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Flash: The Donkey with a Message

 

 

Everywhere I go, people ask me about my donkey, Flash. Maybe they've read about him here on my blog, or heard me speak on "Donkey Principles," and they wonder how he's doing and what he's been up to lately. I usually say that he's busy living the good life out there in the pasture these days. The spring grass is coming up early and he's hardly touched the hay in the barn. He's got his soft winter coat that curls into ringlets in wet weather and he still sports that devilish scar across his nose from his reckless youthful days. He hasn't attempted any daring escapades lately, for which I'm thankful. Flash brings a smile to my face every single day....and now he's made it into some of my artwork. Today's image (above) is one of my recent pieces that's part of a series I'm creating. I might feature some of these here on my blog if ya'll will indulge me. :)

The past few days I've been in and out of the barn, where I'm painting a bookcase for a client. Flash is great company, even though he is roped off from my painting area. He gets as close as he can to inspect my work. I feel like if he had thumbs he'd give the the "thumbs up" signal to show his approval. When I go out there, I like to bring him baby carrots - just a few. He LOVES them! His big rubbery lips gently lift them from my palm and into his mouth so he can crunch on them with delight. When he's finished, he will nose my pockets for more and pretend he's nibbling on my jacket, just in case I come up with another treat. If I bring treats TOO often he gets greedy and ornery, so I have to limit them, even though I don't like to. I hate to see him stomp his feet and pout, which he does quite well when he doesn't get his way.

Shoot. Flash has taught me so much about life in the time that we've had him. Maybe it seems strange to you that I hear God speaking to me through that silly guy, but I really do. It's as if God plopped him into our lives just so he could be a continual illustration of faith, character and grace. Every time I look out into the pasture and see him plodding from one end to the other, or grazing voraciously on grass or fraternizing with the horses next door, there is some kind of truth to be found in his humble existence.

To me, Flash is a reminder that God speaks. 

He speaks through the simplest of things.

And He moves in the most unexpected ways.

And He uses the most unlikely of characters.

Flash reminds me that God has always loved the underdog, the person voted "least likely to succeed," the outcast and the sinner. My donkey, although cute, has not done a lick of work around here to deserve his room and board....and yet we love and care for him - much the same way our heavenly Father cares for us in our undeserving state. Mostly, we look for handouts and free goodies from our master - even when we have been given everything that we need - we think we need more. We stomp and pout and cop an attitude. And God, in his wisdom, sometimes has to withold the things we want so badly because He wants to shape our character and use us in ways that giving us everything would spoil. 

I know most of you don't have a long-eared donkey in your backyard, but I have a hunch that God has placed other things in your life that He is speaking through. Listen, God can reveal himself in a sinkful of dishes, a load of laundry, a traffic jam, Lego creations and spilled milk. He can reach through our icals, our google docs, our e-readers and tablets and modern conveniences and whisper the ancient truths that have stood since the beginning of time. 

That He loves you.

He knows you.

He cares for you.

He created you.

He calls you by name.

Today's Small Thing is simply to listen. Listen to the rhythms of your life - ok maybe the chaos of your life - and hear that still small voice. So often we miss it because we think it will only come during a holy prayer time, when in actuality our whole day can be a running conversation with Him. Look at each task on your To Do List as an opportunity for an illustration of faith and character and grace. God longs to speak to our hearts if only we'll slow down long enough to pay attention.

What "unlikely" ways has God spoken to you in the past? Is there a situation you're currently facing that is bringing home a truth in a way you might not have expected? If you could give me a "laundry illustration" (i.e. a spiritual lesson derived from a mundane task) what would it be? Look at the events of your day and think about how you could apply God's word to each thing. That, my friend, is God speaking.

I would love to hear how God speaks to you today.

Song of the Day: Word of God Speak, Mercy Me

 

Company Girl Coffee and a Flash Story

My donkey Flash has been living the high life.

 

Ever since the wedding in November, he has wanted to get into the enclosure where all the beautiful grass is that had been planted for the event. However, my husband had cordoned off the area to prevent him from, well, pooping all over it and generally messing it up.

Well, ol' Flash didn't take too kindly to the ropes that Tom had strung across the barn opening that leads to that pasture, so he just decided to take matters into his own hands... er, hooves - and broke in. Many times.

But here's the mysterious part. The ropes never moved.

We'd look up and see him standing on the other side of the rope fence as if he'd just beamed himself over. Ropes perfectly intact.

We don't know how he did it. Over? Under? Through? We checked all the fences to see if there was another way in.....nope, nothing.

Sometimes we'd wake up in the morning to see him, eating away, inside that pasture as if nothing was out of the ordinary. Other times, we'd be in the barn and simply turn away for a second, and then there he'd be. Like magic. Right under our noses.

Finally, Tom gave up trying to keep him out of that heavenly green acre and just took the ropes down so he could have at it.

Flash has been happily munching in there ever since, enjoying himself immensely....while we still scratch our heads in wonder over his ability to materialize at will. And although he HAS pooped in the barn, he has left his new grazing area pure and pristine, not a turd to be found.

I guess it's just his way of saying, "Thanks."

Today's Small Thing is to express "Thanks" in YOUR own way to someone.

The EASY way is to simply say it with words. The more complicated way - and sometimes the more meaningful way - is to say it by "doing." By doing an action or activity that expresses thoughtful gratitude. Now obviously, don't use Flash's method of thoughtful gratitude - no manure need be involved here - but perhaps there is another way you can show kindness to another person.

A gesture of thanks can be accompanied by an explanation of why you're doing it without cheapening the action, as long as it's done gracefully. Is there someone who might enjoy a nice turn, after all they've done for you? We'd love to know your "expression of thanks" activity and who you are doing it for today!

 

While you're thinking of something nice to do for someone, how about joining us for a virutal cup of coffee? Company Girl Coffee is our weekly feature that allows everyone to get to know each other by simply linking up. (If you're receiving this post via email, you'll need to pop over to the blog to be able to see the links.) My weekend got crazy last time, and I did not have a chance to get around to visit, despite my best efforts....but I plan to spend some time visiting ya'll this time! We have some wonderful, interesting and fun Company Girls - so even if you don't link up, why not stop in and see them?

 

 

 

Company Girl Coffee 6.3

My husband, Tom, will be travelling quite a bit this summer, and he is on a mad rampage to get some "honey-do's" off his list before he goes. One of the things he wanted to get done was wax and buff our daughter's car. He pulled it into the barn area, turned up the country music and went to town on it.  Then our son pulled HIS car in right behind him and worked on getting his little beauty shined up. I was the "Detail Girl" and worked on the cracks and crevices of both vehicles to get them clean.

That's when Flash, my ever-curious donkey, showed up to see what was going on. He stood around for quite awhile, checking out the action and making a big ado about scratching himself against a post. He used his giant buck teeth to get at the mosquito bites on his legs and then gave me that "are you going to help me out here?' look with those big brown eyes.

I got the hint and grabbed a brush so I could give him his own buffing. He loved every minute of the detail work, turning his own self as I went along - to make sure I got the spots he wanted scratched and brushed. What a character.

At that point, we had to laugh at the scene: there we were, all lined up, each buffing and polishing our "beasts!" Ha!

Well, that's what's going on at my house, what's happening at YOURS? Feel free to link up below for Company Girl Coffee - the no-pressure-just fun way to invite people to visit your blog. If you are not a blogger, we'd like to catch up with you in the comment section - so don't be shy!

Scroll down to the next post for the easy Small Thing today!

 

Company Girl Coffee 4.15

The Texas bluebonnets are blooming right now, so I had to take some photos of my donkey, Flash, in them. He would only stay in the flowers if we threw some feed out there...but then he kept his nose buried in the grass as he ate away, and it was a challenge to get a good picture of him. Here are a few shots...I've judiciously left out the ones where he threw a fit about not getting some carrots. Maybe I'll show those some other time, like one day when I'm mad at him.

"C'mon, pick your head up, DonkeyBoy."

 

"OK, nevermind, just eat the dadgum feed."

 

"I'll come down to your level, then."

 

"JEEPERS! Your head is heavy to hold up!"

"I give up - eat away!"

I posted about seeing Flash in the bluebonnets over on Priscilla's blog yesterday. It's crazy how he never ceases to inspire me to think spiritual thoughts....what a guy.

It's now time for Company Girl Coffee, our weekly feature that allows everyone to link up and have a party! To participate, simply enter your blog post URL into the space below....and if you'd like, you can copy and paste the "Blog Hop" code into your blog post and PRESTO! The list shows up on your blog. Non-bloggers (the vast, silent majority of readers - wink, nudge ;) are encouraged to chat in the comment section. Let us know who you are, maybe what Small Thing you enjoyed this week, or something completely random! We'd like to get to know you.

Company Girl Coffee 2.4

On Monday night, the Dallas area was hit with an ice storm and everything has pretty much shut down since then. You northerners may scoff at our southern panic over ice, but we really are unprepared for the fridgid conditions that ya'll are accustomed to. The roads have been treacherous so we've mostly stayed at home and enjoyed the "time off" from the outside world. I've loved it.

Flash has enjoyed unmerited grace and favor from my husband, who was an inch from killing him last week over some fences he destroyed (twice), but who has made sure he's been warm and dry in the barn. Donkeys' coats don't repel water like horses' do, so being soaked by freezing rain can mean serious trouble for our long-eared equine friends. Flash has humbly accepted the hay and water by being extra good - and by only pooping in one giant pile in the barn, instead of all over the place. It's the least he can do.

My nice man, Tom, had his one chance to create ice surfaces for hockey this week and was only semi-successful. He has a "dry-land training" area in our pasture for the team he coaches (we call it "Tom's Hockey Complex") and he used the opportunity to glaze the shooting pads with extra water. Unfortunately, the ice wasn't quite sturdy enough to stand on with skates, bummer. But he and our son, Grayson, had a blast out there anyway. BTW, I was in charge of the hot cocoa....inside.

Have you all survived this arctic storm? Most of North America has been under it, and I know it has caused a lot of trouble for a bunch of folks. I'm praying for a thaw in the weather! Please link up for Company Girl Coffee, the weekly feature that allows us to visit one another. Ever wondered who some of the other Company Girls are? Well, this is a great way to get out and meet them! If you aren't a blogger, feel free to chat with everyone in the comments section below.

 

 

News FLASH! My Donkey is Home!

On Friday, just as I was getting ready to post "Missing Donkey" signs all over the place, the sheriff's department called with word that someone had found my donkey, Flash. We'd spent hours and hours looking for him, trying to figure out how and when he'd escaped...and wondering what on earth he was doing while on the lam. Flash has been on the loose before - in fact he had simply just shown up at our house one day....and never left. Abused and mistreated, his owners (thankfully) never responded to our inquiries and signs, and during the four years he has been with us, he has been a constant source of amusement, annoyance and enchantment. Sometimes all at the same time.

So when the phone call came, we hopped in the car and went to a property about a mile away. He'd wandered into the yard of some very nice people, who'd put him into their pasture, gave him some hay and water, and notified the sheriff.

We arrived to find him acting punchy. Tossing his head and wheeling around like he was a bad-A donkey, we realized he was showing off for the horses in the next pasture, who had gathered up by the fence to gawk. Flash went over and started a fight with them and then came back over to get his halter on. I guess he felt sheepish being led off that way, and wanted to leave them with the impression that he was a force to be reckoned with, cooperating only because he wanted to. So typical.

Well, it took FOREVER to proceed from there. Flash would take a few steps and then balk. Take a few steps and stop. My husband, Tom, who missed his calling as a horse, er, donkey whisperer, gradually got him about 50 yards from the pasture and said, "this is going to be a long walk home."

That's when the son of the rescue people offered to hook up their horse trailer and help load him up. NICE! It was comical, watching Flash decide if he would go into the trailer or not, and he spent about 30 minutes with his front feet in...and back feet out....while he made up his mind. A not-so-gentle push with the trailer door helped him decide, and he was finally loaded up and ready for the winding, albeit short, ride home.

Here is a little bit of video of his return.

Safe and sound, I'm so happy that he is back! The gates have been secured and the fences are tight. He's been hugged and kissed and brushed. I know a donkey is not the most important thing in the world, but I can't help but think it was no coincidence that the scripture I was painting on a client's nursery wall later that day was this:

James 1:17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above. 

That silly donkey has been a gift to me. And I am grateful.

There is no Small Thing today....enjoy your Monday. What are you grateful for today?

Song of the Day: Thank You, Sanctus Real

Company Girl Coffee 1.21

MISSING DONKEY!

My donkey, Flash, went missing yesterday. And he's still not back. {cry!}

A gate was down for a few hours before we saw it and fixed it, but even so, there are no hoof prints around the area to suggest that he got out that way. In fact, there are no hoof prints in the soft wet soil near any of the gates. All the fences are good, there are no places that he could have gotten through. We searched and searched yesterday, but it's like he simply vanished.

I know God has plenty on his plate without having to get my donkey back, but I sure would like to see him returned to me. I'm putting "Missing Donkey" signs up today in the hopes that some kind person took him in and is waiting to see my signs and will call me with news that he is safe.

To Whomever has Flash: please be real nice to my donkey. He's been through a lot in his life and he was just beginning to blossom into the huge personality we knew he had under that humble demeanor. If he seems shy, just scratch behind his ears and on the top of his rump and he will be your friend forever. Carrots are a big treat, but will make a pest out of him, so go easy on those. If you've got some dirt he can roll in, he will be a happy camper, but don't be fooled. He will be missing me...and that gentle man who pretends to be annoyed with him but who makes sure he is warm and dry and fed.

So please bring him back because he needs us. And we need him. There are too many more adventures to be had and stories to be told about him.

I miss him!

Link up for Company Girl Coffee! Don't be shy...simply enter your blog URL in the box and people will come and visit you. Or, you can chat away in the comments. Have fun!

And say a prayer for Flash, will you? Thank you.

 

Worst Supervisor Ever

We've been working in our barn on a signage project for a client for the past few weeks.

I designed the artwork and my husband is doing all the hard stuff: building the frames, printing, putting everything together. The barn is FULL of these signs!

I was given the task of staining the cedar posts, but I don't mind telling you right now.......my supervisor stinks. I mean, just look at him.

Flash has an opinion about everything. Here, he is telling me I missed a spot. Well, you know what, I saw that spot and was going to go back and fix it...he's such a micromanager.

It is hard to concentrate when your boss is looking over your shoulder all the time. Does he have to stand so close?

 

Yes, I got all the supplies we needed, no need to do another inventory. Geez, a little trust would be appreciated.

 

Apparently, Flash did not like me drinking coffee during work hours so he tipped my cup over and chewed it to smithereens. I admit I knew it wasn't actually "break time," but I assumed it would be ok since we were working outside. Guess not....you know what they say about "assuming....?"

 

Then he went on a rant about OSHA and how dangerous it is to leave ropes laying around and how we could be sued if someone tripped....but did he have to pick it up and throw it around to make his point? A little over the top, if you ask me.

My boss even had to to second-guess the amount of stain I poured into my tray for "maximum coverage." C'mon...give me a break! For the last time, there is plenty of stain in the tray.

Flash might be a terrible supervisor, but I have to say he IS a great listener. As I worked, I discussed the current political situation, the war in Afghanistan, the rising cost of groceries and Chilean miners being rescued. He listened to my hair woes, my new favorite song, my fashion dilemmas and my gripe with teeny tiny letters on medicine packages.....all without one word of judgment. 

In all fairness, I guess Flash is not that bad to work for. I'm going to suggest enrolling him in a Dale Carnegie course for managers, and I'll help him work on his people skills and give him a few tips on personal hygiene. I think he might just have some potential.

Today's Small Thing is work on your supervising skills. Everyone is a supervisor in some capacity. If you have children at home, this one is right under your nose. :) You could apply this one at work, or with people who serve you meals in a restaurant, or who wait on you in a store.

• How do you give direction? Is it clear and easy to follow?
• Or do you give too many orders at one time, resulting in frustration?
• Do you give enough time and resources for your workers to be successful?
• Do you follow up with reasonable consequences and/or rewards?
• Are you approachable when there is a problem?
• Do you micromanage, or do you allow your underlings a chance to do things on their own?

These are just a few questions to ask yourself as you go through your day.  Ask God for some guidance and wisdom! James 1:5 says, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 

POINTS: 50 for taking an honest look at how you supervise at home (or at work) and making ONE positive change in your approach.  

I'd LOVE to know what areas of people management you are working on today! Mine is making my instructions clear and easy to follow....

Song of the Day: Taking Care of Business, BTO

Not Exactly a Christmas Donkey

The other day, I was thinking about the donkey that Mary might have ridden to Bethlehem.  Seeing Flash out there in the pasture gave me an inkling of what that four-footed guy might have been like.  Want to read more?  Head over to Priscilla's blog for my thoughts today.

 

Photo courtesy of DLM Photography - thanks, Dawn!

 

 

Zechariah 9:9

 

Today's song, "You Are my King," by Newsboys is perfect for this post. Click "play" to listen!

I've found that the Bible has a lot to say about Jesus being The King. Zechariah 9:9 is a prophecy, given about 520 years before Christ, and fulfilled when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey just before the Passover.  I love the words of this verse, and the undercurrent of excitement you can feel as you read it.

"Rejoice greatly!" reminds me of I Thessalonians 5:16's command to "rejoice always."  Well, rejoicing was the furthest thing from my mind on the night of the Big Cry. But imagine being liberated from the tyranny of a dictator, i.e. the chains of sin and defeat, and WELCOMING a triumphant king!  You have been freed from the sins of your past, and the bondage of slavery, defeat, and failure.  Shout, girl! Your King comes to you.

"See, your King comes to you," is saying, "Look up! Pay attention! SEE!" When your head is bowed down under the weight of your burdens, you can't see that your salvation is on its way.  That night, I was so busy boo-hooing that I was missing out on the greatest scene in the world: Jesus coming toward me to take control.  I want to be in a place of expectancy to see my king riding in...not looking down at the ground and miss the whole thing. 

And I love how the King is coming to ME. To US.  Sometimes it feels like I'm chasing after Him, when the reality is that HE is coming my way.  The battle has already been won and now I'm welcoming his victorious reign in my life.

"Righteous and having salvation."  A righteous king rules with justice, and I can rest under His rule knowing that He will make all things right in the end.  I may experience "unfair" things in life, but I can trust that He ultimately holds my destiny in His hands.  His salvation has brought me out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of light.  That's a fancy way of saying He saved me from a really rotten existence into one that's amazing and eternal!

Now, I promise that I did not choose this verse because it features a donkey!  But the donkey here is significant, not only because Jesus fulfilled this prophecy literally, but because a king riding on a donkey would be a ludicrous sight!  Why, his feet would almost drag on the ground as the lowly beast of burden carried him along!  A king on a donkey clearly shows that He comes in peace and gentleness.  He is down at the level of the people, where they could touch Him and speak to Him, not up on a high horse or imposing chariot. Jesus took the humblest of creatures to make His triumphant entry.  So typical of Him. He tenderly leads, carefully rules, and graciously uses the lowliest for His glory.

What a King.

When the question "have you no King?' rocketed through my heart, I hadn't spent a whole lot of time thinking about the answer beforehand.  I'd sung the songs and spoken the words, "you are my King," without my heart fully understanding what it even means to HAVE a King.  Now, as I begin to comprehend His greatness, it is a whole lot easier to submit to Him.  Why hang on to my own puny lordship, when the King of all kings gently waits for me to step aside and let Him rule?

Today's Small Thing is to print off (or post up) Zechariah 9:9 and put it where you can see it.  That's it.

Download Zech9.9

But would you take it one step further and leave a comment about our King?  I've made several observations about Jesus as King today.  Now, it's YOUR turn.  Scripture is full of direct and indirect references to the King.  I'd love to hear your thoughts, meditations, or discoveries today!  Try doing a search and then share what you find.

LOOK UP and SEE! Your King comes!

POINTS: 40 for posting Zechariah 9:9 somewhere