KNUCKLEHEADS
They always seem to fight, well, maybe bicker, argue, or provoke one another would be a more accurate description, but it drives me nuts, whatever you want to call it. I’ve got to the point where I don’t even want to give them anything… They seem to get along better when I give them less. When I do give them things the joy and appreciation lasts for a very short time… Then the bickering begins.
I watch them as they dive into the gifts I’ve given them but in short order they are more interested in what the other one has. “Hey! Can’t you just appreciate the one I gave you?” I ask a little agitated, “They’re identical! Knock it off or I’m not giving you anything else!” I warn them.
They get startled, but only momentarily, then they’re back at it. I freely admit that sometimes I ignore them to try to save my sanity. I swear that’s the reason God made them so cute. Otherwise, we might not be able to tolerate them and their attitudes.
In this fallen world, it seems pretty obvious that all things created have these same tendencies. I can’t say I’ve been immune to those same attitudes, feeling, and actions myself. I’m old enough to realize that I have enough, God will provide, He will supply. I don’t know if those two knuckleheads will ever figure it out. In fact, my guess is that they never will. They just don’t seem to have the heart, but God loves them anyway… He’s made us and knows the number of our days…
They aren’t really spoiled. I really don’t give them all that much… but how I enjoy giving them the desires of their little hearts.. They just can’t help themselves, it’s their nature. It’s all of our nature.
I know the Father enjoys giving me the desires of my heart too, and yet there have been too many times I’ve acted just like those two knuckleheads, but He continues to provide despite my shortcomings. I guess that makes me a knucklehead too. I’m just not nearly as adorable as those two.
“Here you go,” I said enthusiastically as I gave them some bread; food, the essence of life. They were so excited and it was pleasing to my soul to watch them. “Hey! – You’re not supposed to do that!” My wife advised. “I don’t see any signs?” was my clever answer. She pressed me, “It kinda goes without saying…”
The two sparrows scampered right up to within a couple of feet of us where we were eating at an outside breakfast place to gather the little treat I’d thrown them. They flew a few feet away to peck at the oversized crumbs but quickly lost interest in the ones I’d given them and set their beady little eyes and beaks on each other’s.
I tried to explain the “Grass is always greener” analogy, but just like most of us humans, they ignored the sound advice…
They too will have to learn the hard way…
Hazel Moon
Sunday, November 18, 2012 @ 6:10 pm
You certainly kept me guessing with this one. I figured it can’t be your daughters, then I thought it must be your dogs, because one of our dogs will not allow the others to have any of the toys. I enjoyed the ending. We used to save bits of our burger bun for waiting birds. They do enjoy something besides worms it seems. Yes, we are like those birds at times, sad to say! May we grow up and enjoy what we have instead of looking to see what someone else has. 🙂
Floyd
Sunday, November 18, 2012 @ 6:19 pm
You summed that up perfectly, Hazel. Yeah, I was trying to misdirect! Thanks for playing along! And the wisdom in your words.
Jennifer@GDWJ
Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 8:29 pm
Same here, Hazel! He had me guessing, too. I loved this!
Floyd, I can be a knucklehead, too. Grateful for God’s persistence in loving us.
Floyd
Wednesday, November 21, 2012 @ 12:21 pm
I guess we all might live up to the name of “Knucklehead” every now and then. I too am grateful for our Father’s persistence in loving us. Well said, Jennifer. Thanks!
Betty Draper
Sunday, November 18, 2012 @ 8:43 pm
This seems to be a skill God has given you, leaving us guessing. I was thinking like Hazel, must be his dogs he is talking about. Great story with a message…
Floyd
Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 5:48 pm
Thanks, Betty. I appreciate you hanging in with me and sharing your thoughts and wisdom as always.
Voni Harris
Sunday, November 18, 2012 @ 9:32 pm
If only those sparrows spoke English. They might have got your whole “grass is greener” lecture. On the other hand, it’s good for us humans that not even a sparrow can fall to the ground without his knowledge. Since we act like them so often. (Matt 10:29)
And, to echo, fun redirection! Thanks!
Blessings, Voni
Floyd
Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 5:51 pm
Thanks, Voni. I was trying to tie that verse in the post. I think I wasn’t completely on target, but it’s nice to do a light hearted one once in awhile!
bill (cycleguy)
Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 2:44 am
You have described the basic human condition- the “I want what you have” syndrome. Sure wish I could write and say things like you do. 🙂
Floyd
Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 5:59 pm
That is precisely what is wrong with our society today, Bill! Funny… I often wish I could relate the way you do! Guess we’ll have to settle with our bread crumbs our Master gave us! Too funny, Bill! Thanks!
tcavey
Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 8:38 am
Funny, I thought you were talking about your dogs. I know I have these same type conversations about my dogs. Each night when I feed them, they want to inspect the others bowl just to make sure they got the same thing.
Then, when they get treats, all kindness goes out the window. They want it all and don’t want to share.
Seems animals really can show us so much about God and our own nature.
Great post. Very thought provoking.
Floyd
Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 6:02 pm
Thanks, TC. We’ve actually got our dogs trained pretty well. Larry even has stolen a treat out of the pantry and dropped one off for Lola before going back for one more for himself! Crazy! I wouldn’t have believed it if I wouldn’t have seen it with my own eyes! But outside it’s a little different; if Lola gets near “his” ball, the gloves come off!
The difference between us and them is the free will God gave us to be able to live and act above our instinct or fallen nature. Free will is such an overlooked miracle I think.
tcavey
Tuesday, November 20, 2012 @ 10:35 am
I agree. I don’t think we fully comprehend the great responsibility of it and the privileged of having it.
Floyd
Tuesday, November 20, 2012 @ 5:17 pm
I’m with you, TC. This very subject has been pressing me to dig deeper for over a year now… I guess I might have to follow the calling! Yeah, I’m a little dull and slow!
Jay Cookingham
Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 8:51 am
I thought you may be talking about two of your commentors….hmmmm, I wonder who would that description?
Anyways, a good insight into our own contentment and how shallow it can be some times. We need to be reminded of how great is His gifts towards us are and how thankful a knucklehead show be!
Floyd
Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 6:04 pm
Well, if the shoe fits, Jay! Just kidding! We are all knuckleheads now and then I guess. The difference is our Father. We have the power to live above our flesh and take that hat that fits our knuckled heads! Thanks, Jay.
Ngina Otiende
Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 11:41 am
Floyd, i didn’t see that bird conclusion coming. I had so much fun reading and guessing who the two knuckleheads are. I may have missed the whole lesson of the post. But I gleaned something in the end. Don’t feed the birds if you want to keep your sanity 🙂 But seriously, deep lesson in this post, as always. That I may learn to be grateful for all the gifts He’s given me.
Floyd
Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 6:06 pm
Thanks, Ngina. I think you learned more from it than me! Well said, we all need to be grateful for the gifts He’s given to each one of perfectly unique unto us.
Jason Stasyszen
Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 1:07 pm
We have the capacity for gratitude and that makes such a huge difference! Without it, we’re no better off than those birds and the bickering and comparisons will eat us up. Nicely done, Floyd. 🙂
Floyd
Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 6:08 pm
“Eat us up?” Are you trying to horn in on the humor? Well… If you are… Well done!!! We are all just like animals if we allow our flesh to rule us. Gratitude is part of the gift of free will. I think we need to explore that subject a little more deeply. Thanks, Jason.
Lincoln Parks
Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 2:17 pm
I was definitely not going to guess they were Pigeons. However, that is the same personality that we exude all the time. We are never satisfied with what we currently have. We always want more, and more of what someone else has. I guess we are not the only species that suffers from this.
Floyd
Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 6:11 pm
I’m with you, Lincoln. We are definitely a part of the entire fallen earth and all that’s in it. It’s amazing and comforting when we and others do use the power of free will to live above our fallen nature. Besides, who wants to be called a bird brain! I may have earned that reputation in the past! Trying to live it down! Thanks, Lincoln.
Effie-Alean Gross
Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 4:08 pm
God’s eye is on the sparrow, and I know He cares for me. That song came to mind as I read your post. Good suspense by withholding the subject of your observations, Floyd. This made me think of others who act like knuckleheads…then I remembered myself. Oy!
Floyd
Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 6:13 pm
Thanks for the chuckle, Effie! You’d be one of the last people on earth that I would consider a knucklehead! I guess we could all fill the hat with our noodles at one time or another in this life. I’m grateful for the power of God to be above it! Now I just have to use that power more often!
Hazel Moon
Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 4:16 pm
Thank you for sharing this post at Tell me a Story! Your image didn’t come through but a smiley face did. Oh well !!
Hazel Moon
Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 4:17 pm
http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/
Floyd
Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 6:14 pm
You know, I sometimes think things work out exactly the way they’re supposed to! Especially when it comes to things in and around your life! Thanks for letting me share it at Tell me a Story site!
Kristin
Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 4:57 pm
Loved the way you wrote this:) I didn’t know who you were talking about until half way through, I figured you were talking about dogs and then you got me with the birds. Great story!
I’m on the other side of that lesson now that I’m sitting on top of that middle aged hill. I want less and less and am simplifying my life which is becoming so wonderful. Less anxiety, less worries, less hassle, less things to dust;)It is so freeing to be content with little. It frees us up to give more. Why does it take so long to learn that?
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Floyd
Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 6:17 pm
Wow… Those are wise and profound words, Kristin. I too have managed to knit together a pretty complicated lifestyle over the years. Funny, now when I dream it is to have a simpler life. Wisdom does eventually come doesn’t it? Especially when we “seek first the things of heaven.” Thanks, Kristin. Awesome addition.
Dan Black
Monday, November 19, 2012 @ 11:22 pm
I’m glad Gods give a knucklehead like myself the desires of my heart. I’m learning to be content and thankful for what I do have and not what I want. Great post Floyd.
Floyd
Tuesday, November 20, 2012 @ 5:13 pm
Very wise, Dan. God is opening my heart to that very thing… Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Thanks, Dan!
Diane
Tuesday, November 20, 2012 @ 3:31 am
Floyd, I’m sitting here with my cup of coffee and trying to figure out who the knuckleheads were…I didn’t suspect birds at all. GREAT WRITING!!! And thank you for the message strewn throughout like breadcrumbs on the ground. My day is off to a good start!
Floyd
Tuesday, November 20, 2012 @ 5:15 pm
Awe thanks, Diane. I’m honored to be part of your day off. “Breadcrumbs on the ground…” Clever girl! I guess we all need this message now and then. Thanks, Diane.
EvieJo
Wednesday, November 21, 2012 @ 3:30 pm
You had me going there….I was imagining two little girls, possibly twins but then when you gave them the bread, I started thinking. Hmmmmm. Never guessed it would be “the least of these”, the sparrows.
Blessings! Enjoyed it!
Floyd
Wednesday, November 21, 2012 @ 3:43 pm
Glad you caught that, “The least of these.” We do tend to act like them once in a while don’t we? Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the insight! Blessings to you as well.