The Moral of The Story
In a previous post entitled, Recognize The Wolf, I made a reference not only to the story but the illustration I drew. I originally drew the subject matter as a sort of an abstract of what a movie poster could look like. There was a purpose for every aspect of the piece from it being black and white to only showing half of their faces. The cabin looked small like a wood shed and the smoke that came between the two characters is as poignant as the characters themselves. People who enjoy looking at art would have spotted these things and it is one of the reasons why the piece does so well in my gallery.
For the purpose of this blog; however, I draw (pun intended) your attention not to the illustration but the story itself. As an adult, I thought about the nonsense of anyone not recognizing a threat when it comes upon him/her much like not being able to recognize the difference between a family member and a stranger. Could it happen? Why didn't any of the characters in Superman or Batman recognize Clark Kent or Bruce Wayne? Did they want to or was it easier to believe that there was some fictitious character coming to save the day rather then men who made it their cause to fight against wrong? Nevertheless, it is Red Riding Hood that is told over and over again to children without giving them the actual moral of the story beyond not talking to strangers. Sadly, that would be an epiphany for some.
Children have a tendency to do so much talking because they don't know any better to keep what goes on in the house, in the house. Many times it is better for children to tell someone some things that they trust but for the most part how Mommy and Daddy wrestles in the bed when the think Johnny is asleep, is something that should stay in the house. Children are innocent like that. There is a cuteness about them because they have not learned the difference yet, much like kittens and puppies. Regretfully, it is that same cuteness (innocence) that predators look for as well and because of that, we make sure that our children grow up faster then we did giving them all sorts of information that we didn't have for their own safety. Then we, as parents, become concerned whether they will be jaded or will the shape of their personality be so much different rather then what we would like for them to be. It's six in one hand and half a dozen in the other. We trust in God and their safety wins... most of the time. There are those parents who are determined to allow their children to have the childhood they had. Do remember those black and white movies where the dialogue was fast and so much of it? I recall as a child, I could watch those movies over and over again. Now with the improvements on technology, I find myself not having the patience to hear so much talking. Even with the movies I liked so much, I'd look at the screen with an expression wondering, "did they always talk so fast? Why won't he shut up?"
I can understand when God blesses us, we would like for everyone to know. I have been there thinking that my fellow believers in Christ would understand having been there themselves and wish me well or at the least rejoice with me. It don't always happen that way. Look at Joseph. He told of a good dream God gave him to his blood brothers. These were the boys he grew up with! They plotted to kill him because of a dream (Genesis 37:5 AMP)! Really?!! Wouldn't that teach us all to not talk so much especially to those that don't hardly tell you anything (of their own blessings).
For the purposes of Christian dating, the warning signs flash clearly but when the package is wrapped so pretty, we tend not to see the flags waving right in front of our faces. Why did Red Riding Hood speak to an animal that would not normally have a voice to speak? Why did Eve (Genesis 3:1-6)? Why did Red tell the wolf so much about her and her grandmother? Why didn't she recognize that the one in the bed wasn't who she came to see? I believe when we talk so much we miss out on information that can be obtained by just looking or listening. The wolf had plenty to go on. Red gave him all he needed know. Even when he chased her and she got to her grandmother's house safely, I think she was still talking about her experience about the wolf in the woods and didn't look to see what her grandmother was doing, wearing, feeling, or how she sounded. It wasn't until her own life was in peril did she see what was so plain to everyone else hearing the story or looking at the illustrations (James 1:19 AMP).
Scriptures state for the older to tell the younger in order not to repeat the same mistakes as our forefathers; nevertheless, the blessings that the Lord placed on his people were documented on the staffs that the leaders carried with them. It was the blessings that were read and spoken to repeat, not the mistakes. When the Word tells us to stir up the gift, all they needed to do was read all of the blessings that were written on the staff. Moses held up the staff as a symbolic statement in reminding God of His Word. God tells us to state our case to Him and remind Him of His Word (Isaiah 43:26 AMP). Let Him hear of the blessings that He has given you. God is pleased at the prosperity of His servants. Don't let your story be the one that never wants to be repeated. Goodness, walking around talking to strangers and with animals that don't have a voice. That just sounds too much like crazy! Speak good things. Do good works. Just be good, so you can attract the same.
For the purpose of this blog; however, I draw (pun intended) your attention not to the illustration but the story itself. As an adult, I thought about the nonsense of anyone not recognizing a threat when it comes upon him/her much like not being able to recognize the difference between a family member and a stranger. Could it happen? Why didn't any of the characters in Superman or Batman recognize Clark Kent or Bruce Wayne? Did they want to or was it easier to believe that there was some fictitious character coming to save the day rather then men who made it their cause to fight against wrong? Nevertheless, it is Red Riding Hood that is told over and over again to children without giving them the actual moral of the story beyond not talking to strangers. Sadly, that would be an epiphany for some.
Children have a tendency to do so much talking because they don't know any better to keep what goes on in the house, in the house. Many times it is better for children to tell someone some things that they trust but for the most part how Mommy and Daddy wrestles in the bed when the think Johnny is asleep, is something that should stay in the house. Children are innocent like that. There is a cuteness about them because they have not learned the difference yet, much like kittens and puppies. Regretfully, it is that same cuteness (innocence) that predators look for as well and because of that, we make sure that our children grow up faster then we did giving them all sorts of information that we didn't have for their own safety. Then we, as parents, become concerned whether they will be jaded or will the shape of their personality be so much different rather then what we would like for them to be. It's six in one hand and half a dozen in the other. We trust in God and their safety wins... most of the time. There are those parents who are determined to allow their children to have the childhood they had. Do remember those black and white movies where the dialogue was fast and so much of it? I recall as a child, I could watch those movies over and over again. Now with the improvements on technology, I find myself not having the patience to hear so much talking. Even with the movies I liked so much, I'd look at the screen with an expression wondering, "did they always talk so fast? Why won't he shut up?"
I can understand when God blesses us, we would like for everyone to know. I have been there thinking that my fellow believers in Christ would understand having been there themselves and wish me well or at the least rejoice with me. It don't always happen that way. Look at Joseph. He told of a good dream God gave him to his blood brothers. These were the boys he grew up with! They plotted to kill him because of a dream (Genesis 37:5 AMP)! Really?!! Wouldn't that teach us all to not talk so much especially to those that don't hardly tell you anything (of their own blessings).
For the purposes of Christian dating, the warning signs flash clearly but when the package is wrapped so pretty, we tend not to see the flags waving right in front of our faces. Why did Red Riding Hood speak to an animal that would not normally have a voice to speak? Why did Eve (Genesis 3:1-6)? Why did Red tell the wolf so much about her and her grandmother? Why didn't she recognize that the one in the bed wasn't who she came to see? I believe when we talk so much we miss out on information that can be obtained by just looking or listening. The wolf had plenty to go on. Red gave him all he needed know. Even when he chased her and she got to her grandmother's house safely, I think she was still talking about her experience about the wolf in the woods and didn't look to see what her grandmother was doing, wearing, feeling, or how she sounded. It wasn't until her own life was in peril did she see what was so plain to everyone else hearing the story or looking at the illustrations (James 1:19 AMP).
Scriptures state for the older to tell the younger in order not to repeat the same mistakes as our forefathers; nevertheless, the blessings that the Lord placed on his people were documented on the staffs that the leaders carried with them. It was the blessings that were read and spoken to repeat, not the mistakes. When the Word tells us to stir up the gift, all they needed to do was read all of the blessings that were written on the staff. Moses held up the staff as a symbolic statement in reminding God of His Word. God tells us to state our case to Him and remind Him of His Word (Isaiah 43:26 AMP). Let Him hear of the blessings that He has given you. God is pleased at the prosperity of His servants. Don't let your story be the one that never wants to be repeated. Goodness, walking around talking to strangers and with animals that don't have a voice. That just sounds too much like crazy! Speak good things. Do good works. Just be good, so you can attract the same.
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