The Crow

story by Lisa Petrarca

While on our evening walk, we noticed a crow perched on the back of a chair, dangerously close to a mans face. We watched, worried that the man, who appeared to be enjoying the crow in such close proximity to him, might be hurt.

Our concern wasn't without merit. At our old house, there were several crows nests in the common area by the pool. These particular crows were very aggressive, actually dive bombing several people & children (including mine). This caused many people to be fearful as they headed to the pool. They frantically looked up, waiting for a re-enactment of the Alfred Hitchcock horror film, "The Birds."

Next, to our astonishment, the man leaned his face close to the black, pointy, razor sharp beak. The Crow leaned slowly toward him and............

gave him a kiss?

Then the bird happily jumped onto the mans shoulder & gave him another kiss. We were shocked!

A pet crow?

Who ever heard of such a thing?

We were on the opposite side of the street and asked some boys who were playing, "Is that his pet?" The boys joyfully replied, "Ya, and he has three more! He fixes their broken wings and stuff and they love him. They play with us sometimes too!"

We were completely amazed!

It appears that even a wild, aggressive, pesky crow, when shown a little love and kindness can in return become a grateful, loving friend and companion.

Is there someone in your life who is broken, difficult to deal with, mean, aggressive, angry and hurting? It may be time to show unconditional love. Pray for patience, understanding and wisdom from the Lord. Ask for His help to soften your heart as well as the difficult persons.

Remember, the enemy cannot battle love. Christ showed us by example how to love others unconditionally. Pray for the nature of Christ and watch Him work miracles in your life and relationships.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
John 13:34-35

Jesus cried out, "When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
John 12:44-46

"Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
John 13:12-17.

Dying Boy Found Jesus

Happiness, sorrow, joy and pain. You will find that throughout a single day you may experience one or all of these emotions. Our feelings seem to control every thought, action and motive. Listen to everyone around you, "I think, I feel, I want, I don't want". What would happen if you decided to rely on the Lord instead of your ever fluctuating emotions? Would you be able to find the answer to your questions, problems, hurts and sorrow? How do you begin to find Jesus? Where do you start? One boy new EXACTLY where Jesus was and decided to help others find him~~~

I Found Jesus There
Author Unknown

The surgeon sat beside the boy’s bed; the boy’s parents sat across from him. “Tomorrow morning,” the surgeon began, “I’ll open up your heart…”

“You’ll find Jesus there,” the boy interrupted.

The surgeon looked up, annoyed. “I’ll cut your heart open,” he continued, “to see how much damage has been done…”

“But when you open up my heart, you’ll find Jesus in there.” The surgeon looked to the parents, who sat quietly.

“When I see how much damage has been done, I’ll sew your heart and chest back up and I’ll plan what to do next.”

“But you’ll find Jesus in my heart. The Bible says He lives there. The hymns all say He lives there. You’ll find Him in my heart.”

The surgeon had had enough. “I’ll tell you what I’ll find in your heart. I’ll find damaged muscle, low blood supply, and weakened vessels. And I’ll find out if I can make you well.”

“You’ll find Jesus there too. He lives there.”

The surgeon left. The surgeon sat in his office, recording his notes from the surgery: “…damaged aorta, damaged pulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration. No hope for transplant, no hope for cure. Therapy: painkillers and bed rest. Prognosis:” here he paused, “death within one year.”

He stopped the recorder, but there was more to be said. “Why?” he asked aloud.

“Why did You do this? You’ve put him here; You’ve put him in this pain; and You’ve cursed him to an early death. Why?” The Lord answered and said, “The boy, My lamb, was not meant for your flock for long, for he is a part of My flock, and will forever be. Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain, and will be comforted as you cannot imagine. His parents will one day join him here, and they will know peace, and My flock will continue to grow.”

The surgeon’s tears were hot, but his anger was hotter. “You created that boy, and You created that heart. He’ll be dead in months. Why?”

The Lord answered,

“The boy, My lamb, shall return to My flock, for he has done his duty: I did not put My lamb with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve another lost lamb.”

The surgeon wept.

The surgeon sat beside the boy’s bed; the boy’s parents sat across from him. The boy awoke and whispered, “Did you cut open my heart?”

“Yes,” said the surgeon.

“What did you find?” asked the boy.

“I found Jesus there,” said the surgeon.

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father-and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd."John 10:14-16

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."Matthew 7:13-14