John 6:38
For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
My puppet, Grey, pictured above, is named after my squirrel character in The Glade Series. Since purchasing him in 2010, Grey has been my faithful mascot. His usual perch is atop our printer which sits next to my computer. I love being able to look over at him from time to time while writing or browsing the web. His cheerful, quirky expression never fails to amuse me.
Grey accompanies me to every book signing. He makes for a unique, attractive prop and conversation starter, but that is the limit of his talent.
Until this past weekend . . .
I am invited to set up shop outside of a local coffee shop, Traders 22, in Kennesaw during the annual Big Shanty Festival, an event which attracts upwards of 70,000 people. The business is not on the main drag of the festival, but there are plenty of folks passing by, so I have high hopes for my book sales.
Saturday is a bright, clear day, but oh, so cold and windy! I struggle to keep my tablecloth in place even with two sets of books on the table. I can't prop them for display because they are constantly buffeted by the strong breezes. Even my sign doesn't want to stay put. And, Grey? Well, the poor fellow takes several tumbles to the ground before I realize I'm simply going to have to wear him on my hand if I don't want to keep picking him up.
Ah! Now, my left hand, stuffed into the puppet, is toasty warm. My right hand settles for my coat pocket which isn't nearly as comfortable.
That's when I get the idea. Why not have Grey wave to all the people parading by on the side street? Surely, it couldn't hurt. After all, the only traffic I am getting so far is from those seeking a hot cup of coffee to stave off the chill.
So, Grey begins waving, especially at couples with children. I am tickled to see their reactions, especially from the tiny tots, as the puzzled looks on their faces tell me they aren't sure if Grey is a real squirrel. Oh, how cute it is when they wave back!
Even more surprising to me is how many teens and adults wave back cheerfully in response to Grey. Seeing them smiling and laughing is such a joy. Grey even coaxes particularly friendly grins and salutations from a group wearing their Harley-Davidson jackets!
And, does my traffic increase? You bet, it does! Grey gets hugged on, stroked, squeezed, pummeled, and loved on throughout the day as parents bring their little ones up to see him and to meet me. Grey makes the day!
Such a good sport, is Grey. Never complaining about all his hard work, never refusing to accept my will for him. Always compliant. Ever the bright smile on his whiskered face.
And, I think to myself, What if we were so in tune with the Father's will for us that, in all times and in all places, we could shine with the love of Christ? That when we pray, "Thy will be done," we really and truly meant it?
No doubt, the world would be a better place.
And, maybe, just maybe, we would see, at long last, God's kingdom on earth.
~
Grey made the day for so many folks at the festival this weekend. What do you do to try and make another person's day better?
Will you pray with me?
Teach us, Father, to discern Your will for our lives. Lead and guide us in Your ways. May we pray, "Thy will be done," and mean it from the bottom of our hearts. Amen.
Awwwww! Grey is so cute. A little change can do so much.
ReplyDeleteHaven't been to your blog for some time Martha. Have been busy with A-to-Z Challenge.
Nice that The Glade Series is going place.
Thanks for visiting today, Janu! Don't feel bad about missing my posts - I'm afraid I've missed many of yours, too, my friend.
DeleteAnd, yes, a little change CAN do so much, can't it? Glad you enjoyed Grey. :)
Love and blessings!
I love Grey and Grey loves people;) I can picture the two of you out there spreading joy and perhaps a little bit of mischief. Martha, you're beautiful. That's all I have to say.
ReplyDeleteLove and hugs,
Leah
I know, Leah! What's not to love about Grey? I did have so much fun "puppeteering" at the festival. It made the time fly by.
DeleteThanks so much for coming by and for your sweet, sweet comment.
Love and blessings!
I love this story Martha! I almost closed when I saw the verse at the beginning. I had been reading the Bible to my father up to his death, and we had gotten through Chapter 6 and I had planned to read a couple more chapters the morning I found him.
ReplyDeleteI didn't, and finished reading. It touched my heart. We all should be more like Grey. What a wonderful correlation :) Thank you for sharing!
Oh, Mary, I know that must have been so hard, but I am so glad you hung with it and ended up enjoying the post.
DeleteAnd, yes, if we could all be more like Grey . . .
Love and blessings!
Many years ago a family member living in Hawaii had a daughter. She didn't see the mainland until she was about 4 and became captivated by squirrels. She was obsessed with the rare and exotic little critters to the point where we were all pressed into service looking for a puppet. It had to be gray, not brown you know. Fortunately, the right squirrel was obtained and relocated comfortably to Maui.
ReplyDeleteOh, what a wonderful story, Cairn! Thank you so much for coming by and sharing this.
DeleteYes, the squirrels in the southeastern states are grey ones. In my book, a then eight-year-old Grandpa Will names the squirrel as he sees him - Grey! Isn't that so how children's minds work? They see the obvious and call it out with clarity.
Thanks so much for visiting!
Blessings and love!
you are a marketing genius!
ReplyDeleteI don't know about that, Annmarie, but thanks for the compliment!
DeleteGreat to see you here today, my friend. :)
Love and blessings!
I'm glad you found a nice squirrel. I hate the ones around here. They've been chewing my roof and living in the attic and between the walls. We try to get rid of them, but they keep coming back. Plus, they don't even pay rent.
ReplyDeletehttp://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2013/04/ww-meets-atoz-t-taunting-squirrels.html
Thanks so much for dropping in, Joyce!
DeleteI don't think I'd like our squirrels around here if they were doing to us what they are to you. What a mess! And, not paying rent? Not even with a stash of nuts? Inexcusable! :)
Love and blessings!
So cute! Way to be innovative, fun and caring. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the picture, I thought Grey was real at first, too! Sounds (and looks) like you had a great time at the festival. I've long had book 1 and I promise to read it soon!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for visiting, SweepyJean!
DeleteSo glad to know you have book 1 and will be reading it soon. Book 2 is out and Book 3 should be here around the end of May. Would love to know what you think!
Blessings and love!
I just got your book and I can't wait to start reading it! (I thought Grey was real at first, too, like sweepyjean!
ReplyDeleteGalen, I'm so happy you have the book! Yes, when it comes to Grey, looks can be deceiving. :)
DeleteThanks so much for coming by!
Love and blessings!
Thanks for sharing this lovely story about Grey. We can do very simple things to bring joy to people as you did to passerby's. i think something as small as a smile, letting someone pass you in traffic or extending a helping hand can make anyone's day and bring us joy at the same time. Puppets remind me of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood - no wonder kids loved that show!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for dropping by, Vishnu!
DeleteAnother friend of mine mentioned Mr. Rogers and his puppets on my Facebook feed when I posted this. :) I've always had a special place in my heart for puppets.
And, yes, we can do things every day that bring a smile to the face of another. Random acts of kindness are the ticket to a good day!
Blessings, my friend!
What a fun post Martha... I loved the photos and your story about the outing with Grey. I fear sometimes we take the world too seriously, so times where a little whimsy and reaching out with the love of Christ in our hearts are truly a blessing.
ReplyDeleteHave a Blessed Day!
Thanks so much for visiting, Phather Phil!
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed the post. I agree, we tend to take the world too seriously, especially in these troubling times, but we have to remember whose children we are and live with joy and laughter.
Blessings to you, my friend!
Martha, I think you are right, life would be easier if we did. My motto, take life as it comes, believe and trust He is always within our heart. Gives strength. BTW, from the pictures, it looked like you had a grand time. Love Grey or Gray! :-) ( l lived in the UK and now spell it both ways).
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for coming by, Brenda!
DeleteI love your motto, my dear, it's perfect. And, yes, I had a grand time at the festival.
Oh, and Grey says he won't take offence however you spell his name, just make sure he doesn't miss dinner! :)
Love and blessings!
Amen Martha :) I could feel the abundant blessings that you share with all of us. It makes me feel very light.
ReplyDeleteYou are so creative and I love it ~ always open to embrace God and the things He present you.
I pray with you...may we really learn to pray from the heart and mean it... Lots of love!
and Congratulations!
Oh, yes, Melissa - to pray from the heart and mean it . . . It is what we should, as Christians, do always, but sometimes, we become distracted or hung up with our troubles. That's exactly when we need to immerse ourselves in pray and enter into God's presence. Not always easy, and I'll be the first one to admit it.
DeleteI'm so glad this post made you feel light in heart; Grey has a way of doing that to everyone he meets. :)
Love and blessings always!
Grey is so cute and as always a beautiful prayer. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Suzy, for coming by and for your sweet comment.
DeleteGrey is my inspirational companion and I'm so glad you liked the prayer.
Blessings and love!