Skip to main content

Racoon


We have a pop up camper and enjoy traveling around staying at different campsites. A few weeks ago we were camping and saw a family of racoons in the distance. The mother was walking through the woods with her kids following closely. Cute is probably the best term to describe how they looked.

Of course, we know that those mischievous cute critters have a way of finding food at your campsite. To prevent this we have a really good cooler that we use to stow our food away in. As a precaution, we even put a padlock on it at night. We have another cooler that we put drinks in. It is flimsy, to be frank. It's only job is keep drinks cool for the hot Florida days.

One night on this trip, we errantly placed the grapes in the drink cooler. I woke up that night to the sight of my wife standing at the camper door saying, "Shoo buddy, you got to go buddy" in the softest most gentlest voice. Would you believe they listened? I would be the one who thought you'd have to make a loud noise, bang pots and pans together, and scream at the top of my voice to scare them away. They needed to know what they were doing is wrong.

When we face someone who is openly sinning how many times do the people of the church want to act the same way. We may turn to gossip or carry the heavy hammer of truth and disregard the balance with grace? Just maybe we are to be more peaceful, like Julie was with those cute thieves at our campsite. 

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."- Colossians 3:15 NIV.

He paid the price and calls our hearts to peace. That peace must transcend the actions of others. After all didn't He die for all? Aren't we supposed to be unified in this truth?

Maybe Julie's peaceful, kind approach to the racoons worked because they knew it was coming from a thankful heart. Peace overcame their mischief.

Be blessed and be a blessing,
Matt

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Anchor House: Week 6 Buried Treasure

When I started at Anchor House I committed to write at least one blog per week. Writing is something I enjoy and a way I get to interact with God. I can recall wanting to write about Anchor House in the days before I started, but my knowledge was limited..  To be honest I felt like I knew three things before I joined Anchor House. First,  Anchor House was a mission at Port Manatee (the Seaport, not the jail) Second, I knew it was a mission that my church, Westside Christian Church, supported with our Show Love funds.  Third, I knew God was calling me to serve Him there. However, what happened at Anchor House day to day was something of a mystery to me.   After being here for a few weeks I have learned quite a bit. I know where to look to find out when ships are coming in or departing.  I have learned that I am just tall enough to hit my head where most seafarers don’t. I have learned that flexibility is the key to serving at a seaport. One of th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Anchor House Week 4: Strawberries

This week I had the chance to come through on a promise I made to one of our regular ships. When they were in port last we were hanging out in the break room with the crew. Somehow we got on the subject of strawberries, Florida strawberries of course. I made the bold statement that Florida strawberries were the best. Trish followed up by clarifying that Plant City’s are the best. She had a point that is hard to argue with. In the discussion, I told the seafarer that I would bring them some strawberries next time they were at Port Manatee. Sure enough the next time they were in port I ran to Detweillers, first thing in the morning, and picked up a half of a flat of some of the most beautiful strawberries you've ever seen. They were big, red, perfectly placed in the container in a neat and orderly fashion. They looked magnificent. As we approached the ship, the seafarer whom I had made the promise to waved and said, “You remembered!” After we boarded the ship, we t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Welcome Children

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to Him, and placed the child among them. And He said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." - Matthew 18:1‭-‬5 NIV This past Sunday was simply life-giving at Westside Christian Church. The energy and excitement were palatable. My daughter couldn't wait to get to church. She was excited to worship with her friends and have fun together afterwards.   With the VBS takeover, the church was packed! Sure there were a few seats open, but there was a line of people standing in the back. It is safe to say it was "standing room only". Fitting with the story of Zacchaeus that Pastor Russ shared.   Jes...
Post a Comment
Read more