Our family has a donkey named Juan

There is a donkey in my family named Juan. Juan lives with my brother and sister-in-law in Ashland, Ohio. From the beginning, when Juan arrived as a young colt, he has been obstinate and hard to get along with.

Forget about Juan doing any work, like pulling a cart or riding kids on his back!

When Juan was young and refused to come to the barn at night, my brother-in-law would pick him up and carry him, and basically tuck him in for the night to keep him safe. In spite of doing nothing other than annoying the neighbors with his six a.m. brays for breakfast, Juan is loved by my brother-in-law.

I can’t say the rest of the family adores Juan, but they like the guy. He is his own man.

Juan reminds me of most of us. We do our own thing, forcing God to “pick us up and move us to safety” at times. We complain if our prayers aren’t answered quick enough, and are sure to let everyone know if God makes us mad. All the while, God loves us in spite of ourselves. We just have a way about us that makes God smile.

How has your summer been? Your day been?

Did you get up at six complaining, and have you balked at everything you were asked to do so far today?

Have you taken time to be grateful for the barn, for the food provided, and for the One who watches out for you, even though we tend to be pains every now and then?

I hope that as I age people will have more to say about me than “she is a stubborn thing but we love her anyway.” Go to the barn happy tonight.”

Blessings to you as you live in God’s grace - Regina