What’s your pick? Before the big bad wolf came along the three little pigs, in the children’s story, made choices of building materials they would use for their houses. The idea was to escape the wolf’s attacks. Today we can learn from this folktale to improve our spiritual houses. Straw, sticks, or bricks, what’s your pick?

Although there are several versions of the story there is general agreement on these elements: the little pigs, having outgrown there residence with mom, were informed by her they would have to find their own place to live. They were told to take care that the wolf did not catch them. The three built their homes of three different materials straw, sticks or bricks.

Pig number one built his house of straw, number two built his house of sticks and pig three built his house of bricks. Pigs one and two quickly built their respective homes and then went over to watch the third pig as he worked longer and harder to get his house ready for the inevitable onslaught by the crafty “big bad wolf”. Pig number one and pig number two danced and sang their way to their brother’s work in progress.

The final outcome reveals the third pig was able to withstand the attacks of the wolf. The wolf was defeated. The other two swine came to an untimely end in one version. In another, they made a hasty retreat to the brick house, begging for help from their wise sibling.

All had been given the same instruction, opportunity, and access to resources. The significant difference between the outcomes for the trio were their choices.  Straw, sticks or bricks, what’s your pick?

What can we learn from this folktale?

Although fictitious, what we can gather is real. Generally the reasons folktales are handed down from generation to generation is because of the inherent truth they convey. The characters usually face some conflict that they resolve in ways that real people might.

Minimally, each pig appeared to want to achieve the same things by following the instructions of their parent. They were all equipped with training, talents and physical resources. Each faced a vital mission, with a common adversary.

Under Construction

As adults we are expected to construct our own households by making vital choices. At times even before adulthood we may abruptly be in a position where we have been physically, or emotionally abandoned, left to fend for ourselves.  No matter what the case is, how we begin is less important than how we proceed once we have sight of the mission, and the adversary.

What is your mission? What tools to you have to achieve that mission? What can you do to strengthen your house against attacks?  Have you made the best use of your time? Are you open to collaborate with others to share strategies for defeating the adversary?

Defeat the Wolf

When I think of a life-threatening marauder, seeking to steal my joy, and my very life, I think of the enemy; called Satan. Like the wolf he is cunning and knows how to catch me off guard. He will allow me to fashion my house in haste so that he may come along and destroy my work. He will attack me when I believe I am safe. He will distract me to prevent me from following the instruction I have been given.

I have access to God. I have a 24-hour timeframe daily. I have gifts and talents. I can engage my resources to reach the goal set before me by God. I get to choose how I will spend my time. I can give due diligence to building my structure. I can help others to do the same.

I choose to build my house of bricks. I choose to invest the time to maintain a relationship with God, read the Bible, and seek His way of doing and being right. Building my house of bricks involves me establishing, and maintaining an intimate relationship with God, impenetrable by the adversary.

The bonds of love in that relationship will resemble the toughness of bricks as I continue to work on my house. I choose to construct my house with those bricks, while there is still time.

Straw, sticks or bricks, what’s your pick? It’s up to you. We are all under construction as long as we have breath.

Take Inventory and Take Action!

Love,

Deborah

“Lighting the path to loving your neighbor as yourself.”