A Disturbing Story Becomes a Favourite

 You've got to picture the background to understand what this woman was up against.  The Jews were God's Chosen People and they knew it. Most likely the neighbouring 'gentiles' were quite aware of this opinion also. But mother-love surpasses even racial barriers if the mother is desperate enough. This mom sure was. This Canaanite Woman knew Jesus was a teacher and a healer, she probably assumed He was in their country to preach to the Jews living among them but she didn't care. Her daughter was sick, really sick because of a demon that was causing terrific suffering. Jesus could deliver her, she knew it, so she pleads with Him to do so. www.marilynshistoricalnovels.com
Now here comes the puzzling part, not only did Jesus not do it, but He ignored her and later implied that she was a dog. (Probably a common racial slur at the time.)

Why did she persist? Because she saw something the disciples didn't. She saw the love in His eyes, and He saw her faith. He saw a tremendous opportunity to teach those hoity-toity Jews that God loved everyone. So why did she run off to beg the disciples to do something? Maybe she figured Jesus thought it would jeopardize His position if He healed her daughter so out of respect tried to give Him a break. But they weren't helpful so Jesus honoured her request--and her faith. I love it!

Mother

Drifting

” Do you want to go for a walk after supper,” I asked my husband while serving the evening meal. Secretly I sort of hoped he would say no, because I was somewhat weary after a long day. We sort of half-discussed it, but after supper he was more interested in having a nap on the couch and I in kitchen clean up. After a while I did bring it up again, and we did go!

 Now, it might be debated if I took our golden retriever for a walk, or if he took us, but she sure wanted to move, and I soon got enthused also. Poor hubby, drawing near to retirement age was making his feet drag, and I decided to stop once in a while to let him catch up. Ahh, that fresh spring air sure smells terrific! I could just drink it in! When we got about half way to the corner the run off was much more impressive and the ditches were filled with melting snow. We live on a hill so, in case you haven’t noticed, water does have a tendency to run downhill. :D .Steve found a discarded bottle, and of course we made the typical comments about notes in bottles and where they end up. He tossed it in the water, and I soon got into the spirit of things and trotted off to find a nice arm-length limb to use as my boat. Too bad the grandchildren weren't with us. This was getting fun! Steve tossed various objects that shouldn't have been there in the first place, like a tin can and that bottle and watched them whirl and swirl into –or out of the main stream. I stuck with my branch and eagerly retrieved it each time it got caught in back water where I would snag it. What a couple of kids we were! But, you know what? We learned something that cool, spring evening. Strive to get into the mainstream of Christian living, or you'll be caught up in the weeds of, of, well you name it, but not where you ought to be. But on the other hand, it was intriguing how the water flow, like the Holy Spirit, seemed to try and nudge the objects back into the main flow. Meet you at the end of the stream of Life.
Written a year ago but still relevant. Although actually I think it was in March that we were having this kind of weather, not the End-Of-April!!

http://www.authorsden.com/marilynffriesen

It's Coming, It's Ready, It's Here!

We've been having a lot of fun preparing for bed and breakfast company. My seriously major project was making that hand embroidered quilt for our guest room.

Yes, that took a while. That, and sprucing things up with a paint brush.

Stephen had his own projects on the go. He's been enthused about giving hayrides in summer and sleigh rides in winter to whoever is interested. Fixing up an old antique tractor had been on his priority list awhile ago, and now he's got the hay wagon built. We tried it out the other day. The breeze was nippy, which was so refreshing as we rode along.

It was hilarious watching our daughter's part- pug though. Polly leaped right up onto that wagon as if it was the most normal thing to do, and excitedly looked around. It didn't take long however until she took a flying leap off. I felt bad when that little gal rolled in the gravel, but in an instant Polly was up and running trying to keep pace with us. After she lagged further and further behind I asked Stephen if we could pick her up so she could rest, so we did.

We stopped at a couple different ditches to try out our grandson's birthday gift. He had received this 'real cool' remote controlled boat and the water filled ditches were the ideal places to take it for a spin

Oh the way back we let Polly do her own thing which was quite obviously running along beside us. That little rascal was too petered out to keep up, but boy did she try!

We can't offer any sleigh rides right now, 'cuz the snow is sure going now in spite of the extra long winter, but yes, YES! That good, old hay wagon is done. (Excuse me if it looks like I spelled wagon wrong. I'm just not used to the way you Americans spell it!)
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/author.asp?AuthorID=181889.