Learning from Thumper

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I just love in the Disney cartoon Bambi where the little bunny Thumper is reminded to watch what he says and what he does. It is so cute how after being reminded by his mom, he has to repeat the wise words from his father, "If you can't say nothing nice then don't say nothing at all." This is such great wisdom that we can use in our lives everyday by what we say and do. 

Have you ever had a thought and was so tempted to speak it out or do something but felt prompted not to? Well...wisdom will do that. Wisdom is not obtained in one day..in fact it is a culmination of experiences and/or misadventures that brings a person to a point that they have a new level of understanding and behavior. Thankfully we can learn by other's mistakes and we have the ability to be "ahead of the class" so to speak IF we allow ourselves to be open and teachable.


In the cartoon, Thumper has to repeat at two different instances some things that his father just told him that very day. One was about not saying anything if it isn't nice and the other was about not eating just the flowering part of a plant and then leaving the green stems. His mother is there reminding him and getting him to repeat the advice outloud so that he will remember and also be accountable to the people around him.

What things have the Father reminded you of lately? He speak to us all and gives us words of wisdom, promises and encouragement. The Bible is overflowing with fabulous things that we need to make a part of "us". We need to repeat them daily and live by them because they bring life and hope. And if we have something wonderful in us then we have the ability to give something wonderful to others as well. 

What can we learn from Thumper? Well, that none of us are perfect and most of us need reminding from time to time of who we are and what we should be saying and doing. We all need a mentor that we are learning from because we never should stop growing and NEVER should stop learning. We need to respect those in authority over us and appreciate what they offer us and know that even if we are in a situation that is less-than tolerable...well...there is always something beneficial to be gleaned. 

2 Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed - that exhilarating finish in and with God - he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. 3 When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! 4 In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through - all that bloodshed! 5 So don't feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children? My dear child, don't shrug off God's discipline, but don't be crushed by it either. 6 It's the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects. 7 God is educating you; that's why you must never drop out. He's treating you as dear children. This trouble you're in isn't punishment; it's training, 8 the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? 9 We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God's training so we can truly live? 10 While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God's holy best. 11 At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God. 12 So don't sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! 13Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it! 14 Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse of God. 15 Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time.                             Hebrews 12: 1-15 The Message Bible

Make sure you are repeating the wise words from your Father today...it will bring life to you as be a blessing to the people you encounter. I love you much and don't forget WHO and WHOSE you are...children of the Most High God :))

Adjust that crown!

Jonna