Khaki Colored Frog

One day last week my sweet honey bun and I were enjoying the fresh air outside when we came upon a little tiny frog in the flower bed. The little guy was not much larger than a dime, a khaki brown color with dark brown spots, and a very fast jumper. Well, we had no choice....it's in the Grammie's book of rules when you come across a frog with your grandchild you must chase around trying to catch it. I believe some of these rules are there to keep us grandparents humble:) It was very fun and my honey bun was so sweet..."Go MeeMee! Me do it too MeeMee"!... followed by laughing and much bobbing in and out of bushes. That little frog was so fast and also so camouflaged. He blended in so well with the bushes and the mulch that it was hard to find him if you took your eyes off of him at all. Later the same evening, as I came to my back door after dark, there were three fat bright green tree frogs stuck to the wall. Those fat, bright colored frogs stuck to the wall were not camouflaged at all. You couldn't miss them if you tried. Those frogs stood out with their bright green color and they didn't move at all when I reached out to touch one. They just sat there glued to the wall waiting on their dinner to fly by. Much different from the tiny, fast, khaki frog we had seen earlier in the day."But now ask the beasts, and let them teach you; And the birds of the heavens, and let them tell you. "Or speak to the earth, and let it teach you; And let the fish of the sea declare to you. "Who among all these does not know That the hand of the LORD has done this." Job 12:7-10

This seems to be common in nature. I watch the birds in my yard from the front window and have noticed the small Carolina Chickadees that hang on the pine trees. They are swift and small and blend in with the bark on the trees. But in contrast to that is this one BIG redheaded woodpecker that hammers away at a dead tree we have in the front. His jet black glossy body, snow white band around his neck, and they his bright red head is like a neon sign saying look at me. And if that isn't enough to get our attention then he drills away like an automatic jack hammer and it seems like you can hear him miles away.  For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  And He is before all things, and by him all things consist.  Col 1:16-17

There are so many contrasts in nature...everywhere you look if you pay attention. And that is not unlike the family of God. Throughout the Bible there are many people of God that stand out, their personalities big and colorful, their missions bold and conspicuous. And then there are many people in the Bible that are simple and quiet, unassuming and subtle. In nature God created each and every creature just how he wants them to be for a particular purpose...HIS purpose. And he did the same with all his children...God made each and every person to be exactly what he wants them to be.  This is a very important lesson to remember...we are not all the same and not called to the same kind of life, style of life, or purpose in life.  "What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe--as the Lord has assigned to each his task." 1 Corinthians 3:5.  God created some of his children to serve big and colorful lives, in the limelight or public eye. Others he created to be more in the background, subtle, unassuming, live quiet lives. And that is wonderful...it is wonderful that we all have our places in life..." As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace." 1 Peter 4:10...whether we live in the city, in the country, in a penthouse or a trailer, whether we are single or married, have 15 children or none....God is using us in one way or another. It doesn't matter whether we own a fortune 100 company, or whether we are a stay-at- home mommy, whether we make the news or can't even afford to buy a newspaper to read the news we are made by God for a special purpose and a special life and we should be seeking out that purpose, praising God, and rejoicing in who God made us.

Romans 12:4-10

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;  if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerful