Jealous Jenny

Jenny couldn’t wait to tell her mom she won the spelling bee. They worked until 10:30 the night before on the especially hard words.

            “Mom! Mom!” She called, dashing through the front door. Jenny looked in the kitchen but Mom wasn’t there. She looked in the garage and the garden, but Mom wasn’t there either.

            “Mom! Mom!” she called running through the house.

            “What is it, Sweetie?” Mom said from upstairs.

            Jenny already knew she must be with her sister, Cammie.

            “Oh, hi Jenny,” Mom said. “Just a minute.”

            Mom was changing the bandages on Cammie’s foot. Saturday morning Cammie helped Mom with breakfast and accidentally bumped the coffee pot, spilling hot coffee on her foot. She screamed and their cat, Max, bulleted straight up in the air. Mom, Dad and Jenny took Cammie to the Emergency Room and the doctor said her foot had third degree burns. After he treated it, he told Mom she would have to clean the burn and change the dressing every day. Cammie cried every time Mom touched her.

            Knowing Mom might be a while; Jenny changed her clothes and started her homework when the phone rang.

            “Hello,” Jenny said.

            “Hi Jenny,” said Grandma. “How is Cammie?”

            “She’s crying. Mom is changing her dressing.”

            “Oh dear,” said Grandma. “Would you tell Mom I called?”

            “Sure, Grandma.”

            “I love you, Jenny.”

            “I love you too, Grandma.”

            When Mom finished changing Cammie’s dressing, she started cooking dinner.

            “Mom,” said Jenny.

            “Jenny, I can’t talk right now. Can’t you see I’m busy?”

            “Yes, Mom,” Jenny said and a tear rolled down her cheek. Lately it seemed Cammie got all the attention. On her birthday she got the prettiest pink Barbie glasses. Jenny wanted some too, but Mom said she didn’t need glasses. And Cammie got another pair of new shoes.

            “Mom, why can’t I have new shoes?” Jenny had asked.

            “Jenny, we’ve talked about this. Cammie’s toes go slightly together when she walks, making her shoes wear out faster. You, my dear, have perfect feet and out grow your shoes instead of wearing them out.”

            “It’s not fair, Mom. I want new shoes. These are ugly!” Even as Jenny cried she knew Mom and Dad couldn’t afford to buy new shoes for her when her shoes held up so well. Besides Dad had received a 15% cut in pay. Jenny overheard her parents questioning how they would pay house and car payments, doctor and medicine bills.

            Jenny helped Mom clean up the kitchen after dinner and wondered if she would ask about the spelling bee. She didn’t. Tears welled up in Jenny’s eyes. When they finished their work, Mom said, “Now do your homework, before time to shower and get ready for bed.” Then she saw Jenny’s tears. “What’s the matter?”

            “Nothing.” Jenny saw Mom stressing over so many things.

            “Jenny, I know you don’t cry for nothing,” Mom said. She put her arms around Jenny and together they walked to Jenny’s room. “Now tell me what’s going on. Is it something at school?”

            “Mom, it’s nothing. You have other things to worry about.”

            “But I love you and I am here for you.”

            “It doesn’t feel like it, Mom.”

            “What do you mean?”

            “Mom, can’t you see? Cammie’s gets new shoes a lot more than I do. She gets pretty pink Barbie glasses. And if she isn’t going to the dentist, she is going to the doctor about one thing or another. I want new shoes and glasses. I want you to love me as much as Cammie.”

            “Jenny, do you think I love Cammie more than you?”

            “Yes!”

            “I don’t, but Cammie has special needs. Your shoes are perfectly fine. They don’t have holes in them. You can see to do your homework without glasses but Cammie can’t. You don’t have toothaches, but she does. What am I supposed to do?”

            Tears spilled down Jenny’s face. “You’re supposed to take care of her, like you do.”

            “But how can I make you feel better? I don’t want you to feel left out.”

            “Well, for one thing you could ask me how I did in the spelling bee. Don’t you remember how hard we worked last night?”

            “Oh Jenny, yes. I remember and I’m sorry. Please forgive me? I’ve been way too busy but I didn’t mean to forget you.”    

            Falling into Mom’s arms, Jenny cried big sobs. Comforted, she said, “I forgive you, Mom. I don’t want to be a problem. I just want to tell you I won the spelling bee.”

            Brushing her daughter’s hair out of her face, Mom said, “I am so proud of you, Jenny. You are my princess and I love you more than I can say.”

            “Thank you, Mom. I’m sorry for being jealous.”

            “You’re forgiven, Jenny.  Remember people, even I, will let you down from time to time, but God will never let you down. He loves you more than you can imagine and promises to be with you always. When you feel jealous, you can tell him just as you told me. He understands and can help you feel satisfied with what you have.”

            “Then that’s what I want to do.”

            “Would you like to start now?”

            Jenny bowed her head. “Lord Jesus, I’m sorry for being jealous. Help me to feel satisfied instead. Amen.”

            Mom smiled and held Jenny close.

            “I love you, Mom.”

* * * * * * * * *

Have you ever thought that your parents loved your sister or brother more than you? I have. Did you think your mom and dad had reason because your brother or sister had special needs? Mine did. How did you handle it? I was jealous, but I didn't have to be. I could have trusted God. He loves us more than our parents ever could, and He will always be with us. He is a whisper away. Just say His name and you will know He is near.

           

           

           

                       

           

A Real Treasure

What would you do if you found a real treasure, something you really want on an Easter egg hunt? Would you try to get it into your basket or bag? Would you bury it and come back when no one is looking to get it?

The Bible talks about a man who found a treasure in a field. He valued it so much that he buried it. Then he purchased the field and claimed the treasure.

Did you know that you are God's treasure? He found such great value in you that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to love on you. One time Jesus was in a big crowd and parents brought their children on their birthdays to Him for a blessing. The disciples thought He wouldn't have time for the kids and began to ask them to leave. This disappointed Jesus and He said, "Let the children come to me and do not stop them." He took the little ones in His arms and blessed them. Imagine looking up into Jesus' face and seeing His eyes sparkle and the smile on His face that goes from ear to ear.

This is the hope of children who love Jesus. Only one thing will come between you and Him. It's the wrong things you do, things Jesus said we shouldn't do. But if we are sorry and willing to change and live our lives for Him, He will forgive us and let us live with Him forever. This is the real meaning of Easter.

Remember God loves you and wants to spend eternity with you. I hope you will give Him your heart today. I am praying for you.

Lord Jesus, watch over the one reading this post. Let him or her experience your amazing love so they will always want to be with you. Amen.

A Dog Named Tippy

            There was a farmer had a dog,

            And Tippy was his name-o.

            T-I-P-P-Y, T-I-P-P-Y, T-I-P-P-Y

            And Tippy was his name-o.

            Samuel sang this song about his dog in the morning and at noon and at night time too. He named his dog Tippy because he had a white tip at the end of his big brown tail.

Tippy’s tail told Samuel if he was happy or sad. Swoosh, swoosh, it swept the floor. Sometimes it pounded on the door or the furniture.

Tippy did not like thunder. He tucked his tail underneath himself and hid under Samuel’s legs. He wouldn’t come out until the storm passed.

Samuel fed Tippy every morning before he went to school and played with him in the afternoon when he got home. Tippy loved fetching balls and sticks and Frisbees. He loved doing tricks Samuel taught him. He rolled over or played dead when Samuel gave the command. He even shook hands with Samuel’s friends. Tippy loved to please Samuel.

One day Tippy wasn’t at the door after school. Samuel looked in his room but Tippy wasn’t there. He looked in the garage, but Tippy wasn’t there. Samuel looked in the back yard but Tippy wasn’t there either. Samuel saw a big pile of dirt by the fence. His heart pounded. Tippy must have dug a hole under the fence and ran away. But why?

Samuel thought and thought. Maybe Tippy chased a cat. Samuel saw him chase cats over the flowers and under the bushes. But he was always home. Tippy came to Samuel when he called him.

“I wish I was home today,” Samuel told his Dad.

“I wish you were too,” Dad said. “Let’s look for him.”

Dad and Samuel looked up and down the street until after dark. They called, “Tippy! Tippy!” but Tippy didn’t come.

Several days passed but Tippy didn’t come home. “It’s like Tippy died,” Samuel told his Dad.

“I know,” Dad said. “I’ll look at the shelters again tomorrow.” Dad went from one animal shelter to another. He walked up and down the aisles looking in every pen, but he didn’t find Tippy.

When Samuel got home from school he ran into Dad’s office, but Dad just shook his head. A tear trickled down Samuel’s cheek. “I guess Tippy is not coming home.”

“I’m sorry, Samuel.”

“Dad, do you think we’ll see Tippy in Heaven?”

“I think that's a great possibility,” Dad said. “God made animals before He made man. They were part of His original plan and He kept them through the flood of Noah’s time.”

Samuel smiled.

“There was a farmer had a dog and

Tippy was his name-o.

T-I-P-P-Y, T-I-P-P-Y, T-I-P-P-Y, and

Tippy was his name-o.

           

           

Emily Goes Camping

            Emily’s mom went on a long business trip, but before she left she signed Emily up for camp, her very fist campout. It seemed like it would be okay until she got there.

            “A-a-a-h!” she screamed, jumping around flicking off the biggest, ugliest grasshopper she ever saw.

            “What’s the matter?” Morgan laughed. “Haven’t you ever been camping before?”

            “I wish my mom never signed me up for this. I’d rather be home.”

            “Yeah I bet. Home by the pool, right?”

            Morgan, Emily’s tomboy friend, was right. She loved her princess lifestyle.

            “Hey, Emily! What’s that in your hair?” squealed Morgan. “Looks like a spider!”

            “A-a-a-h! I hate spiders and grasshoppers!” cried Emily.

            “I wish David could see you."

            “Morgan, stop it!”

            “Okay, okay. Let’s keep hiking up this trail.”

            The bushes got thicker and the trail got thinner.

            “What’s that sound?” asked Emily.

            “What sound?”

            “That buzzy-chirpy sound. Is it a cricket or a June bug?”

            “For heaven’s sake, Emily. It’s just a little cricket.”

            “I can’t stand the thought of those six icky, sticky feet on me. I can’t stand that annoying, screeching sound. I hate grasshoppers, spiders and crickets!”

            “Emily, would you lighten up? Let’s go down by the creek. Maybe you’ll like it better down there.”

            “I don’t think so. I wish I were home.”

            “Yeah, by pool?

            Emily rolled her eyes at Morgan. “Yeah, by the nice, clean pool.”

            The two walked down by the cool, clear, rushing water.

            “Emily, look!”

            “At what?”

            “This cute little frog!”

            “A-a-a-h!” Emily screamed. “Get those slimy, slippery feet off of me! I hate grasshoppers, spiders, crickets and frogs!”

            Emily wondered why Morgan enjoyed being mean and making fun of her.

            “Can we go back to camp now?” she pleaded. “I don’t mean to spoil all your fun.”

            “Okay, Okay.”

On the way back to camp it seemed like the path was narrower and closed in by bushes and trees. It seemed like there were more twists and turns. Suddenly Emily lost sight of Morgan.

“Morgan! Morgan! Wait for me.”

“I’m down here,” cried Morgan.

Emily looked to the right and to the left but she did not see Morgan.

“Over here!” Morgan whimpered.

Emily looked down to the right side of the path but she still couldn’t see Morgan.

“Here I am!”

“What are you doing in the bushes?”

“I fell and I can’t get up,” Morgan sobbed.

“Why?”

“My ankle hurts really bad. I must have sprained it.”
"I hope you didn't break it." Emily called the camp leader Miss Adams for help on her walky-talky she checked out before leaving group.

“Help is on the way, Morgan.”

Then Emily did something amazing. She got down on the ground, slid under the bushes and lay down next to Morgan. Putting her arms around Morgan she said, “Don’t cry.”

“Emily, what are you doing? I thought you were afraid of grasshoppers, spiders, crickets and frogs.”

“I am, but I would be more scared if I were alone and hurting.”

“You know, you’re not such a bad camper after all,” and then she whispered, "Thank you, Emily."