FROM THE EDGE OF THE WOODS

     He limped from the forest through the thin brush that sprung up behind the carpenters shed.  Sounds from the shop told Sammy that Joseph and his son were already busy at work, repairing a plow for a friend.  The small grey creature crept ever so lightly to the edge of the opening and waited.  Jesus, dragging a heavy wooden barrel, came around the corner of the shop, moving toward the edge of the yard where he emptied the previous days’ sawdust and wooden scraps.  As soon as Sammy saw Jesus, he hobbled across the open space to this special child of whom all the creatures talked.

     Jesus, seeing the small animals’ crippled approach, knelt down to greet his little furry visitor.  “What can I do for you?” Jesus asked. “Child of God, if it is your will, I would like to climb trees and live high above the earth in the leafy world.  With my broken leg I am sentenced to the floor of the forest. Daily I scamper about, avoiding the dogs and cats that would have me for their next meal.”

     Jesus reached out and lifted the little squirrel up, looked directly into his face with its sparkling dark eyes, “Little one, your faith has made you whole.  Go and climb trees with the rest of your friends but don’t tell them about me.  Tell them about my Father, the Creator, who created you and the trees you climb.  I, too, will one day be crippled and my Heavenly Father will make me whole just as He has you.  Go and be all He created you to be!”