A Hugs and Tugs Parable
"Always
let Him lead you
and He will
clear the road
for you to
follow."
Philippians 3:6 CEV
The Wood Carver's Secret
by Kathie Iselin © fromPapaGod.com
by Kathie Iselin © fromPapaGod.com
Long ago in days of old, there lived a humble carpenter named Mathias, and his wife Marisa. They resided in a quaint mountain village and were anxiously awaiting the birth of their first child.
Every morning upon rising Mathias would greet the Lord by saying:
"Good morning God I give you all the glory, how may I best serve you?"
On this particular morning, Mathias had planned on going up into the hills in search of a large oak.
He had been commissioned by a wealthy merchant to create a hand carved bed. During his prayer time, he felt certain God was prompting him to bring his wife along.
When Mathias entered the kitchen he found her preparing their breakfast. She greeted him with a kiss and went on to say; "I suppose you'll be wanting to go up into the hills today. So I've also packed a lunch for you. And one for me as well. So don't you be thinking you'll be leaving me behind, on such a fine summer morning." "I wouldn't dream of it." He said with a twinkle in his eye.
"Despite the fact I'm as big as a house, I so want to go up into the mountains and pick wildflowers." Marisa, said.
"Oh I wouldn't say you're as big as a house, maybe a small barn." Mathias teased. "A barn you say?" She replied with laughter in her voice. "And fortunate you are that I have a sense of humor." She laughed again.
"Ah wife how I love you and your rounded belly, for it holds what I know will be a fine, strong, son!" Mathias said lovingly.
"Yes indeed, and what a blessing it is. For it compensates me, for your empty head when it comes to compliments!"
Their laughter continued on into the day, as they traveled up the mountainside together. Stopping for a picnic lunch they marveled at the beautiful countryside.
When they were finished eating, Marisa began gathering wildflowers, while Mathias went in search of the perfect piece of oak.
Just as she'd finished filling one basket, and headed back to the wagon for another, her eyes were drawn to smoke rising from below.
She screamed for Mathias, who came running and immediately saw why she had cried out.
For unfolding before their horror filled eyes, they witnessed the destruction of their village. Far below, by a band of marauding soldiers.
While the height of their location brought them protection, it also rendered them helpless in offering any aid.
However; there was little either of them could have done, especially Marisa, so far along in her pregnancy. Frightened, Marisa buried her face in husband's chest, as he held her tightly in his arms, thanking God for sparing their lives. How glad he was for being obedient and taking his wife with him that morning.
Wanting to make sure it was safe to approach the village; Mathias remained on the mountain until sunrise. Concerned for his wife and unborn child's welfare, he convinced Marisa to remain behind.
So it was with a heavy heart, that he returned to bury the dead and search for survivors.
As he entered the town total devastation met his eyes, for the entire village had been burned to the ground. Sadly; no one had survived. When he got to his own home, it too was a pile of ashes.
Yet; in God's Grace, his workshop had not been consumed by the flames. For the work area had been built into the hillside.
Grateful that he could recover his tools, he once again praised God for His Mercy. Then offering up a prayer for all the lost, he began the return journey up the mountain.
After the initial shock had passed, he soon realized he and his pregnant wife were homeless. Yet; he found comfort in knowing, that God continued to remain near. It was also obvious he had spared their lives for a reason.
As Mathias neared the sheltered area, where Marisa was, his eyes spoke what his heart couldn't. "Come let us pray together," she said. So with heavy hearts they knelt down together and began praying...
Every morning upon rising Mathias would greet the Lord by saying:
"Good morning God I give you all the glory, how may I best serve you?"
On this particular morning, Mathias had planned on going up into the hills in search of a large oak.
He had been commissioned by a wealthy merchant to create a hand carved bed. During his prayer time, he felt certain God was prompting him to bring his wife along.
When Mathias entered the kitchen he found her preparing their breakfast. She greeted him with a kiss and went on to say; "I suppose you'll be wanting to go up into the hills today. So I've also packed a lunch for you. And one for me as well. So don't you be thinking you'll be leaving me behind, on such a fine summer morning." "I wouldn't dream of it." He said with a twinkle in his eye.
"Despite the fact I'm as big as a house, I so want to go up into the mountains and pick wildflowers." Marisa, said.
"Oh I wouldn't say you're as big as a house, maybe a small barn." Mathias teased. "A barn you say?" She replied with laughter in her voice. "And fortunate you are that I have a sense of humor." She laughed again.
"Ah wife how I love you and your rounded belly, for it holds what I know will be a fine, strong, son!" Mathias said lovingly.
"Yes indeed, and what a blessing it is. For it compensates me, for your empty head when it comes to compliments!"
Their laughter continued on into the day, as they traveled up the mountainside together. Stopping for a picnic lunch they marveled at the beautiful countryside.
When they were finished eating, Marisa began gathering wildflowers, while Mathias went in search of the perfect piece of oak.
Just as she'd finished filling one basket, and headed back to the wagon for another, her eyes were drawn to smoke rising from below.
She screamed for Mathias, who came running and immediately saw why she had cried out.
For unfolding before their horror filled eyes, they witnessed the destruction of their village. Far below, by a band of marauding soldiers.
While the height of their location brought them protection, it also rendered them helpless in offering any aid.
However; there was little either of them could have done, especially Marisa, so far along in her pregnancy. Frightened, Marisa buried her face in husband's chest, as he held her tightly in his arms, thanking God for sparing their lives. How glad he was for being obedient and taking his wife with him that morning.
Wanting to make sure it was safe to approach the village; Mathias remained on the mountain until sunrise. Concerned for his wife and unborn child's welfare, he convinced Marisa to remain behind.
So it was with a heavy heart, that he returned to bury the dead and search for survivors.
As he entered the town total devastation met his eyes, for the entire village had been burned to the ground. Sadly; no one had survived. When he got to his own home, it too was a pile of ashes.
Yet; in God's Grace, his workshop had not been consumed by the flames. For the work area had been built into the hillside.
Grateful that he could recover his tools, he once again praised God for His Mercy. Then offering up a prayer for all the lost, he began the return journey up the mountain.
After the initial shock had passed, he soon realized he and his pregnant wife were homeless. Yet; he found comfort in knowing, that God continued to remain near. It was also obvious he had spared their lives for a reason.
As Mathias neared the sheltered area, where Marisa was, his eyes spoke what his heart couldn't. "Come let us pray together," she said. So with heavy hearts they knelt down together and began praying...
Please help us give this burden to You...
Allowing Your Love to see us through.
Fortify us with courage to let this all go...
Giving guidance and a lighted path to follow.
Cover us now with Your protective Wings...
Granting us the shelter Your shadow brings.
And continue to bless us with Your Grace...
So we can conquer the things we now face.
Hold us close so we have nothing to fear...
For we're always safe whenever You're near.
Encourage us with Your Wisdom and Love...
As we raise our eyes to the One above.
Continue to keep us safe both night and day...
Watch over us now as You reveal the way.
On that lonely mountain top God drew near and said;
"Fear not... for you are mine."
Isaiah 43:1 NIV
Allowing Your Love to see us through.
Fortify us with courage to let this all go...
Giving guidance and a lighted path to follow.
Cover us now with Your protective Wings...
Granting us the shelter Your shadow brings.
And continue to bless us with Your Grace...
So we can conquer the things we now face.
Hold us close so we have nothing to fear...
For we're always safe whenever You're near.
Encourage us with Your Wisdom and Love...
As we raise our eyes to the One above.
Continue to keep us safe both night and day...
Watch over us now as You reveal the way.
On that lonely mountain top God drew near and said;
"Fear not... for you are mine."
Isaiah 43:1 NIV
God was faithful in watching over Mathias and Marisa, blessing them with a new place to live and a healthy baby boy; Obadiah.
While the journey had been long and not always an easy one, they had both survived and were now happily residing in another village.
When they first arrived, it had been a group of kindly shepherds that had warmly received them. Offering their help and later hiring Mathias, to build livestock pens and feeding mangers. Eventually, Mathias would become a well known wood carver.
One day; a wealthy merchant from a distant town commissioned Mathias, to carve a large hope chest, as a wedding gift for his future bride.
He paid him handsomely, for the work to be done and extra if he would deliver it. So Mathias agreed, having also been hired to build a new manager, for an innkeeper in that same town.
It was late when he entered the city, so he quickly began unloading the chest. As he was getting into the wagon, he over heard a young couple being turned away from an inn across the street. Had he a room himself he would have offered it to them, for it was obvious the woman was heavy with child.
I'm off to deliver this manger to an inn just down the way, perhaps they have a room. The man's face brightened as they followed Mathias. However; the reply was the same. There just weren't any rooms available anywhere.
When the inn keeper noticed the woman's condition, he offered the next best thing, shelter in his stable.
As Mathias unloaded the feeding trough, he grabbed the sheepskin blanket his wife had tucked under his seat. Using the skin to line the manager, he then carried it into the stable.
"Perhaps if the babe is born tonight, you could lay him in this manger. It's sturdy and clean, I've carved it myself. And even lined it with a sheepskin for warmth." Mathias said.
"Thank you so much for your kindness. It is a fine piece of workmanship, and will make a perfect cradle for our baby." The young girl replied.
How proud he was that he put as much care into making his mangers, as he did furniture for the wealthy. For this one was fit for a king.
After that Mathias' reputation as a skilled carpenter grew and his name became known far and wide. While some of his pieces graced area palaces, he never forgot his humble beginnings. Still lending a hand to any shepherd, that needed a live stock pen or manger.
One day Roman soldiers entered the village, demanding Mathias fashion a crude cross. Large enough and strong enough, to hold the weight of a man. Fearing for the safety of his wife and son, Mathias quickly set to work.
Despite the short time he'd been given, he put forth his best effort and carefully began carving. Once again it was with a heavy heart he watched soldiers ride away.
Years later, Mathias and his wife still lived in the same village and house. One day they noticed a weary traveler sitting at the road side. They walked over and invited him to come in to rest and get something to eat and drink.
Upon entering the home the man was surprised at the finely crafted furniture. Then he recalled his host's name. "Are you Mathias the famed wood carver", he asked?
"You honor me sir." Mathias respectfully replied. "For I am but a humble servant of the Lord. It is He that has blessed me with a skilled and steady hand."
The merchant's eyes roamed the modest home as he admired Mathias' craftsmanship. "Forgive me for asking but I'm surprised at your meager surroundings. I would expect someone as talented and renowned as you, to be a wealthy man by now." The man said.
With a twinkle in his eye Mathias replied; "Material possessions are only one way of measuring ones wealth."
"I see the Lord has blessed you with wisdom as well." The man said, as he walked over to the mantle. Admiring two intricately carved miniatures, of a cradle and a cross.
Mathias explained: "A reminder of my greatest works." "Surely you jest," the merchant replied. "For in my travels I've been in palaces and have seen the fine pieces you have carved. Why there are kings all over the countryside, sitting on ornately carved thrones, that you were commissioned to make. Many set in jewels."
"That may be so." said Mathias. "But as for me and my wife, it was the making of a cradle and a cross, that were my greatest achievements."
The merchant thanked them for their hospitality and left with a puzzled look on his face.
As the old couple stood in the doorway watching him leave, Marisa said: "Foolish man, he probably thinks you've grown senile with age, for he doesn't know my husband's heart."
"No; sadly he can only see success from a worldly point of view, instead of from God's perspective." For if he did," Mathias said. "He would know it was not the piece I created but what they held."
"Ah yes," Marisa replied. "For while those elaborate thrones had held many a king, it was your cradle and cross, that held the greatest King of all!"
While the journey had been long and not always an easy one, they had both survived and were now happily residing in another village.
When they first arrived, it had been a group of kindly shepherds that had warmly received them. Offering their help and later hiring Mathias, to build livestock pens and feeding mangers. Eventually, Mathias would become a well known wood carver.
One day; a wealthy merchant from a distant town commissioned Mathias, to carve a large hope chest, as a wedding gift for his future bride.
He paid him handsomely, for the work to be done and extra if he would deliver it. So Mathias agreed, having also been hired to build a new manager, for an innkeeper in that same town.
It was late when he entered the city, so he quickly began unloading the chest. As he was getting into the wagon, he over heard a young couple being turned away from an inn across the street. Had he a room himself he would have offered it to them, for it was obvious the woman was heavy with child.
I'm off to deliver this manger to an inn just down the way, perhaps they have a room. The man's face brightened as they followed Mathias. However; the reply was the same. There just weren't any rooms available anywhere.
When the inn keeper noticed the woman's condition, he offered the next best thing, shelter in his stable.
As Mathias unloaded the feeding trough, he grabbed the sheepskin blanket his wife had tucked under his seat. Using the skin to line the manager, he then carried it into the stable.
"Perhaps if the babe is born tonight, you could lay him in this manger. It's sturdy and clean, I've carved it myself. And even lined it with a sheepskin for warmth." Mathias said.
"Thank you so much for your kindness. It is a fine piece of workmanship, and will make a perfect cradle for our baby." The young girl replied.
How proud he was that he put as much care into making his mangers, as he did furniture for the wealthy. For this one was fit for a king.
After that Mathias' reputation as a skilled carpenter grew and his name became known far and wide. While some of his pieces graced area palaces, he never forgot his humble beginnings. Still lending a hand to any shepherd, that needed a live stock pen or manger.
One day Roman soldiers entered the village, demanding Mathias fashion a crude cross. Large enough and strong enough, to hold the weight of a man. Fearing for the safety of his wife and son, Mathias quickly set to work.
Despite the short time he'd been given, he put forth his best effort and carefully began carving. Once again it was with a heavy heart he watched soldiers ride away.
Years later, Mathias and his wife still lived in the same village and house. One day they noticed a weary traveler sitting at the road side. They walked over and invited him to come in to rest and get something to eat and drink.
Upon entering the home the man was surprised at the finely crafted furniture. Then he recalled his host's name. "Are you Mathias the famed wood carver", he asked?
"You honor me sir." Mathias respectfully replied. "For I am but a humble servant of the Lord. It is He that has blessed me with a skilled and steady hand."
The merchant's eyes roamed the modest home as he admired Mathias' craftsmanship. "Forgive me for asking but I'm surprised at your meager surroundings. I would expect someone as talented and renowned as you, to be a wealthy man by now." The man said.
With a twinkle in his eye Mathias replied; "Material possessions are only one way of measuring ones wealth."
"I see the Lord has blessed you with wisdom as well." The man said, as he walked over to the mantle. Admiring two intricately carved miniatures, of a cradle and a cross.
Mathias explained: "A reminder of my greatest works." "Surely you jest," the merchant replied. "For in my travels I've been in palaces and have seen the fine pieces you have carved. Why there are kings all over the countryside, sitting on ornately carved thrones, that you were commissioned to make. Many set in jewels."
"That may be so." said Mathias. "But as for me and my wife, it was the making of a cradle and a cross, that were my greatest achievements."
The merchant thanked them for their hospitality and left with a puzzled look on his face.
As the old couple stood in the doorway watching him leave, Marisa said: "Foolish man, he probably thinks you've grown senile with age, for he doesn't know my husband's heart."
"No; sadly he can only see success from a worldly point of view, instead of from God's perspective." For if he did," Mathias said. "He would know it was not the piece I created but what they held."
"Ah yes," Marisa replied. "For while those elaborate thrones had held many a king, it was your cradle and cross, that held the greatest King of all!"
"Riches and honor come from You alone, and You are the Ruler
of all mankind; Your hand controls power and might, and it is
at Your discretion, that men are made great and given strength."
1Chronicles 29:12 TLB
Not the END
but the Beginning!
"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus,
because He will save His people from their sins."
Matthew 1:21 NIV
The Cradle and a Cross
by Kathie Iselin © fromPapaGod.com
In fulfillment of the Scriptures as foretold...
In Bethlehem long ago in days of old.
There appeared in the heavens a brand new star...
A beacon of light guiding those near and far.
It's golden rays shining down to show the way...
To a humble wooden manger lined with hay.
Where a new born baby was fast asleep...
While on a hillside shepherds watched their sheep.
Till an angel came from heaven to earth...
Proclaiming the Saviors glorious birth.
As a choir of angels began to sing...
All glory and honor to the new born King.
Praise be to God for His precious Gift of Love...
For His only Son has come down from above.
Oh how great His Love and Compassion had to be...
But one day an even greater love all would see.
For one cannot have the cradle without the cross...
Or experience shear joy without knowing loss.
The first gift was His Birth and how He would live...
Teaching us the way to love and to forgive.
But the greatest gift of all and why Christ was born...
Was to die and then be raised on Easter morn.
"God showed how much He loved us by sending His only Son
into this wicked world to bring to us eternal life
through His death. In this act we see what real love is:
It is not our love for God, but His love for us..."
1 John 4:9 TLB
Tiny TALES
of all mankind; Your hand controls power and might, and it is
at Your discretion, that men are made great and given strength."
1Chronicles 29:12 TLB
Not the END
but the Beginning!
"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus,
because He will save His people from their sins."
Matthew 1:21 NIV
The Cradle and a Cross
by Kathie Iselin © fromPapaGod.com
In fulfillment of the Scriptures as foretold...
In Bethlehem long ago in days of old.
There appeared in the heavens a brand new star...
A beacon of light guiding those near and far.
It's golden rays shining down to show the way...
To a humble wooden manger lined with hay.
Where a new born baby was fast asleep...
While on a hillside shepherds watched their sheep.
Till an angel came from heaven to earth...
Proclaiming the Saviors glorious birth.
As a choir of angels began to sing...
All glory and honor to the new born King.
Praise be to God for His precious Gift of Love...
For His only Son has come down from above.
Oh how great His Love and Compassion had to be...
But one day an even greater love all would see.
For one cannot have the cradle without the cross...
Or experience shear joy without knowing loss.
The first gift was His Birth and how He would live...
Teaching us the way to love and to forgive.
But the greatest gift of all and why Christ was born...
Was to die and then be raised on Easter morn.
"God showed how much He loved us by sending His only Son
into this wicked world to bring to us eternal life
through His death. In this act we see what real love is:
It is not our love for God, but His love for us..."
1 John 4:9 TLB
Tiny TALES