MY DOG LITTLE LUKE2

 

Taking a break from my continued story to share this True Story

at "Tell me a True Story."

My Continued Story will resume soon.

LUKE

 

We got this Black Lab dog, that ain’t much of a dog.  

But the thing is he don’t know that he ain’t much account.  

He likes to sit with me on our porch.  He also enjoys following me around in the yard and back again to the porch. 

He just goes about and does what the other dogs do, and acts like he was just as good as the rest of them.  The other dogs put up with him cause they don’t care one way or the other whether he is good or not.

The thing is he considers himself to be the best of the lot.  To him if he has any short comings, that only means he is special, and better that the rest of the pack.  

If any of the other dogs said to him you don’t measure up to the rest of us, he would just ignore them, and go right on as if they didn’t exist.  

While the others go about solemn, doing their job, he does his job and is happy, and has fun while doing it. 

Try as they may, so far they haven’t made him live according to their standards they have set up for them-selves.  For Little Lukey, as it were marches to his own woof, woof.  

Sometimes I think that dumb dog is smarter than me.  He doesn’t let anyone or anything stifle his creativity, and he is making the most of what he has got.  He follows his own rules but hurts no other dogs in the process and is happy while doing it.  

Should he do things like the other dogs he would surly be a failure but he is his own man, err dog. 

When David volunteered to fight Goliath, King Saul tried to equip David with his armor, but David refused it and used his own God given weapons to destroy the giant.  

In life it is needful to know thyself and be true to yourself and to your God, for then, and only then will you have success.

 

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THE DELI CHAPTER 5

If you need to refresh what has been happening at our story - -
Here are the previous chapters - -

Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four

Dining With Linda

 

CHAPTER 5

He arrived a few minutes early but she was already there talking to one of his competitors.

When she saw Len she broke off her conversation and came to greet him.

They were seated and she said, “I think you know the man I was talking to.”

He said, “Yes I do, he is an old friend from school.”

“Well he said some good things about you.”

“Well you don’t want to pay much attention to him for he always has an ulterior motive.”

“What in the world kind of motive could he have in bragging on you?”

“Well to be frank, no I’d better not be frank.”

“Well you started this now finish what you hinted at.  What was he getting at?”

“Okay he is like me, we’re both smitten by you so there, I’m hungry let’s eat.”

As they were reading over the menu she said, “What on earth do you mean “smitten by me?”

“Just that I’m… I find you… I want to marry you, let’s order for I missed lunch today.” 

She gave a bit of a smirk at that and then started to laugh. “I don’t know if this is the way you do business, or if it is just when you think you are dealing with helpless woman.”

“You’re far from helpless I know that much about you. This has nothing to do with business and I have never been more serious, I think I’ll have a steak, how about you.”

She said, “Len I can’t believe you are serious. Don’t you know anything about romance?”

“Yes a little and that will come as soon as you say yes.”

“You’re not serious, you can’t be.”

Len said, “Now don’t tell me that you haven’t checked me out and know most everything about me?”

“Well you got me there I have had you thoroughly checked out from grade school on for I’m not about to risk my company to someone I know nothing about.”

“Then you know I haven’t been this serious about any woman before.”

“Well I didn’t get that far into your past by talking to all your old girlfriends.”

“Just a few?”

“Yes,” she laughed, “Just a few.”

“Then you must know I’m in earnest when I say I want you for my wife. Now don’t tell me you didn’t consider me as a possible suitor after checking on me?”

“Len you are too open and honest for me. I’m not used to guys being this upfront with me. All I can say to your proposal is I will think about it while we are courting.”

He smiled and said, “That is as good as a yes and the proposal is good until you say you want to be my wife.”

After dinner during which neither said hardly anything she said, “I took a cab here, can I get a ride home?”

He said, “Certainly, but first I have to make a stop if that’s alright?”

She said, “Of course, I’m in no hurry to get home.”

Shortly he pulled over and parked and said, “C’mon go with me.”

She hesitated so he said, “It’s alright you will be safe and after all we almost married.”

They climbed the front stairs and rang the bell. An old man came to the door and after focusing his eyes he said, “Len what are you doing here?”

“I just came by to see you and mama.”

They went in and there was an older woman watching T.V.

Len said, “Papa and Mama this is Miss Charles or Linda as you will soon be calling her. She will soon be my wife if she agrees and your daughter-in-law.”

Len’s mother hugged Linda and said, “I didn’t think he would ever find the right one and now, here you are.”

For the next hour Linda found out the whole of Len’s history and Len finally said, “We had better go for it’s getting late.”

They said their goodbyes and while standing on the bottom step of the front porch Len said, “I can’t wait any longer to kiss you if it’s okay?”

She giggled and said, “I thought you’d never ask,” as they embraced.

When they arrived at Linda’s home he said I have something for you.

He pulled out a small box and showed her an engagement ring. He gave the box to her and said, “Either decide to put it on after thinking it over or throw it away for I don’t want to see it again unless it’s on your finger.”

She said, “Isn’t this a little presumptuous?”

“Perhaps… no I don’t think so you have turned your company over to a man you hardly know, and now I’m asking you to marry that same man.”

She couldn’t keep from laughing and said, “You don’t know much about me and you want me for your wife?”

“Well sure, unless there something wrong with you. Do you think I could do better?”

“Since you put it that way I don’t suppose you do better than me.”

“All I ask is please don’t take too long in deciding for my heart can’t take much waiting.”

She said, “I will give you my answer tomorrow.”

As he left he thought this is the craziest thing I have ever done and I bet she feels the same way… I sure hope it works out.

 TO BE CONTINUED

THE DELI Chapter 4

We resume our Continued Story

If you need to refresh what has been happening at our story - -

here are the previous chapters - - Click on each to view.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Should I Take This Job ??

 Chapter 4

It was decision time for Len as he preferred to be called, he had to find employment soon so he called upon several friends he had in college.

One in particular said he could help him get a very lucrative job where he worked. The company ran several enterprises and needed someone with Len’s skills of management. They bought failing businesses and brought them back to profitability. They had followed Len’s process as he reorganized his father’s business and saved it.

One problem for Len was his new position was going to be above his friend’s level and he didn’t feel comfortable with that.

His friend said “Not to worry, you getting this job will probably save my butt, for I wasn’t getting the job done.  My working under you will protect my position and I need that protection.

Instead of buying some of the companies they reorganized they took a percent of ownership for their help that way the owners didn’t lose their business completely.

After a year Len was firmly set in his position and his mind turned toward finding a wife. This was partly because of his mother and sisters constantly urging him to join the ranks of those who are family men.

It wasn’t as if he hadn’t been dating but the women he went out with were good enough for a date but not for marriage.

When questioned on this he simply said there were qualities he was looking for in a mate for life he had not found in the girls he had been going out with.

“Why did you go out with them if they weren’t what you were looking for?”

He answered by saying, “The way you find out about them is to spend time with them and not just judge on a casual meeting where people put their best foot forward.”

After that year of not finding what he wanted in a wife; a woman came to the office to discuss upgrading her business. As it turned out it she owned a large company she had been given by her folks but at this time it had become stagnant and needed revitalization.

I Came to See Mr. Len Please.

After being interviewed by his second in command she requested to see Len for he was the reason she was here.

Len was busy but his aide said, “I think you will want to see this one.”

After a moment he put the papers he was working on away and said, “Show her in.”

After being offered some refreshment which she declined she was seated and a moment later Len appeared and introduced himself.

After the introductions, the woman spoke saying, “I need some help in getting my company going again.”

Len said, “I know something of your company and as a matter of fact we have discussed making you an offer for it.”

She said, “Put your check book away because it is not for sale.”

For the first time since she got there, Len actually looked at the woman. His attention was drawn to her hair which was cut short but was the oddest color of red he had ever seen. It was a dark shade of red almost a black hue you could sense as well as see.

He thought, “That color must be something they dreamed up at the beauty shop.” For a moment he forgot the reason she was there and let his gaze go from her hair to her face.

While he stared at her she became a little agitated and said is there something wrong?

He came to himself somewhat and said, “No I was just trying to see how you would best fit in your business or be able to use all your assets to your greatest advantage.”

He thought, “That sure sounded lame,” and he could see she felt the same way.

For the next half hour he tried not to look at her and laid out what he felt her problems were and some solutions for making things better.

He went on by saying, “This is only from an outsider’s point of view but should we be hired I can come up with a concise program guaranteed to increase the value of your company and bring it back into the main stream of today’s business.”

She said, “When can I see something on paper?”

He said, “I can have a preliminary plan worked out and we can discuss it over dinner tonight if you’re available.  Strictly business of course, except I would like you’re opinion on a subject other than the plan for your company.”

“You would like my opinion?”

“Yes indeed.  Well that sounds interesting.”

“Okay let’s meet at seven at Marko’s for a steak.  Let me show you out for I have a lot of work to do before seven.”

As they were saying their goodbyes he looked at her and wondered.

It was a busy day as he had his staff do a lot of vetting on Miss Charles.  Len wanted to know as much about her as possible before the evening.

Putting together a plan for her was easy for he had done it many times before.  He would only need her input to finish it up.

That evening seemed to be a long time coming for Len because he was looking forward to seeing her again. He tried to remember what it was about her that had captivated him. Her hair, her eyes, her voice; it was all of her was his conclusion.

He now knew a lot about her where she had gone to school which was a private school all of her life. Something about her dating habits and what kind of guys she went out with and her business experience. He thought this evening is going to be very interesting.

TO BE CONTINUED

 

A LITTLE WOE WILL DO ME 2

Woe is Me !!

 

WOE; Deep distress or misery, as from grief or wretchedness! 

So far in life, I haven't had very much of what you could call real "Woe." but I have had something that came close. At different times there has been (near) poverty, sickness, and many forms of worry that had a real basis and some that was just as real, that had no substance, but I worried just the same.  

Some people I have met seem to enjoy misery.  They are not happy unless they have something to complain about.  At times I am what you might call a border liner, not the real McCoy mind you for a little misery goes a long way with me.  The boost that comes from complaining also fades quickly.  

Job 14:1-2  Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.

He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he flees also as a shadow, and continues not.  

These words were spoken by Job while he was experiencing a hell on earth. You could say he had it all heaped upon him: tested in his body, the psychological, and the spiritual.  He surly could have done without his wife and friends because the hurt they laid on him was not appreciated.

Job 2:9-10 His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips. 

The book of Job is a study about a righteous man who under the most distressful times and though not understanding "why" stood true to GOD. Satan tried to remove Job's faith from him through adversity but he stood firm in his resolve.

 

A Slavic friend's pastor of a Slavic congregation stood before them and said; enemies of us in the past threw everything at us, they starved us, beat us and killed us but they could not separate us from our GOD, then he held up a dollar bill and said, “What they could not do, this (dollar bill) has been able to do.”  

While during the time of woe they stood fast but in the good times they faltered.

This message has often rung in my ears and has helped my attitude in both good times and the not so good for I have experienced both.  

Romans 8:35-39  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

This post is shared at “Tell Me a True Story.”

 

COMMUNICATION 2

Communicating with God

 

After being in a deep sleep, as I was coming back to cognizance of the world around me, a thought came to me concerning communication.  

I have at times been told something but what I perceived the person to be saying was not exactly what they said.  I have then asked, “What do you mean?” for further clarification?

It seems to me that there are both thoughts and the force behind any statement that is made, for example: 

Years ago I would tell my kids “Don’t do that,” without any consequence implied. Then there were times when I would say something and there would be a penalty for failure to obey. Therein was both meaning and the force behind words spoken.

 

From the time of creation of man, GOD has communicated with man many ways.  At times it was a direct conversation and also as in  Hebrews 11:1-2 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 

We can read what GOD said as recorded by the prophets and the words of Jesus. 

As I was coming out of the fuzziness of sleep I wondered if these words mean to me as much as they mean to GOD.  When GOD speaks, HIS words carry not only meaning but also are backed up by all the power inherent within GOD himself.  

I then asked myself this question; “Does HIS word retain the same power when I receive them as when HE spoke them or do they lose something in my translation of them?”

When He said ‘I AM THAT I AM” it means the same to me as it does to HIM. 

What about Acts1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."  

Do those words mean the same to me as they do to GOD?  

I then wondered; am I missing something here? Is the power of the gospel message being diluted by my inability to grasp the full meaning and power of GOD’S word?  

Do HIS words mean the same to me as they do to HIM?  

If that is so then it is no wonder that I am falling short in every area of my life, in prayer, in conduct, in the whole of my Christian experience. 

While I thought on those things I began to look at GOD’S words in a different light and the power of those words are making a difference in me. 

Perhaps my faith has been limited by not seeing GOD’S word as HE sees it and believing it as it was meant to be believed. Faith is totally dependent upon believing GOD’S word as HE believes it.

This post is shared at “Tell Me a True Story.”

THE POWER OF TIME

This True Story is shared at “Tell Me a True Story.”

My continued story will resume soon !

THE POWER OF TIME

While it isn’t always the case but time has a way of softening the harshness of the reality of the failure of parents and their parenting skills. For the most part children are severe judges of how they were raised and render strong opinions of the perceived failures of their parents.

Seldom is it made part of the equation that the raw material the parents were working with might have had some defects that were somewhat insurmountable.

In any case I find my judgments have been modified somewhat by time and experience.

Mom

Now as to my mother I conclude that she was one hundred percent a country girl and no amount of travel, or becoming being citified would not ever change that, nor did she ever try to adjust her persona. 

Early in life I felt I had sufficient intelligence to function at the level I wished to live my life, and from that time I rejected most of her input into the formation of my attitudes toward life.

She became more like an older sister whose opinion carried little weight in my decision making.

But time has garnered a new respect and fondness for her I wasn’t capable of as a youth and a desire for the impossible which is to go back and relive those days as a better and more understanding me.

She was greatly limited by the hard headedness of the child my parents had spawned. 

Dad

Now as for dad, what can you say? He saw himself as a bit of a Jim Dandy! He dressed himself in nice suits and often wore a stylish straw hat.

As a young man in 1917 he had driven all the way from Georgia to California in a T model Ford. The roads were poor and the road across the Mojave Desert was made of wooden planks. 

He had been married to a nice lady who had borne him a son. After some time he decided he wasn’t cut out to be a father and husband so they parted.

It was some number of years later when he met up with my mother and she wasn’t one to let go like most of my dad’s former girl friends were.

She managed to get him to the Justice of the Peace and he once again reluctantly said the knot tying words “I do.”

It was the second time around for him and Lo it wasn’t long before I made the scene and began to demand a piece of the pie.  My early years were spent traveling from city to city and living in boarding houses.  The service company my dad worked for sent him all over the south servicing machinery they sold.

After five years we settled in a mill town where passion prevailed over protection and mom became pregnant once again. Toward the end of the pregnancy an aunt joined to help out during this time. She was a lot of help and company for my mom until passion overcame propriety and she was caught in the outhouse with dad in the act of pleasuring themselves.

This wasn’t acceptable behavior for mom and she in great displeasure explained that this wasn’t the kind of help she had envisioned and it was the time for auntie to return to her home. S

ince I was the one who made the discovery of the forbidden actions I was confused by the whole event and following hullabaloo.

Peace returns

As it turned out we were scheduled to move to California and the almost 3000 miles separation from the unsavory event settled everything down.

Things went well for about 8 years until dad decided to take a job in South America. Of course we went south also. We went to the south of North America in Tennessee and he to Peru.

After the divorce that followed I managed on my own, and time came when ole dad returned and he took me to Oregon with him. Things didn’t work out and he returned to South America leaving me in California at the age of 15.

Back to “Time”

There were a million things that happened during those years, I obviously haven’t mentioned. Years later after me getting married he returned to California from South America for a couple of days to visit the family members that now lived there.

That was the last I saw of him. He died some three years later.

It took a long while for me to forgive his failures as a dad or at least what I supposed his failures were; but time has done what nothing else could do. The good stuff has come to the forefront and the other stuff has all but faded away.

Allowing this to happen has changed me a bit and I feel more kindly toward those who gave me life for without them I wouldn’t be here.  It is difficult to forget, but at least I can forgive.

Are you willing to let "Time" do it’s work with you?  Are you willing to Forgive?

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