The Sacrifice

It was bright sunny Sunday morning as Mrs. Bear opened the curtains in Gladly's room.  “Wake up,” she chided.  “It is time to get up and get ready for church.  Now get ready while I go wake your little sister.”

            As his mother left to go wake Suzanne Bear, Gladly turned over with a great big yawn.  He squinted at the bright sunlight that streamed through his bedroom window.  Slowly he rolled out of bed and got ready to go to church.  

            He meandered down the stairs to find his father hunched over the stove fixing breakfast.  The pans rattled as he scrambled the eggs, then he gave a yelp as the flames flicked his hand while setting the bread for toasting.  Turning to Gladly he said, “Good morning son.  Why don't you set the table so we can be ready when your mother comes down?”

            As Gladly set the table, his father finished cooking the meal. Setting a heaping bowl of eggs in the center of the table, he turned and went back for the toast.  When he returned with the toast he looked at Gladly and said, “Thank you son, I appreciate your help.”

           Coming down the stairs, Suzanne Bear called out, “Ooh, something smells yummy.  I love scrambled eggs.  Mommy, can I have strawberry jelly with my toast?”

            Mrs. Bear walked to the table where Gladly and Mr. Bear were waiting.  “Thank you dear,” she said. “I am so blessed to be married to such a thoughtful gentleman.”

            After they had all been seated for the meal, Mr. Bear said grace and they began their meal.  Soon they were all full and could not eat another morsel.  Suzanne cleared the table, and then they all headed out the door for church.

            Before long they were meeting their friends on the way to church.  Suzanne rushed ahead to greet her friend Jasmine Fox.  Gladly pulled back to greet Benjamin Squirrel.  Soon the church bell was ringing and they all gathered inside for the service.

            As the adults went to the sanctuary, the kids followed Miss Rosie the Wise Old Owl to their class.  Gladly whispered to Bryan Skunk, “I wonder what story Miss Rosie has for us today.  She always has something good.”

            They entered their classroom and everyone sat down to learn.  Miss Rosie looked over the smiling faces of the kids, and thought to herself how fortunate she was to be teaching them about the Bible. 

            But not all was quiet for from the back of the room Miss Rosie could hear the sniffles of someone who had been crying.  Looking around she spotted Haley Rabbit in the back, her eyes red from tears.  “Why Haley, whatever is the matter?” asked Miss Rosie.

            “I tripped and fell down on the way to church.  Now my knee has an owie!  Mommy put a band-aid on it but it STILL HURTS” cried Haley.

            Jasmine Fox rushed over to hug her friend Haley.  “Haley, if you want you can have Tori. You know she is my special doll, but I hate to see you hurting.” 

            “Can I just hold her during class?  You can have her back, Jessica made her for you.”

            Miss Rosie smiled as Haley took Tori.  “That was very sweet of you Jasmine.  I know how much Tori means to you, it must have been a big sacrifice to give her to Haley today.”

            “Which reminds me of a story from the Bible; it is about a man named Abraham who also made a big sacrifice.  Now Abraham had a wife named Sarah.  Abraham was ninety-nine, yet he had no children.  God came to Abraham and told him that Sarah would have a son by the next year.  Sarah hearing this laughed to herself, she was eighty-nine and thought she was to old to have a child.

            God asked Abraham, “Why does Sarah laugh.  Is there anything that is too difficult for the Lord to do?  By Spring you will have a son and name him Isaac.”

            But Sarah claimed she didn't laugh, because she was afraid.  But God replied that she did laugh.

            In the spring, Sarah had a little baby boy.  She called him Isaac. She and Abraham were so happy to finally have a child.  Just like Gladly's parents were when he was born.

            Then one day, God came to Abraham with a test.  He said to him, “Abraham, take your only son Isaac who you love, go to Moriah and offer him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains.”

            Now Abraham loved God and wanted to obey him.  He saddled up his donkey, took Isaac and gathered up the wood for the sacrifice.  Then he headed for the mountain that God told him to go to.

            On the third day they saw the mountain for the sacrifice.  Abraham gave the wood to Isaac and led him on.  Isaac told his father they had wood and fire for the burnt offering, but they had no lamb to sacrifice.  Abraham replied that God would provide the lamb for the sacrifice.

            When they reached the site, Abraham built the altar for the sacrifice.  He placed the wood on the altar, then he took his beloved son Isaac, and placed him on the alter.  He took his knife and raised it to slay Isaac as a sacrifice to God.

            That was when the angel of the Lord called out to him, “Abraham, Abraham!”

            Abraham answered, “Here I am.”

           The angel said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, and do not do anything to him.  For I now know that you fear God, you have not even withheld you only son from me.”

            The Abraham looked up and saw before him a ram caught in the bushes.  Abraham took the ram and offered the ram as a sacrifice to God.

            God blessed Abraham because he was willing to sacrifice his only son to God.  Abraham loved Isaac, but he also loved God and was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for Him.  Just as God loves us and sent us His only Son that he loves to be a sacrifice for us to save us from our sins.”

Miss Rosie found this Bible story in Genesis 22:1 - 18

Rainy Days

                It was another rainy day in Fairwood Forest and Andrea Skunk was bored.  As she sat  by the living room window, she looked out at the raindrops falling against the window and sighed.  The skies were dark, cloudy and gray.  It had been raining for 3 days and it didn't look like it was going to end any time soon.

            Suddenly a loud crash sounded from upstairs and Andrea could hear her mother yelling.

            “How many times have I told you boys not to play football in the house?  Just look what you've done to my vase.  Now clean up this mess and wash up.  I've invited Miss Rosie over for lunch and she should be here soon.”

            Shortly a freshly scrubbed and contrite Kevin came down the stairs, followed by his brother Bryan.  At the same time Mrs. Skunk came from the front hall leading Miss Rosie.

            “Miss Rosie!” they all cried as they rushed forward to hug her.  Andrea grabbed her hand and begged Miss Rosie to sit next to her, as she led her to the dining room.

            They sat at the table, and Mrs. Skunk asked Miss Rosie to lead them in the blessing for the meal.  Before long they were busy enjoying Mrs. Skunk's delightful meal.  After they finished, Kevin cleared the table and they all gathered in the living room.

            “I'm so glad you were able to make it today Miss Rosie.” said Mrs. Skunk. “The children have been going crazy trapped in the house with all this rain.”

            “Well 3 days of rain isn't so much,” replied Miss Rosie.  “Did you know there was once a time when it rained nonstop for 40 days?”

            “Was that back when you were a little girl?” asked Bryan.

            “Oh my, it was a long time before that,” replied Miss Rosie.  “Would you like me to tell you about it?”

            “YES!” chorused the kids.

            “Well then sit right back and I will tell you about,” said Miss Rosie.

            “A long time ago, God was sad.  You see the people back then were really bad and it made God sad that they disobeyed him and did such bad things.  They disobeyed their parents, they stole the lied and were not good people.  God decided He would destroy the earth and all the bad people.

            But there was one good man, his name was Noah.  He had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

            God told Noah, “I am going to destroy the earth and all the bad people.  Build an ark (that was a giant boat) to save yourself and your family.  Also all the animals, two by two will go on the ark with you.”

            Noah obeyed God and built the ark.  And when it was finished, God sent the animals to Noah to be put on board the ark.  Noah's wife and sons and their wives also boarded the ark.

            Then the rain started.  For forty days and forty nights it rained.  The water covered the earth and there was no dry place to go.  The water rose so high that even the mountains were covered, and all the bad people died in the flood waters.  Noah and his family were safe because they obeyed God.  You think it's bad being stuck in the house for three days?  It was five months before the earth dried out enough that the ark could finally land on top of a mountain.

            It was another three months before they could even see the tops of the other mountains.  Forty days later Noah opened the window and released a dove, but the dove couldn't find any land and returned to Noah and the ark.

            Seven days later he released the dove again.  This time the dove returned with an olive leaf in its beak.  This told Noah that the waters were drying up.  Yet he stayed seven more days and released the dove once again.  This time the dove never returned and Noah opened the ark and saw the land was dry. Then God told Noah to leave the ark, bring out all the animals and repopulate the earth.

            Noah built an alter to God and offered burnt offerings to God in thanks.  This made God happy and He decided to never again destroy the earth.

            God told Noah that He made this promise to him, that he would no longer would he flood the earth.  As a sign of God's promise, he set the rainbow in the sky.  God told Noah that whenever it rained the rainbow would appear and God would remember His promise.

            That is why we should also keep promises we make, because God has kept His promise.   In fact when it rains, look up into the sky and look for the rainbow.  It will remind you of God's promise.”

Miss Rosie found this Bible story in Genesis 6:11 - 9:17

Jessica's Big Project

            Jessica Fox was excited, her sewing group suggested a new project for her to work on.  The other kids thought it would be too hard, but Jessica wanted to try.  Bubbling with excitement she begged her mom for the material she needed.  The she went up to her room to work on her project.

           Carefully she unfolded her pattern and measured her material.  Cutting slowly, she began to shape the material.  She worked until her mother called up for to get ready for bed.

            The next morning at breakfast, her father asked her what she was working on.  “It's a secret,” she replied.  “This project is a special one.”

            That day at lunch, she met with Hannah Rabbit and Caitlin Otter.  “Boy Jessica, I can't believe you chose that project to work on.” said Caitlin.  “I don't think I am ready for something that difficult.  I am having trouble with that new apron for my mom.  The edges keep coming out crooked.”

            “Well I have been sewing for a while Caitlin” replied Jessica.  “It took me a while to get my edges straight, but Mrs. Eagle is a good teacher.  She is patient and helps you figure where you made a mistake.”

            “I know,” said Caitlin. “I am going to have to ask her for help before our next meeting.”

            Just then the bell rang and the girls had to go back to class.  All during class, Jessica couldn't wait until it was time to go home so she could work on her project again.

            After school she rushed through her chores and struggled with her homework.  Then it was time to work on her project once again.  Mrs. Fox asked her if she needed help, and Jessica asked her how to get her seams straight.  Once again she labored on her special project until it was time for bed. 

            For three weeks, Jessica worked on her special project.  Then one day she came down for breakfast and announced, “My special project is finished.  I am taking it to show Mrs. Eagle today.  Then I will bring it home to show you.”

            “What is it? Is it something good?  I hate waiting.” said Josiah.

            “You will have to wait until this afternoon to find out.” replied Jessica.

            That afternoon at the sewing group, Jessica walked in with a large sack.  When Mrs. Eagle asked if anyone had a finished project to show, Jessica reached in her sack and pulled out her item.  All the girls admired the excellent job Jessica had done on her project.  Mrs. Eagle told her that it the best she had seen in a while.

            After the meeting, Jessica walked home with Hannah.  When Hannah asked her what she was going to do with her project, Jessica told her she was giving it to Jasmine.  Hannah said that she wished she could make one for Haley.

            Everyone was waiting for her in the living room when Jessica arrived home.  “So dear, are you ready to unveil your big surprise,” asked Mrs. Fox

            Jessica reached into her sack and pulled out a homemade rag doll.  She then reached over and handed the doll to her little sister Jasmine. “I made this just for you Jazzy,” said Jessica.

            “Oh boy, I'm gonna call her Tori.  Thank you.” bubbled Jasmine.  “I love you Jessica, You’re the bestest big sister.”

            Jasmine loved her doll Tori, she dragged her everywhere.  She showed it to her best friend Haley Rabbit.  She hugged it close to her at night, she took it to class, and she dragged it to church and Sunday school.  She even showed it to Miss Rosie the Wise Old Owl.

            “Miss Rosie, Miss Rosie, see what Jessica made me?” she said excitedly.

            “Why that's a lovely doll Jasmine.  She looks like she was made with love.” said Miss Rosie.

            “Which reminds me of today's Sunday school lesson.  Do you know how we were made?  I will tell you.

            In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was dark and empty. But God said “Let there be light.” And there was light.  God saw the light and it was good.  Then God separated the light from the darkness.  He called the light Day and the darkness Night.  Then there was evening and there was morning.  That was the first day.

            You know what God did next children?  Why God saw all this water on earth and separated the water with the sky.  Why now there were clouds of water above and seas down below.  This was the second day.

            Now there was still a lot of water on the earth, so God said let dry land appear.  God called the dry land Earth and the waters He called the Seas.  And God saw that it was good.

            Next God said to let the earth grow vegetation and plants and trees.  And do you know what happened?  Plants sprouted from the ground, and trees grew up.  The trees were filled with fruit and the plants were lush and full.  God saw this and said it was good.  This was the third day.

            Can you guess what happened next?  Well God said to let there be lights in the heavens to give light upon the earth.  And the stars appeared, twinkling in the sky. Then God made two great lights, one was the sun to light the day.  The other light was the moon to light the night.  God saw this and said it was good.  This was the fourth day.

            Well then God said to let the waters be filled with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly in the skies above the earth.  And just like that there were fish swimming around in the seas and rivers, and the birds were flying overhead in the skies.  God blessed them telling them to multiply and fill the earth.  This was the fifth day.

            Then God said to let the earth bring forth every living creature, and there were cows, foxes, snakes, bears, and much more.  They all came to life then, all on the power of God's word.  And God saw this and knew it was good.

            The God said, “Let us (The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) make man in our own image, after our likeness.  Let them have dominion over the fish in the sea, birds in the air and over all the living things of the earth.”  Then God took the dust of the ground, shaped it like man.  He then breathed the breath of life into the dust and man became a living creature.  This was the first man Adam.

            But God said that it wasn't good that man was alone, he needed someone with him.  So God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep.  While Adam was sleeping, God took one of his ribs and made a woman from it.  This was the first woman, her name was Eve.  All this was done on the sixth day.

            On the seventh day, God rested.  God blessed the seventh day and made it holy for that was the day he rested from the work He had done with all creation.  That is why we rest on Sunday and go to church.

            So you see, God made everything in six days.  One the seventh day he rested.  But all was made with the power of God's word, he spoke and it was done.  That is how powerful our God is.”

Miss Rosie found this Bible story in Genesis 1 – 2.