Hello Faith Pals,
I know some of you read yesterday’s sermon. Here is Rob Weir’s haiku contribution:
Well Rob, that would have saved me many words in the sermon! Beautifully and succinctly put!
I have been receiving some stunning haiku from another member of the congregation, but I have not sought that person’s permission yet re sharing them.
Have you been enjoying the bursts of autumn? I have. Love the colours, even enjoy the slight chill in the morning. Here is my not very profound contribution-a response to today’s cold morning:
Floorboards shock my toes.
Winter chill plays ‘hide and seek’.
Soon it will be ‘he’.
Yes, it will soon be winter. Feels as though we have been hibernating BEFORE winter, doesn’t it?
I often share a useless fact at the beginning of a service. We are WAY BEHIND so here are a few:
- The sound a camel makes is called nuzzling.
- The size of your foot is approximately the size of your forearm (careful if you test this one!)
- ‘Papparazzi’ means buzzing mosquitos in Italian.
- Rats can tell the difference between two human languages (not sure which two-and how do they test it?)
Here is a story I found on-line that made me stop and think (and not just because it was about dogs!):
‘A shop owner placed a sign above his door that said: “Puppies For Sale.”
Signs like this always have a way of attracting young children, and to no surprise, a boy saw the sign and approached the owner;
“How much are you going to sell the puppies for?” he asked.The store owner replied, “Anywhere from $30 to $50.”
The little boy pulled out some change from his pocket. “I have $2.37,” he said. “Can I please look at them?”
The shop owner smiled and whistled. Out of the kennel came Lady, who ran down the aisle of his shop followed by five teeny, tiny balls of fur.
One puppy was lagging considerably behind. Immediately the little boy singled out the lagging, limping puppy and said, “What’s wrong with that little dog?”
The shop owner explained that the veterinarian had examined the little puppy and had discovered it didn’t have a hip socket. It would always limp. It would always be lame.
The little boy became excited. “That is the puppy that I want to buy.”
The shop owner said, “No, you don’t want to buy that little dog. If you really want him, I’ll just give him to you.”
The little boy got quite upset. He looked straight into the store owner’s eyes, pointing his finger, and said;
“I don’t want you to give him to me. That little dog is worth every bit as much as all the other dogs and I’ll pay full price. In fact, I’ll give you $2.37 now, and 50 cents a month until I have him paid for.”
The shop owner countered, “You really don’t want to buy this little dog. He is never going to be able to run and jump and play with you like the other puppies.”
To his surprise, the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted, crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace. He looked up at the shop owner and softly replied, “Well, I don’t run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone who understands!”
Well said! It reminded me a little of when we adopted our blind dog Harry, from The Lost Dog’s Home. Because he was deemed to be a senior (over 7 years) he was very cheap. I paid full price, telling the staff that seniors are as precious as the young.
‘Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your judgements are like the great deep;
you save humans and animals alike, O Lord.
How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.'(Psalm 36: 5-&)
Blessings and love
Barbara
