It was a beautiful Sunday morning. Todd sat out on the patio, finishing his brisket sandwich.
“How can such a cheap piece of meat taste so delicious,” he
lamented, smacking his lips at the rich smokey flavor.
Taking a long sip from his sweet tea, he wiped his mouth and
tucked the napkin under the plate.
“Man, if I could cook brisket like this, that’s the only
thing I would cook.”
Just then, the sliding glass door pushed open.
“Ready for some dessert?” His beautiful auburn hair fiancé
asked. She held a plate loaded with freshly made banana pudding. Serving spoon
dug deep into the creamy delight. Two
bowls balanced in her other hand.
“Oh babe, I don’t know.” Todd patting his thin stomach.
“That sandwich had at least a half pound of meat in it.”
“Okay” she turned to return to the kitchen.
“WAIT! Wait… maybe I could have just a small scoop.”
Smiling Ellie made a u-turn and brought the dish to the
table. She spooned an oversized mound into the dessert bowl, handing it over to
Todd. When he didn’t take it, but indicated to scoop another spoonful in, she
let out a chuckle.
“I thought you said you were full!”
He glared at her. “Well there is full, and then there is
FULL.” Patting his stomach again, but rounding it like Santa Claus. “I wouldn’t
want to pass up the sampling of your moms’ famous banana pudding. It just wouldn’t
be right.”
There were days when Todd couldn’t believe what a great life
he had. A beautiful girl, a house sitting on the edge of the bay, and a job he
loved. There was only one thing that was missing. He had not yet perfected his
smoked brisket.
Ellie plopped down on the lawn chair. “So when do you do the
presentation for the water works?”
It had been a funny topic of conversation. Todd had a bid on
the Water Works for a filtration system. Every time he talked about it he
called it the poop plant.
Setting his empty bowl down, “Early next week, that is if
everything goes well with the contract.” Todd stretched his long legs out.
Gathering up the bowls, Ellie stood. “Well you know it’s a
good plan. So let’s just hope they appreciate all the work you have put into
it.”
“Let’s have some people over on Saturday.” A tone of
excitement gathering In his voice. “I’ve been wanting to try a new rub on the
brisket I’ve got in the fridge.”
“Really? Again? Why do you keep changing the rub?”
Frustration filled her voice. “How many times to do you have to try something
new? You know how much I liked the last one you fixed.”
Todd was never happy with his brisket. Oh sure it tasted
okay and it was tender enough, but he felt that it could be better. Every time
he came home with brisket from yet another BarB Que restaurant, he just knew he
could do better.
“Besides,” Ellie continued, “my mom will be here for the
weekend and I wanted to spend some time with her, not the smoker.”
They say opposites attract. Things have always been a bit of
a struggle with Ellie. Todd likes ice cream, Ellie likes cake. Todd is always
hot, Ellie always cold. Todd likes action movies, Ellie Rom-Com. There is
nothing they seem to agree on, except love. It was love at first sight. Todd
met Ellie at a charity dance. When their eyes met, there was magic. He swept
her off her feet and they have been together ever since.
“I think I need to go home.” Ellie placed the dishes in the
sink and headed for her purse.
Todd jumped up from his chair. “But babe, its early. Can’t
you stay and watch the football game with me?”
Ellie let out a huge sigh. “Todd, you know I don’t care a
thing about football. Besides I have an early appointment tomorrow, so I’d like
to get on home.
“Fine, be that way. I just thought we could spend some time
together, you know, snuggling.” He made a kissy sound.
Rolling her eyes, she gave Todd a peck on his cheek. “You can snuggle with that football you always
have handy. Besides I need to write a few more pages on my novel.”
Todd, always encouraged her with her writing. Todd walked
her to the door. “Well, I hope you can make some good progress.”
“Thanks babe. See you later.”
Todd slumped down into the recliner, upping the sound on the
TV. If only he could gather the nerve to ask Ellie to set the date. He had asked
her to marry him at Christmas but they had not moved forward with any plans.
“Lord give me the courage to ask Ellie about a wedding date.
I really want to be married. Not a bachelor in waiting.” He sighed. Just then
he heard a crash at his picture window. He jumped up and ran towards the living
room. As he looked around, he didn’t see anything. Grabbing his jacket, he
walked outside. There on the ground lay a little bird. A pretty little thing, his wing laying to the
side. Todd didn’t know what to do. He kneeled next to the little bird and
looked into its eyes. Just then the bird opened his eyes and looked at Todd.
Todd’s breath whooshed out as he fell back onto his heels.
“Hey there little birdie. Are you hurt?”
No response. He figured the bird was kind of in shock. So,
Todd backed up and walked back into the house. He went back to the picture
window and just watched. He figured if the bird was injured, a predator would be
around to take care of it.
But just as he was turning away, he saw another little bird
fly over to the injured little one. He hopped and flew trying to get the little
one to respond. Back and forth it went. Flying up and down, hopping chirping
and waving his wings. Todd figured it must be the little birds’ mate. It did
not give up. Finally, the little injured bird roused and sat on its tiny legs. Waving
its wings, as if trying to see if they were injured. After a while, Todd went
to the table to grab his iced tea. When he returned, the birds were gone.
“What happened?” he questioned himself. “That was a quick recovery.”
Then it hit him. Leave it to the little birds to remind him of an important truth.
He felt the Lord had answered his prayer. How tender of the Lord to care for
even the smallest creatures. The mate had come close to losing the little bird.
But with diligence, cared for it as best he knew how. Todd would ask Ellie
tonight to set the wedding date. Because he did not need to waste any more time.
In the book of Job 12: 7-12 it says, “But ask the animals and they will
instruct you; ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you….” What a
beautiful truth to be revealed. We all need the assurance from the Lord. Even in
the littlest of things.
