The calendar picture for October. It is a quote from Joseph R Cooke, a "Methodist Unitarian" preacher [1775-1811] who wrote two books about God's grace.
I confess I cannot quite work out the picture.
At first I thought the bear was showing the dog his burnt fruitcake with a sad expression. Then I decided the dog had a sad expression too, because she'd left a trail of muddy footprints. Each creature realising they were imperfect.
Then I decided the bear was bringing the dog's food to her - even though she had made a mess, the bear was gracious and forgiving.*
When our girls were much younger, I had two posters in my kitchen:
The first was a sad little girl holding a plate, and a cake upside down in the floor in front of her. The caption was "God loves us, even when we mess things up"
The second picture was an incredibly untidy house, stuff all over the floor and furniture, rampaging children and a frazzled mum. The wording -"God bless this mess!" **
All of us mess up sometimes. But God continues to forgive us, to love us, and to bless us. And that is his Amazing Grace.
I need to work on my "Grace-Face" I think😘
* Why does the bear have clothes but the dog doesn't? [Am I overthinking this?]
** The poster was a gift from my Dad to remind me that even in the midst of chaotic, busy, family life, God cares.
I think I am going to adopt 'God bless this mess' as my new mantra.
ReplyDelete😉 👍🧡
DeleteMy mother used to have lots of sayings involving God. A favourite one was “as God made them, he matched them”, when people commented on the seeming incompatibility of some couples. Catriona
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting one I'd not heard before 💛
DeleteLove it that the bare bear paws look like oven mits for the cake. Lesley
ReplyDeleteThat's why I thought it might be a cooking disaster ,🤣💜
DeleteIt's a cute picture but I understand what you mean about the slight ambiguity of the meaning 😀
ReplyDeleteThank You For the wise words about Grace.
Alison in Devon x
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DeleteI guess the words illustrate the imperfect way the picture illustrates the words??
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DeleteYour poster with the cake on the floor reminded me of when I was a child and came home from school with the latest offering from cookery class. "It's an invalid pudding" (to feed to invalids apparently), I pronounced, and promptly dropped it on the floor. "Well, it is now!" replied my mother, drily!
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DeleteI'm struggling with mess at the moment. We cleaned and tidied for my sister 2 weeks ago or so but the hoover broke and then have had 2 busy weekend including this one away and I've been out for a few evenings each week. Just feeling anxious about this week at school as I have extra cover to do at registration time and after schooland I've arranged an extra after school workshop with too many children. I hope and pray God sends the amount I can cope with and not the full 48 I invited along.
ReplyDeleteYou are in my prayers Kezzie ❤️🙏
DeleteIs it all your mess, Kezzie?Try Gumtree for a cheap vacuum or if you have a Buy Nothing Group in your area you can put a 'wanted' request on board. You might get lucky. Good luck this week.
DeleteAll good suggestions. Thanks A
DeleteI think both characters are showing equal grace. The bear for the muddy paw prints and the dog for the burnt cake!
ReplyDelete😉👍🐾🐾🐾🎂🎂🎂
DeleteMy screen name started out as "Bless My Mess" because of the state of my house when I first started. I must admit that it tends to be a bit messy, still (but, daughter is helping me with tidying it up!)
ReplyDeleteSounds like the two of you are having a good time
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