my favorite author has to be Max Lucado. he was actually my grandmother's favorite too and this is evident in the library of his writings that she left behind. each time i read one of his books i decide it was the best one yet...i don't even read them in order...sometimes its his most recent and other times its one of his earliest publications. either way...they always touch me...they have since i started reading his work back in middle school/high school.
the one i am currently reading was my nanny's most favorite of all, "and the angels were silent". its about the final week of Jesus. i have picked it up many times and put it down just the same. not sure why really...but about 3 years later i am most determined to finish it.
my reading this morning was especially touching to my soul. i never gave much thought to the man with the donkey. it was part of the story i read right through...isn't the bible just like that...i think we will be boggled beyond comprehension when we get to heaven and get to ask some questions and hear the person next to us ask questions about the same story that never even crossed our minds...what a sweet day that will be!
getting back to my thought... the man with the donkey...
"if anyone ask you why you are taking the donkeys, say that the Master needs them, and he will send them at once." matthew 21: 3
his story so great that it is told in multiple books of the bible and yet so simple that many never think long on his part of the story...i never did. Jesus told him to bring the donkey...and.he.did. he brought the donkeys to Jesus allowing Him to ride into jerusalem. the donkey carried Jesus on His journey... what "donkeys" do i have that could carry Jesus into another place...another country, another city, another family, another heart? i think this will be a new question i ask myself everyday..."what donkey do i have to give today? " maybe its groceries, a check, time, words of encouragement, even a slower pace at the grocery store. i'm sure we can be certain that the man with the donkey felt this was a small request. i'm sure he didn't know the complexity of this donkey's task...i mean did he know this donkey would carry Jesus? but then again, its not our job to know...its just our job to go! its not our job to understand what our donkey is used for...but to be willing to take it.
there are times when God pulls at my heart strings and asks for my donkey...sometimes i don't understand so i don't listen, at times i don't know if its really God requesting my donkey, and too few times i follow through, but don't see how that must have helped anyone or anything...but again, i bet...the man with the donkey had no idea of the usefulness both spiritually and physically that donkey would be. ...i never noticed his act, but i do now. bet he didn't know that thousands of years later we'd be admiring his small act and seeing how God used it for good...to carry His Son further on his journey.
28 April 2009
the donkey...
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6 comments:
I'm in awe of this. Max Lucado was my mom's very favorite author as well. She read all of his books and would even give them as gifts and write a sweet message on the first page.
This is lovely. Thank you for sharing :)
Dear Ashley,
What a wonderful, thought-provoking post. I truly enjoy your blog (I've been a lurker for a while), and admire your sweet spirit and creative zest. I also am married to an MD (for 25 years now!) and enjoy seeing you travel the same journey of training, moves and motherhood (I have 4 sons)! May God continue to guide your footsteps.
may you have a blessed day...as you have blessed us...may we be more willing to give willingly....
Wow, I never thought of that verse in that context. Such truthness and reality to it. I haven't read anything of Max Lucado in a long time so I'll just have to pick up where I left off: "It's Not About Me."
Do you really not have a favorite?
I can't wait when in a year or two I'll be able to read a stack of Max Lucado children books that I got at my baby shower when carrying Charlie.
P.S. Thanks for your latest comment. It left a HUGE smile on my face. So good to know someone else is going through the same journey as me right now :-).
kelly : sounds just like my grandfather...his favorite thing to give is books...he always forgets the sweet message in the front though saying we might want to return them! ;)
julia : welcome!!! thank you so much for your sweet comments and for taking the time to say hello! i am sure you could give me so many pointers...on motherhood, hospital widow, and moving through the ranks! so many congrats on 25 years as one!!! i do hope you say hello more often so lovely to have you!
{sorry i left you a novel here...it didn't leave your email address on your comment link}
mom : so blessed!!
dani : i haven't read that one...i will have to add it to my list of "next reads"! i don't have a favorite, but really really like "He Chose the Nails"...EXCELLENT!! oh i can't wait to start collecting his children's books...must start now!
{thinking and praying for your monday!!!}
Girl, you look awesome! I can't even imagine the style this baby is going to grow up with, and most importantly a love for Jesus. You are so blessed...what a sweet family of THREE!
:)
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