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The Bird in The Shop

One day, a bird flew into the shop. As soon as it came in, it shot up to the ceiling. Mistaking the white ceiling for the sky, it kept flying against it. Not wanting him inside, I tried to shoo him toward the open door. But to get out, he had to fly low, while his instinct told him to fly high. Instead of escaping, he kept bumping against the artificial sky—the ceiling. All day, he flew back and forth, trapped, because he would not lower himself enough to go through the door.

Do you know how I finally got the bird out? Well, I turned the lights off and shut the door. Birds will not fly in darkness. Then I opened the door a tiny bit. This caused a thin sliver of light to shine on the ceiling. The bird began to flutter in that small patch of light. He was afraid of the dark and drawn to the light. Taking a ladder, I climbed up to where he was and caught him in my hand. Then I took him outside and released him to real freedom!

The bird reminds me of human nature. So often we become trapped by our own foolishness. Refusing to humble ourselves, we keep bumping against an artificial sky of our own making. We rush back and forth, trying to find freedom, but on our own, we will never succeed.

God will show you the way, but you must humble yourself and kneel in prayer. Freedom can be yours, and your problems can be overcome if you are willing to do things God’s way. Jesus is the light. If you come to the light, He will take you into His hands and lead you into true freedom.

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12 NKJV

Douglas & Deborah Huff

From Down Where the Pavement Ends

www.pavementendsministry.com

Email- douglas@pavementendsministry.com

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Call Out to the Father

I saw it at a Middle School football game. The offense ran a sneak play. After it was over, all of the players got up but one. This one boy seemed to be in a lot of pain. Lying on his back, he rocked back and forth, holding onto his leg. The coaches and trainers all ran to where he lay. We all hoped it was just a cramp, but it looked serious.

We were sitting not far from the boy's parents. Now, football parents know that you trust the coaches and don't rush to the field every time your child appears to be hurt. So, I watched Mama and Daddy anxiously, waiting and watching.

But then, raising his head, the boy let out a piercing cry that was heard all over the Granite Bowl, “Daddyyy.” Before the last echo faded, his father had jumped the wall separating the stands from the field and was at his son's side. Because that is what Daddies do. When our children call, we come!

This isn’t a parable. I actually saw it happen. But it is an earthly story that illustrates a heavenly principle. In Luke 11:13, Jesus teaches us that if ordinary men can be good daddies, then how much better is our Father in Heaven? Throughout the Bible, we are told that all we have to do is call out to God and He will answer. In times of great distress, He says, “Here I am.” Those times when we are confused, He says, “Call to Me and I will answer you and teach you things you do not know.”

The bottom line is this. While men on earth can be good daddies, we have a God in Heaven who is a truly great Father. God is good and loving. Like the football parents in the stands that day, He waits for us to call out to Him. Yet even before we call, He will answer, because that’s what God does. When His children call, He is already there.

Douglas & Deborah Huff

From Down Where the Pavement Ends

www.pavementendsministry.com

douglas@pavementendsministry.com

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The Corn has Turned Brown

In the cool of the morning, I sit on the back porch. My thoughts this morning are on the goodness of God. At the edge of the porch, a swarm of hummingbirds competes for sugar water. In the woods, squirrels are chattering about whatever is important to squirrels. Now, a slight breeze brings a rustling sound from the dried-up corn stalks.

A few days ago, I was pulling corn. The patch below the house produced a lot this year! We put a lot of corn in the freezer. Then we told all our friends and neighbors to get some corn. I took a lot of corn to people who couldn't come and get it. We were blessed with an abundance of corn this year. But now the corn has turned brown.

Yes, July was hot and dry. But the fact is, when the corn is ready, you only have a few days to gather it. If you don't get it when it is ready, it will get hard. The stalks will go from bright green to brown. Then it's over until next year.

The dried-up corn reminds me of my late neighbor Dan. Every year, he planted corn. Most of the time, he produced a lot of corn. One year, it was extra hot and dry. When the corn did not grow, all of Dan’s money, time, and elbow grease were wasted. But Dan didn’t worry about it. He just grinned and said, “I will plant corn again next year.”

Dan’s attitude about raising corn reminds me of Proverbs 28:25, which says, “He who trusts in the Lord will prosper.” Sometimes it rains, and sometimes it doesn’t. Some years the corn grows, and other years it won’t. So, I will trust in the Lord with all my heart because anyone who trusts God will not be disappointed.

. God has shown kindness by giving us rain from heaven. Because of His wisdom, the crops grow in their seasons. This is why listening to the rustling of dried-up corn stalks fills my heart with joy.

Douglas & Deborah Huff

From Down Where the Pavement Ends

www.pavementendsministry.com

Email-douglas@pavementendsministry.com