Mood:
luckyTopic: Kittys adventures
This was written by Becky, a friend in one of the groups I’m in. I don’t care if you have kids or not, print this because it is very inspirational. I’m very fortunate to be allowed to post this for others to see. You’ll hear and see the sounds of the night much differently after the read.
ron
Dear Jose,
This is my friend, YouWho, the Night Owl. He lives in a forest and spends his nights on this branch or that, watching. YouWho has always loved to watch over people. He felt it was something pleasing to his Creator.
Way back when, YouWho had no name. He was just an owl like any other. But he wanted to be more than just another owl. He wanted to do something more than just watch over people. So he asked his Creator to please make him different.
Well, it didn't seem like his Creator had listened. Nothing made him different. He went about in the night time as usual, with a "whooo" there and a "whooo" here, watching over people passing through the forest.
One day YouWho's voice changed. When he was hooting "whooo", it sometimes came out more like "you". It turned out he was sick. Soon all he ever hooted was "whooo YOU" . . . "whooo YOU". Even after he got well, it went on. YouWho was getting pretty frustrated.
Then, people he was watching over started answering what they thought was a question - "whooo YOU?"
"I'm the milkman,
delivering milk before daybreak."
"I'm the taxi driver,
here late to take neighbor Joe to the airport."
"I'm the Wilson's boy,
up before the sun to get my Mom some eggs."
This was exciting and YouWho thought the Creator had finally bestowed a special grace upon him. He began to feel great pride when people gave him answers all night long. After all, no other owls could hoot like him. And no other owls got answers.
That was until all the people he watched over got tired of the same questions, night after night after night . . .
"It's none of your business!"
"Would you just shut up, already?!"
"Find another tree, you fowl owl."
Boy was YouWho angry. He was angry at his people and really, really angry at his Creator. And so discouraged. But he tried to keep his heart open. Even in his pride, he did want to serve the Creator.
YouWho continued to watch over people in the forest. But he decided to stop hooting. He knew aggravating people wasn't right. Stopping was just the best he could think to do. He also could remember and be grateful that his Creator had healed him. And he could watch and listen for Guidance. So one day, YouWho heard his Creator softly whisper on the nightwind,
"Turn it around to do more".
Poor YouWho. He pondered and he pondered. He frowned. He thought, why doesn't the Creator tell me more? And he frowned and frowned and pondered some more. He tried out various ways to "turn it around", even sitting backwards on his branch in the night. After all, what seemed awful foolish to him might be wise in the Creator's eyes. He even thought, maybe it was a miracle message and people just didn't "get it".
Then one night, way way late, someone stopped nearby in the forest. Since he wasn't hooting anymore, YouWho could hear the man speaking,
"Creator? It's me, Charlie. Me again.
I'm probably making You mad.
Sorry.
It hurts too much to go on.
I am so, so tired,
tired of struggling, falling down.
Don't You even care?"
Silence.
"Where are You? Are You anywhere?
There is nothing for me here.
Nothing!
This earth and all creation
is dead and dying!
What is there for me to live for
if You're dead too?"
How could anyone think the Creator doesn't care?? Well, when this hopeful, prayerful, faithful little owl heard the words, "if You're dead too" . . . he couldn't help but hoot. He was so upset he mixed up his hoots! Instead of "whooo YOU", out came "YOU whooo". He was so embarrassed he covered his beak with both wings.
But Charlie, in spite of his frustration and despair, was trying to listen. He was listening with both his ears and his heart, hoping the Creator maybe would answer him. Charlie heard "YOU whooo" with his ears. But what his heart heard, in that dark of night was much more,
"It's YOU whooo the Creator loves."
Suddenly YouWho knew! In the night, on his branch, with his odd gift, he could do more! He could share the Creator's love! Suddenly he felt so humble - and so blessed.
Most of the owls, the ones who knew their Creator, served Him without knowing clearly what He wanted them to do – exactly. They knew to love others as well as themselves . . . and to love themselves as well as others. And they served Him well. That was a good thing.
YouWho didn't understand why the Creator had given him this peculiar gift, but he was ready to do what he'd been equipped to do. YouWho would serve Him well. And that was a good thing, too.
YouWho set out to hoot his special message, night after night, all night long. Many of the people would pass by and say, "what a strange hoot". Before long they were calling this "weird" owl, "YooHoo". Some of them called him that just to make fun. And it hurt. He didn't feel very blessed anymore. But then . . .
. . . there were the ones who didn't make fun. The ones whose faces would change as they walked by. There'd be happy smiles, or shouts of joy. There'd be quiet tears, or lined faces would soften with peace. They were listening and their hearts knew. Just like Charlie. And they were comforted. YouWho saw all this and so he too was comforted.
Many, many people, still laugh at YouWho. They still call his hoots "YooHoo" and they make the Creator's message into a joke. But it no longer hurts to hear them. His Creator calls him YouWho - that's all that matters. And that's how this faithful little owl got his name!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
When YouWho accepted his peculiar gift (his odd hoot) and began to use it to serve his Creator, he became filled with the Creator's Light! At night, when YouWho is watching over people, his Light always shines brightly. There are lots of trees and bushes in the forest, so you have to be trying to find YouWho's Light to see it.
Some people won't stop to try finding the Light during their rushing and worrying. Some would rather walk in the dark. Some are trying to find ANY kind of light, yet when they see the Creator's Light they pay no attention. Ah, but many, many people find His Light! And carry it with them everywhere they go. The Creator is pleased. YouWho has served Him well, and is content. And that IS a good thing.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
What's interesting about YouWho's story is this:
YouWho has left the forest. He carried his Light with him, but the Light is still there!! How does the Creator DO this? You and I can leave the Light behind us even as we carry it with us? That's a Mystery to me! It has to be a Miracle!
YouWho's Light IS still in the forest and he HAS left. But I know where he went. He went to find you! Because I sent him – well, I asked him anyway. The Creator sent him, so I shouldn't try to take all the credit . . .
Now YouWho's Light shines just for you! You can see it anytime you need it. Then after you've found the Light shining for you in the dark, others will be able to see the Creator in you! But don't try to understand it, none of His people really do, even those who know their Creator.
All you have to do is open your eyes to see the Light in the dark. It will show you where to go. Just let it happen, your Light. And always have Comfort in the night.
And remember, "it is YOU whooo the Creator loves".
I love you too.
Gma
