Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Obedience (01/31/05)
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TITLE: Flowers, Kids and Stuff | Previous Challenge Entry
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02/06/05 -
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‘Brownie’ the lop-eared rabbit had just been discovered… dead, and Caleb our seven year old son and co-owner of the deceased was devastated.
We sat together and hugged, and cried, and eulogized, and then hugged some more. Her time had been short so emphasis was firmly placed on quality of life, as opposed to quantity – he had taught her to skateboard after all.
The preparations followed. A sarcophagus was decorated, pictures and letters were duly submitted and Mother contributed a cheesy poem and carrot from the refrigerator to accompany her to the afterlife. Dad assumed the role of funeral director/undertaker, gingerly splicing into the burial ground, not wishing to encounter any of the hamsters or fish gone before.
And all seemed well, until it dawned on Caleb that in a few days time we would all be gone to our new home and his beloved pet would remain. So once more Dad, armed with spade in hand dutifully began the exhumation process. The troops took it in turns sitting in the shed, solemnly guarding the casket against any malicious cat-attacks and two days later ‘Brownie’ was re-interred, in Charlestown.
Charlestown, final destination of Chuckhole Highway, home to one red phone box, twelve or so natives…. oh, and us! It really is the end of the road as once you get there, you can go no further and have to turn around and go back the way you came.
The first thing that struck me about this quaint little place was the sheer volume of flowers. As we entered the village we were met by a display secondary only I’m sure, to Nebuchadnezzar’s own suspended botanical phenomenon. At every waking moment during the summer months, one villager or another could be spied watering, pruning and plucking. The reason for this overindulgence is, Ulster’s Annual ‘Village in Bloom’ Competition.
I secretly hoped that no judges would stop by our place. Twenty five years of vacancy with nothing but the odd cow left out the back to graze had served only to produce well-fertilized soil for the weeds.
The front was no better, which only added to my confusion when later that month I noticed four huge, brightly colored flower heads on Brownie’s grave. My son was really stretching the imagination when, in an attempt to appease my curiosity, suggested that he’d picked them from this very spot!
I say if you want truth, always nab the youngest child in sight. On this occasion it happened to be Bethany, my five year old daughter and junior partner in crime. “Oh the flowers” she said way too casually, “well me and Caleb sneeked out down to the village when you and Daddy were sleeping … it was his idea!”
“You did whaaaaaaat..….?” I hadn’t even met the neighbors and already my mind was in overdrive, bombarding me with visions of them running us out of town!
During the interrogation and rant that followed, the little guy looked so pitiful. He’d only wanted Brownie’s grave to look nice after all. I quickly quit hyperventilating and we wound up hugging and reminiscing over our dear departed friend.
Later I mused over the day’s events pondering my son’s actions. His intent had been honorable yet he hadn’t stopped to consider whether or not his actions would be in accordance to my will. Suddenly the voice within said … “To obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22 KJV.) “Oh Lord I know” I mumbled. How many times had I gone off full steam ahead… my own steam, launching into some project, albeit with the best intentions but without submitting to the authority of and giving ear to, the word of God! Okay I had read a few feel good chapters of late - that was mainly to appease my conscience, but when was the last time I’d searched the scriptures to find out His will for my life? I realized how slack I’d become and resolved from then on, to honor my Father with full obedience.
Once more my Heavenly Father had used my children to give me a wake up call. I will never again view Dahlias in the same light again!
(I should’ve mentioned that two days prior to judging our two newly acquired goats escaped, heading straight for the tubs and pots…. but I guess that’s another story ……!)
750!
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