Chocolate Chips in the Milk Jug??

[Above, Marci and I in our "Sunday Best"]

Dear Friends,

     I write to tell a silly story that captures the innocence of children when it comes to fussy eating...

     Marci (4) and Nathan (7) came to live in our neighborhood less than a month ago, and in that time, they have never ceased to baffle us. They are energetic, witty, loving, and downright hysterical, sometimes!

     One afternoon, they came to our home with wide, brown eyes, hoping to see some of the chickens. After showing them the "barnyard", i needed to get some things done, so i let them watch a movie, while i worked in the kitchen. 

Before long, a little voice rose above the sounds of the movie, saying those two frightful words when one is busy. "I'm hungry!" (Oh dear...)

The three of us went through the usual routine of "do you want this or that?" Eventually, and with some work, we came to the conclusion of a bit of fruit, some protein, and a glass of milk. 

    Good. I thought. For now, I can work while they eat. But children are far faster at eating, if they're REALLY hungry, than adults. And soon, the little voice made its way to my ears, once more, with the "I'm still hungry." 

    I sighed. What more could i give them? Chocolate chips? That would go well with their milk, right? 

Marci cupped the semi-sweet, Ghiradelli chocolate morsels in her palms with contented joy, while her brother seemed to like them as well. I had triumphed! From that time, until their father came to fetch them, i worked, undisturbed, while they watched the movie. 

   Later, I was tidying up the living room and found an untouched glass of milk, near the couch. It was left by the elder of my two guests. 

Well, i thought again. I dont want to waste it... So I carried it to the kitchen and poured it back into the carton. 

                                                        Kerplunk!!! 

My eyes widened. What just fell into the milk jug? To my horror, a small handful of chocolate chips sank to the floor of the plastic container. That glass of milk was not untouched at all! One of the children had saved it so as to hide their semi-sweet chocolate chips that obviously weren't as yummy as i thought they were. 

With red cheeks, I strained the candy from the milk and replaced it in the jug, hoping that no one would notice. :)

Oh Abba! I prayed. Please give me patience with these young ones... 

 The other night a friend asked me if learning from children ever gets boring. Well it goes without saying that i answered "No... No children never stop amazing me!" 

It all started with...

"My heart reeled with a twist of excitement and dismay as

I forced myself to step towards the looming platform in the center of the room. They had explained to me that the mission would be tough, yet tried to say that it'd be a crazy adventure at the same time, so no worries! The enemy's men would be watching for me at every corner, in every dark ally... My mission was simple: dont fall prey to them. Once I arrived in, a host family would be waiting for me. I would not be alone...

 Footsteps in the hallway shook my train of thought. Summoning all the strength within my heart, I drew a deep breath and called my ready expression of eagerness to full attention. When my Father and Commander thrust the door open wide, I lifted my head and smiled brightly, trying to look unafraid. He came to give me my orders and to personally brief me on the mission into the unknown. Almost everything was in perfect order: the portal was prepped and charged, my mission was programed at the word of the Master into my heart so that i would not forget. What was left? At this thought, I almost crumbled under the weight of fear and confusion. Dont cry! Dont cry! Not in front of the Master. 

"You're afraid, aren't you?" He spoke for the first time. It was music to my ears-yet a little frightening. 

I attempted not to lose it. My head scooped in humility. "Master, I go where you send me. I am trying not to be afraid." 

"I know." He answered. "And your mission will be short- 100 years at the most. Dont worry."

 100 years? How long is that? "Master, your officers have explained my orders, but I am still confused as to the reason for my mission." 

He nodded, and began to pace. This wonderful presence gave me a shivering awe, yet I felt so warm by His indescribable light.

"You must go, not because someone else cant do it for you, but because I need to give you a choice. Up until now, you have only had the opportunity to serve Me, and to remain a member of My kingdom. But if you were given the choice to serve another master, what would you chose?..." He paused for a moment. I let His words linger in my mind, my heart, my mouth. They tasted somewhat tart- what was I to do with them?

"Rahel, I send you out that you may choose to serve Me. The world of the flesh is so easy to get tangled up in. It's so easy to blame it on others for your own mistakes because you think that you are incapable of making them... When you become a servant of the flesh, you are capable of any sin- and it is not the fault of anyone else but you." 

I tried to wrap my brain around all these words. Yep. No comprehend-O. :) 

"Rahel," this time He spoke with a bit of urgency in His voice. "It's time to go." 

I sighed, moved one foot in front of the other, & stepped onto the platform. 

"Just 100 years, right?" I asked

"It may seem like a while to you, but really, only a few moments will have gone by... Still, I will miss you."

This was encouraging, though I was still disheartened to be leaving Him that my soul loved so much. I gazed around for the final time, knowing that all this would be forgotten as soon as I became flesh. 

"Remember," Master said, "the things that I choose to give you on earth last only for a short time. But I am forever. Remember Me." 

I nodded again, and bowed my head in respect, only this time, when i looked up, I was surrounded by wet darkness. Thoughts of who I was and what my mission consisted of began to hastily scatter from my brain. 

So, I thought, this must be the beginning... "

A revised version of a narrative that I wrote for myself in order to remember my true calling. Though it was long, I needed to share what was on my heart concerning the journey that we are all on. We become afraid, sometimes, that we are all alone- but we are not. We loose focus, sometimes, on the fact of the matter that YHVH's commands are there to keep us from stumbling. We grow close to the people that we love, yet when Yah takes them away from us, we realize that it is still about Him, and that even relationships last only for a moment, but He is forever. 

Hope that this isn't just a vague one of those Picaso type stories, but that it will esteem YHVH, and encourage you. {PS: this is NOT an actual hypothesis on how it might go before a person is conceived. Rather, just a comforting thought.  (: } 

• Remember! Dont loose focus! No mind has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined what YHVH has planned for those who love Him (and know HIM!!!) 
• And of course... remember Zion! 

  Love Rahel