, one of the fanciest restaurants in town. “Yes,” the hostess responded to his query, “Your father is here with quite a few others. They are celebrating something, you know, and there are balloons and all. Would you like me to inquire as to the reason for the celebration?”
“Uh, no, that’s okay. Just set a place fer one more, I’ll be joinin’ ya shortly.”
He got a quick shower and jumped back into his pickup truck. As he made the short drive into town, he pondered on possible reasons for this unexpected celebration. It wasn’t anybody’s birthday that he could think of. Why the fancy restaurant? An unbidden daydream began to form. Perhaps Pa had finally realized he should recognize his oldest son’s faithful service. Somebody sure ought to recognize it! Hank thought back over the years of backbreaking, palm blistering labor on the ranch. Yes, surely that must be it. His father had put together a glitzy celebration in his honor. He was still smiling over his fanciful speculations as he pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant.
“Hank, Hank,” Jesse cried out on seeing his oldest walk into the reserved banquet room. “You’re here, oh, I’m so glad you’re here!” He jumped to his feet and ran to hug him. Then he continued happily, “Now we’re all here, together again, one happy, happy family!”
It was only then that Hank saw the reason for the gaiety. Clint, his wayward lowlife of a brother, sat at the head of the table, looking both somewhat ashamed and very apprehensive. Stunned, Hank stared speechlessly as Clint said quietly, “Hey, Hank. How are ya?”
Jesse noted the shocked expression on Hank’s face with a bit of confusion. “Hank, didn’t you see my note? I left it on the counter for you.” When Hank didn’t answer, he continued, “I told you in the note, your long-lost brother has returned to us, and we would be celebrating at the Old Apple Barrel.”
There was a moment of silence in the room before Hank finally turned to his father. “No, Pa, I didn’t see it. Frankly, I’m not sure why you think this is a cause fer celebratin’ anyhow.” With that he turned and walked outside.
Jesse was quick to react. Grabbing his newly regained son by the shoulder, he said, “I’m so happy you are back, and nothin’ can change that. I love you. Now ya sit right here and don’t move. I have a little somethin’ to attend to.” With that, he ran out to find Hank who was pacing the walkway in front of the restaurant.
Seeing his father, Hank spoke roughly, “I’ve worked the ranch harder ‘n any o’ yer hired hands. I did everythin’ ya ever asked me ta do, n’er left anythin’ undone! Yet ya never did anythin’ like this fer me! You hardly seem ta notice a dang thing I do around the place fer ya, and yet that no good son o’ yers has never stopped bein’ a pain to ya since the day he split, spendin’ all yer hard-earned money…”
Jesse interrupted, “Son, you are right, I know all that. But Son, I want ya ta know iffen it’d been you that left… I woulda watched and waited fer you jest as much as I have fer yer brother. Ya woulda broke my heart just the same, cain’t ya see?” He watched closely as Hank’s angry expression began to soften. “Ya see, Son, yer brother lost his way fer awhile, but he’s come home to us. He’s changed his tune, so ta speak So now it’s time ta celebrate. Son, I love ya and we’d be havin’ this celebration jest the same iffen it was you.”
Hank stared hard at his father’s face. He knew the words he spoke were true. Here was his father, a hard-working man that loved both of his sons dearly, and would do anything for them. Stiffening, he looked away from his father’s pleading look. He knew that even now if he himself left, taking his own share of inheritance from his father, the old man’s heart would be inconsolable. Still, he thought briefly about doing exactly that. Staring out over the parking lot and busy street beyond, he felt the aches of constant labor. He was tired. Life on the ranch was never easy. It ought to be his lazy, irresponsible brother’s turn to tackle it all for awhile.
He turned back to face the love and concern in the eyes of his father once again. There was really only one reason to stay. “Okay, Pa,” he said with a resigned sigh, placing an arm around the old man’s frail shoulders, “Let’s go make that wayward son o’ yern feel welcomed home.”
The Surrendered Scribe for more great fiction.
THE PRODIGAL'S BROTHER
The old man stood gazing out the window, only half listening to the discourse of his eldest son, who sat at the table behind him finishing a sandwich.
“Pa, I really think if we just give the east pasture a rest and let the grass grow back some, then we can move the herd from the upper field. Haulin’ them to the high country every summer is gittin’ too dang costly.
“Well, son, if that’s what ya think ‘d be best….”
“Pa, are you listenin’?”
“Hmmm?”
Hank sighed wearily and stood up from the table. “Pa, quit starin’ out the winda! Yer son is gone and he ain’t never comin’ back. You need to accept that as a fact and git on with yer life! We got work ta do, Pa!” When there was no response, Hank shoved the chair against the table and grabbed his hat. “I’ll be clearin’ out the ditch iffen ya git a mind to help.” Pulling his hat over his head, he was across the kitchen in a few long strides. He let the door slam shut behind him as he left.
Jesse sighed. He knew Hank could be right, but the knowing wouldn’t change anything. He would continue daily spending time watching, hoping and praying. Eventually he turned and found his hat, leaving his own sandwich untouched on a plate. He walked out slowly to find his son and try to be of some help.
He could sense and understand Hank’s frustration, and wished in a way he could stop watching the dusty dirt road leading to the ranch house. His younger son had taken that road, leaving and taking the inheritance given by his father with him, saying he would never come back to work on the ranch again. That had been many long months ago, and there hadn’t even been a phone call from him. “If only I knew he was alright, that he was happy with his choice, then maybe…”
Jesse knew his hopes were unfounded. Rumors circulated and reached the ears of Hank, who seemed almost glad to deliver the bad news. “Yer son’s livin’ it up with prostitutes, Pa, and he ain’t never comin’ back here, so ya’d best git used ta it. He’s spendin’ all yer hard-earned money, so why ya’d want him back is more ‘n I kin figure anyway.” Jesse knew the rumors were likely true, but that didn’t stop his heart from aching for his son. He did wish Hank wouldn’t say such things, true or not.
He reached the dry ditch and climbed down into it alongside Hank, pulling an old pair of gloves from the back pocket of his dusty coveralls. The work of hauling accumulated debris and brush out of the ditch to clear it for water passage seemed an almost soothing distraction from his heart’s unrest.
Later that day, Hank had gone to pick up a few things from town. As he walked into the kitchen through the backdoor, he was a bit surprised not to see his father gazing out the window. He set a bag of groceries down on the counter, his eyes missing a note now covered by the bag. Sifting through the bag for cold perishables to be refrigerated, he called out, “Pa? Where are ya?” There was no answer, so he left the remainder of the bag on the table and headed to the answering machine on a nearby table. The light blinked, so he pushed the button to hear the message.
Pa sounded excited, a bit confused, and as if Hank should already know where he was calling from. “Hurry, Hank, come and join us! This is a wonderful celebration, and we don’t want ya ta miss it!” There was laughter, and then, “Oh, the number here is 448-0293, just in case ya need ta call.”
Call he did, and was a bit surprised to learn it was the Old Apple Barrel, one of the fanciest restaurants in town. “Yes,” the hostess responded to his query, “Your father is here with quite a few others. They are celebrating something, you know, and there are balloons and all. Would you like me to inquire as to the reason for the celebration?”
“Uh, no, that’s okay. Just set a place fer one more, I’ll be joinin’ ya shortly.”
He got a quick shower and jumped back into his pickup truck. As he made the short drive into town, he pondered on possible reasons for this unexpected celebration. It wasn’t anybody’s birthday that he could think of. Why the fancy restaurant? An unbidden daydream began to form. Perhaps Pa had finally realized he should recognize his oldest son’s faithful service. Somebody sure ought to recognize it! Hank thought back over the years of backbreaking, palm blistering labor on the ranch. Yes, surely that must be it. His father had put together a glitzy celebration in his honor. He was still smiling over his fanciful speculations as he pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant.
“Hank, Hank,” Jesse cried out on seeing his oldest walk into the reserved banquet room. “You’re here, oh, I’m so glad you’re here!” He jumped to his feet and ran to hug him. Then he continued happily, “Now we’re all here, together again, one happy, happy family!”
It was only then that Hank saw the reason for the gaiety. Clint, his wayward lowlife of a brother, sat at the head of the table, looking both somewhat ashamed and very apprehensive. Stunned, Hank stared speechlessly as Clint said quietly, “Hey, Hank. How are ya?”
Jesse noted the shocked expression on Hank’s face with a bit of confusion. “Hank, didn’t you see my note? I left it on the counter for you.” When Hank didn’t answer, he continued, “I told you in the note, your long-lost brother has returned to us, and we would be celebrating at the Old Apple Barrel.”
There was a moment of silence in the room before Hank finally turned to his father. “No, Pa, I didn’t see it. Frankly, I’m not sure why you think this is a cause fer celebratin’ anyhow.” With that he turned and walked outside.
Jesse was quick to react. Grabbing his newly regained son by the shoulder, he said, “I’m so happy you are back, and nothin’ can change that. I love you. Now ya sit right here and don’t move. I have a little somethin’ to attend to.” With that, he ran out to find Hank who was pacing the walkway in front of the restaurant.
Seeing his father, Hank spoke roughly, “I’ve worked the ranch harder ‘n any o’ yer hired hands. I did everythin’ ya ever asked me ta do, n’er left anythin’ undone! Yet ya never did anythin’ like this fer me! You hardly seem ta notice a dang thing I do around the place fer ya, and yet that no good son o’ yers has never stopped bein’ a pain to ya since the day he split, spendin’ all yer hard-earned money…”
Jesse interrupted, “Son, you are right, I know all that. But Son, I want ya ta know iffen it’d been you that left… I woulda watched and waited fer you jest as much as I have fer yer brother. Ya woulda broke my heart just the same, cain’t ya see?” He watched closely as Hank’s angry expression began to soften. “Ya see, Son, yer brother lost his way fer awhile, but he’s come home to us. He’s changed his tune, so ta speak So now it’s time ta celebrate. Son, I love ya and we’d be havin’ this celebration jest the same iffen it was you.”
Hank stared hard at his father’s face. He knew the words he spoke were true. Here was his father, a hard-working man that loved both of his sons dearly, and would do anything for them. Stiffening, he looked away from his father’s pleading look. He knew that even now if he himself left, taking his own share of inheritance from his father, the old man’s heart would be inconsolable. Still, he thought briefly about doing exactly that. Staring out over the parking lot and busy street beyond, he felt the aches of constant labor. He was tired. Life on the ranch was never easy. It ought to be his lazy, irresponsible brother’s turn to tackle it all for awhile.
He turned back to face the love and concern in the eyes of his father once again. There was really only one reason to stay. “Okay, Pa,” he said with a resigned sigh, placing an arm around the old man’s frail shoulders, “Let’s go make that wayward son o’ yern feel welcomed home.”
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
God Had a Plan, An Apple a Day
An Apple a Day
Apples are great fruit. Full of vitamins, minerals and fiber, not to mention strength-yielding carbs. If you actually did eat one a day, I wonder how true the old saying would be that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. It would certainly keep you healthier and out of the doctor’s office more than if you rarely ever ate one.
However, what if that was all you ate? I mean, literally, you only ate exactly one apple a day. No steak, no salad, no oatmeal. Just one apple. Well, I think you’d get skinny real fast on a diet like that. You probably would actually starve yourself to death. Even if you lived a relatively long time, you’d begin to have severe health problems. That’s why humans consume several meals a day, hopefully well-balanced with things like protein and whole grains. It’s all part of the plan of God for the natural world.
God has a plan for the spiritual well-being of His children as well. It’s easy to see the comparison between an apple a day physically and a short scripture passage – just a verse or two – a day spiritually. One verse a day is certainly better than no Bible reading at all, especially if you meditated on that one verse throughout the day. But how long does a diet like that really sustain a person, spiritually speaking? Just as one apple a day would be a form of anorexia, one very short passage of scripture a day would be a sort of spiritual anorexia.
If God had a plan for the physical, He surely also had a plan for the spiritual. As new creatures in Christ, the new spiritual man has an appetite, and just as the old physical man needs food, so does the new inner man. A good healthy diet of the word of God, not just a verse or two here and there, but really at times “devouring” whole chapters, is just the thing to keep the new man healthy and growing. Neglecting the spiritual condition of the soul causes it to whither away, just as avoiding food starves the natural man.
Children don’t always cooperate with their parents’ plan for them to eat and be well-nourished. “But I hate spinach!” wails the child. The parent sighs and often gives up. I’m glad God doesn’t give up on His plan for our spiritual health. He continues to offer good “food” day after day. No, He rarely resorts to force-feeding, allowing us some room to reject what He offers. But He continues to work on our hearts until He truly becomes the desire of our hearts, and we gladly, voraciously consume all He wants to feed us.
Here’s a practical application. At my house and I am sure yours as well, I have to plan meals ahead of time. If I never go to the store and buy what I need I can’t make a meal. If I don’t get into the kitchen and do some cooking, nothing magically lands on the table at dinner time. (Although sometime I really wish it would! Sigh.) In the same way, it takes effort and planning to create special time in your day for the word of God. No it isn’t easy – but how spiritually well-fed are you going to be if you don’t make that time?
God loves us and desires the best for us. That’s why He’s provided everything we need to grow and be healthy through His Holy Spirit and His word. So be Mary – you know, the one who spent time at His feet – just soaking up His words – and your outcome will be life and peace.
Here are just a couple of “apples” to chew on – but if you sit down and “devour” the entire chapters these verses come from, you will be the better for it.
Romans 8:5-6 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,
2 Peter 1:2-3 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
Job 42:1-2Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]
Apples are great fruit. Full of vitamins, minerals and fiber, not to mention strength-yielding carbs. If you actually did eat one a day, I wonder how true the old saying would be that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. It would certainly keep you healthier and out of the doctor’s office more than if you rarely ever ate one.
However, what if that was all you ate? I mean, literally, you only ate exactly one apple a day. No steak, no salad, no oatmeal. Just one apple. Well, I think you’d get skinny real fast on a diet like that. You probably would actually starve yourself to death. Even if you lived a relatively long time, you’d begin to have severe health problems. That’s why humans consume several meals a day, hopefully well-balanced with things like protein and whole grains. It’s all part of the plan of God for the natural world.
God has a plan for the spiritual well-being of His children as well. It’s easy to see the comparison between an apple a day physically and a short scripture passage – just a verse or two – a day spiritually. One verse a day is certainly better than no Bible reading at all, especially if you meditated on that one verse throughout the day. But how long does a diet like that really sustain a person, spiritually speaking? Just as one apple a day would be a form of anorexia, one very short passage of scripture a day would be a sort of spiritual anorexia.
If God had a plan for the physical, He surely also had a plan for the spiritual. As new creatures in Christ, the new spiritual man has an appetite, and just as the old physical man needs food, so does the new inner man. A good healthy diet of the word of God, not just a verse or two here and there, but really at times “devouring” whole chapters, is just the thing to keep the new man healthy and growing. Neglecting the spiritual condition of the soul causes it to whither away, just as avoiding food starves the natural man.
Children don’t always cooperate with their parents’ plan for them to eat and be well-nourished. “But I hate spinach!” wails the child. The parent sighs and often gives up. I’m glad God doesn’t give up on His plan for our spiritual health. He continues to offer good “food” day after day. No, He rarely resorts to force-feeding, allowing us some room to reject what He offers. But He continues to work on our hearts until He truly becomes the desire of our hearts, and we gladly, voraciously consume all He wants to feed us.
Here’s a practical application. At my house and I am sure yours as well, I have to plan meals ahead of time. If I never go to the store and buy what I need I can’t make a meal. If I don’t get into the kitchen and do some cooking, nothing magically lands on the table at dinner time. (Although sometime I really wish it would! Sigh.) In the same way, it takes effort and planning to create special time in your day for the word of God. No it isn’t easy – but how spiritually well-fed are you going to be if you don’t make that time?
God loves us and desires the best for us. That’s why He’s provided everything we need to grow and be healthy through His Holy Spirit and His word. So be Mary – you know, the one who spent time at His feet – just soaking up His words – and your outcome will be life and peace.
Here are just a couple of “apples” to chew on – but if you sit down and “devour” the entire chapters these verses come from, you will be the better for it.
Romans 8:5-6 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,
2 Peter 1:2-3 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
Job 42:1-2Then Job answered the LORD and said, "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
[ALL SCRIPTURES NASB]
Friday, February 6, 2009
Friday Fiction, Wolf in a Bunny Costume
What a privilege to host 'Friday Fiction' for Patty! As this is my first time, let's hope I get the Mr. Linky thing right! My own contribution is a re-run that I've re-run before, so if you've read it before, feel free to scroll on down to Mr. Linky and find great fiction from others to read - and feel free to join in with your own fiction as well!
WOLF IN A BUNNY COSTUME
Baleful shifted uncomfortably in his bunny rabbit costume. He tried to nibble on the grass, but it was difficult to manage through the makeshift mouth of the mask. Grass wasn’t nearly filling for a wolf anyway. Nearby, rabbits chewed happily. How did the green wispy stuff keep their tummies full? At least now they were happily munching rather than arguing about the newcomer.
“He can’t really be one of us,” one had said. “He’s big and funny looking.”
“I say we let him stay. He looks like a rabbit – sort of.”
“Yeah, it’s okay if he’s big and funny looking. Close enough is close enough.”
The argument ended when hunger turned their attention to the lush foliage of the hillside. Baleful sighed with short-lived relief. Wise Old Bunny had not hopped away with the others, and now nibbled on grass nearby, even hopping closer for a blade or two. Did he know? Why did he keep stopping to sniff the air?
At last Wise Old Bunny spoke. “You don’t make a very good rabbit.” Not looking directly at Baleful, he nibbled on another blade of grass.
Baleful tried to stifle a whine, which came out as a nervous whimper. Only yesterday Wicked, the wolf pack leader, had made a similar pronouncement. “You don’t make a very good wolf,” he had snarled.
“I can’t eat bunnies,” Baleful had wailed. “They’re too cute.”
“Cute?” Wicked had growled menacingly as the rest of the pack circled and howled in laughter. “They’re not cute, they’re food! What do you suggest we eat instead?”
“Well,” Baleful said with a hopeful sniff, “Maybe we could eat grass like the bunnies.”
This was too much, and Wicked’s snarling mouth was now inches from Baleful’s quivering throat. The pack stopped circling and watched expectantly. Suddenly Wicked stopped snarling and sat back on his haunches. “Very well. You like the bunnies. You shall become one of them. Yes,” he said with a sly, toothy grin, “You will live with them until they become used to the smell of a wolf. That way you can eat all the grass you want and we shall be able to sneak up and catch all the bunnies we can eat!”
The pack had howled approvingly, and a costume was constructed from past hunts. Baleful wasn’t happy, but the menacing pack gave him no choice, and he, a wolf, had gone to live among the bunnies.
Now nothing was going right, and Baleful crouched on the ground with his nose between his rabbit hair covered wolf paws. “No,” he admitted to Wise Old Bunny, “I’m not a rabbit, I’m a wolf. But I’m not a good wolf, either. I can’t eat bunnies.” He resisted an urge to sit up and howl mournfully.
Wise Old Bunny didn’t seem alarmed at the news, and ate another blade of grass before speaking again. “You know, if you really were a rabbit, you would be satisfied eating grass.”
Baleful stopped sniffling and sat up. “Are you saying I could become a real rabbit?”
“It happens. But there is only one way. You have to go to the Big Bunny Master, and ask him to transform you into a real rabbit.”
Baleful had heard the story of the Big Bunny Master, but had not been sure it was true. The story was that the Big Bunny Master had been killed by wolves, but instead of really dying he had somehow become bigger than any mere rabbit could ever be, and now had complete power over the realm of not only the bunny rabbits, but the wolves as well. The story, naturally, was forbidden to be told in wolf lairs. He listened now as Wise Old Bunny continued, “There is one nonnegotiable condition.”
“What is it?” Baleful’s wolf ears twitched under the fake bunny ears.
“You have to drop the mask, take off the costume, and come to the Big Bunny Master just as you are, a wolf.”
Baleful hesitated. “But I’m a despicable wolf. When the Big Bunny Master sees me… and if the other wolves see me… and if the bunnies see me…”
“Well, that’s it. Not an easy choice, but the only way.”
Baleful thought earnestly for a time. At last he removed his costume and spoke quietly, “Will you take me to him?”
Soon after, Baleful and Wise Old Bunny munched grass contentedly side by side while other bunnies nibbled grass nearby and hungry wolves howled in the distance.
WOLF IN A BUNNY COSTUME
Baleful shifted uncomfortably in his bunny rabbit costume. He tried to nibble on the grass, but it was difficult to manage through the makeshift mouth of the mask. Grass wasn’t nearly filling for a wolf anyway. Nearby, rabbits chewed happily. How did the green wispy stuff keep their tummies full? At least now they were happily munching rather than arguing about the newcomer.
“He can’t really be one of us,” one had said. “He’s big and funny looking.”
“I say we let him stay. He looks like a rabbit – sort of.”
“Yeah, it’s okay if he’s big and funny looking. Close enough is close enough.”
The argument ended when hunger turned their attention to the lush foliage of the hillside. Baleful sighed with short-lived relief. Wise Old Bunny had not hopped away with the others, and now nibbled on grass nearby, even hopping closer for a blade or two. Did he know? Why did he keep stopping to sniff the air?
At last Wise Old Bunny spoke. “You don’t make a very good rabbit.” Not looking directly at Baleful, he nibbled on another blade of grass.
Baleful tried to stifle a whine, which came out as a nervous whimper. Only yesterday Wicked, the wolf pack leader, had made a similar pronouncement. “You don’t make a very good wolf,” he had snarled.
“I can’t eat bunnies,” Baleful had wailed. “They’re too cute.”
“Cute?” Wicked had growled menacingly as the rest of the pack circled and howled in laughter. “They’re not cute, they’re food! What do you suggest we eat instead?”
“Well,” Baleful said with a hopeful sniff, “Maybe we could eat grass like the bunnies.”
This was too much, and Wicked’s snarling mouth was now inches from Baleful’s quivering throat. The pack stopped circling and watched expectantly. Suddenly Wicked stopped snarling and sat back on his haunches. “Very well. You like the bunnies. You shall become one of them. Yes,” he said with a sly, toothy grin, “You will live with them until they become used to the smell of a wolf. That way you can eat all the grass you want and we shall be able to sneak up and catch all the bunnies we can eat!”
The pack had howled approvingly, and a costume was constructed from past hunts. Baleful wasn’t happy, but the menacing pack gave him no choice, and he, a wolf, had gone to live among the bunnies.
Now nothing was going right, and Baleful crouched on the ground with his nose between his rabbit hair covered wolf paws. “No,” he admitted to Wise Old Bunny, “I’m not a rabbit, I’m a wolf. But I’m not a good wolf, either. I can’t eat bunnies.” He resisted an urge to sit up and howl mournfully.
Wise Old Bunny didn’t seem alarmed at the news, and ate another blade of grass before speaking again. “You know, if you really were a rabbit, you would be satisfied eating grass.”
Baleful stopped sniffling and sat up. “Are you saying I could become a real rabbit?”
“It happens. But there is only one way. You have to go to the Big Bunny Master, and ask him to transform you into a real rabbit.”
Baleful had heard the story of the Big Bunny Master, but had not been sure it was true. The story was that the Big Bunny Master had been killed by wolves, but instead of really dying he had somehow become bigger than any mere rabbit could ever be, and now had complete power over the realm of not only the bunny rabbits, but the wolves as well. The story, naturally, was forbidden to be told in wolf lairs. He listened now as Wise Old Bunny continued, “There is one nonnegotiable condition.”
“What is it?” Baleful’s wolf ears twitched under the fake bunny ears.
“You have to drop the mask, take off the costume, and come to the Big Bunny Master just as you are, a wolf.”
Baleful hesitated. “But I’m a despicable wolf. When the Big Bunny Master sees me… and if the other wolves see me… and if the bunnies see me…”
“Well, that’s it. Not an easy choice, but the only way.”
Baleful thought earnestly for a time. At last he removed his costume and spoke quietly, “Will you take me to him?”
Soon after, Baleful and Wise Old Bunny munched grass contentedly side by side while other bunnies nibbled grass nearby and hungry wolves howled in the distance.
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