Cadbury the Chabbit Finding "Happily Ever After"

Cadbury the Chabbit.

When I heard this precious story from dear friends with a working farm, and thus lots of critters, I just had to share it with you.  It is the story of a handsome lop-eared bunny, who lived with other bunnies. His happily ever after was redirected when the bunny population increased, and this bunny daddy was moved to a new home.

The little guy had no choice about where he landed but, was given the dream of a rodent lifetime opportunity to live on a farm. At this abode, there were no female rabbits, but plenty of fellow rodents – Guinea Pigs - with whom he could live out his little rodent life.  They were properly introduced with the hope that they would get along nicely and enjoy a new happily ever after.  That was plan A.  You know what they say about the best laid plans of rodents and men.

                                

While he didn’t have a choice about living on the farm, he did have a choice of friends. The only problem was, they didn’t accept him or he didn’t accept them. No one is telling. Either way, he just didn’t fit in.

This new kid on the farm looked around and found some friends with more accepting hearts, unlikely friends, but good friends nonetheless. Mr. Bunny decided to friend the chickens. Some think it was because of their elegant two-story dwelling You might even argue that it speaks to the intelligence (or lack thereof) of the chickens or maybe the audacity of a rabbit but, I believe it was the friendship. Acceptance is a good building block for a peaceful life so, it seems he chose wisely. His choice earned him the moniker Cadbury the Chabbit (chicken+rabbit).

It works that way with us, too. People tend to remember their school days with either good or bad memories based upon their friendships and acceptance into social groups. Families have a similar dynamic with some feeling less than the favorite or somehow rejected. It seems that people gravitate toward other people who accept them. It is a matter of comfort and peace with acceptance being the common glue.

God knows this. After all, He created us and lived in flesh for a time. He understands rejection. He wants us to feel accepted and loved, even when we feel we don’t deserve it. Actually, we don’t deserve it, but He loves us anyway! Like a lop-eared bunny and the hen house, we have no right to enter into His holy and righteous presence yet, He invites us to do just that. His engraved invitation was inscribed on His flesh when He paid our entrance fee. By our sinful nature, we only deserve a sinner’s reward, yet He offers by His grace and through our faith – something entirely different. Heaven.

He calls us His sons and daughters by adoption. Joint heirs with His Son Jesus. Heirs to all the universe He created.(Romans 8:14-17 http://blb.sc/EzbX) Heirs to eternal life with Him in a place so marvelous we cannot even begin to imagine. A place where there is no night, no tears, and no conflict – ever. A true family reunion with a happily ever after. Cadbury has the right idea. It isn’t genes that make us family, it is love and acceptance.    

Most gracious Father in Heaven, we are amazed at the love You have shown us. That while we were still so filthy with sin, You invited us to come into Your holy and righteous dwelling place. We understand how undeserving we are and give You our praise and thanksgiving for Your mercy that allows us to enter anyway. Thank You for paying the unimaginable cost for our entrance. Help us to walk in a manner worthy of what You have done for us.

 I look forward to meeting my brothers and sisters at our Father’s house. Will you be there?

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For more stories of faith and the hand of God read 
Oscar the Extraordinary Hummingbird

Oscar the Extraordinary Hummingbird 

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Other Tales From Life In My Father's World

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Dirty Look From a Lizard or Pray Before You Spray

Lizard, "Really lady"?

No doubt about it, fall is arriving in the South.  The maple leaves are gloriously golden, and their winter guests, the Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers, have arrived. 

The ladybugs are looking for a warm spot for winter.  Frogs are moving slowly due to the chill in the air.  Granted, “chilly” here means daytime highs in the 60’s, instead of the 90’s and I realize that is comfortable for much of the world, but in Alabama, that’s chilly. 

Knowing that our first frost of the season is around the corner, and it will soon be time to take our potted lemon tree into the sunroom for the winter.  That also means it is “debugging” time for any and all things wanting to come along for the ride into our home.    Armed with a squirt (Southern for “spray”) bottle of Malathion, I doused the tree and immediately little critters begin to scatter.  Before you send the hate mail, I am always careful to avoid the blossoms and any honey bees.  The yellow jackets were particularly offended and let me know with their best “intimidating and aggressive stare-down” they meant business.  Note: know your enemy before you fire.  I reminded them I was going to be hard to catch, and still had ammunition.   It was a lively, albeit short dance, and as usual, my husband found it humorous (from a distance I might add).  Other small beetle-like inhabitants coughed their last and fell to the ground.   They looked similar to ladybugs, but were dark brown and somewhat flatter than their red-backed counterparts.  Well, at least I got ’em. 

Day 2 – I got them, not their brethren and sisteren.  They are back.  This time I spotted them all around the blossom clusters, and under leaves.  Sneaky little rascals they are.  Another dose of “medicine” for them and many more surrendered and fell to the ground.  My husband noticed some of their cousins had made a home on the Angel Trumpet near the garage, so off this soldier goes, armed for another battle, and expectant of victory.   Note: know where your friends are before you fire.   As I was spraying, a little green lizard scooted forward along a leaf, then turned back a gave me a raised eyebrow  for spraying his tail.   In all honesty, his tail didn’t even look like a bug.  I just got carried away I guess.  That’s the best defense I could come up with on short notice.  So, I apologized, and warned him avoid any “wet” bugs on the lunch menu.

During my apology speech, it occurred to me that I tend to react quickly, sometimes even before I pray.  Shame on me.  God had already seen the homesteaders, and taken care of the situation by placing a hungry lizard on the job.  If I had taken the time to look, I might have seen him (although his camouflage is extraordinarily good).  But, as usual, I was in a hurry to “fix” the problem in my own power.  Note: seek out and/or know God’s plan before executing your own.  It is a hard lesson.  Maybe you have experienced it too.  Rushing in and acting before seeking His will never ends well.   Remember in the garden of Gethsemane, when Peter took it upon himself to take action against the soldiers who came to arrest Jesus?  An ear replacement later, he realized Jesus (God in flesh) had it under control.  Remember Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar?  God had it under control with a perfectly good, yet different plan, and yet they didn’t wait for it.  Remember the wandering in the wilderness for forty years, and promise of a land flowing with milk and honey?  When it was time to act according to His plan, they were afraid.  Maybe you and I also need to take time to let Him work, instead of presuming He needs us to act.  When He tells you it is time to act, act.  When He says “wait” and that He has it under control, let Him have it.  Note: He has a plan and it is under control.

Father, we thank You for Your glorious creation.  Thank You for the beauty all around us.  We trust Your great and mighty hand to deliver us, avenge us, and hold us securely today and every day of our lives.   Help us to seek Your will before we act, and guide our every action to glorify You today and every day hereafter.

How have you seen the hand of God at work today?  Leave us a note, we would love to hear your story!

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