In the last story, Haley had some of her things mysteriously taken during the night. It turned out that Daniel the raccoon was taking them because raccoons are curious and are attracted to shiny things. One question remained, ‘Where was Daniel putting the things after he took them? That’s what Joe and Haley had to find out! They searched the entire house, but they could not find any of the things that Daniel had taken. Then Joe had a great idea! He said, “Haley, why don’t you try following Daniel, he will probably lead you to his hiding place and then you can get your things back. Be sure to not follow him too closely otherwise he will get nervous and not lead you to his hideout!
So, Haley began following Daniel around the farm. At first it seemed like the idea was going to work, Daniel lead Haley out the front door of the house and then he crawled under the porch. Haley thought, “This is almost too easy! I will find my things in just a couple of minutes!” But it did not work out that way! Under the porch it was dark and there were lots of spider webs with bugs caught in them! The ground was covered with rocks and Haley had to crawl over those rocks on her stomach! She bumped her head several times on the bottom of the porch floor and dirt fell in her hair and down into her clothes! After all that, Daniel just crawled out the other side of the porch and went waddling across the yard toward the barn.
By the time Haley got out from under the porch she had to run to catch up with Daniel! Haley went into the barn just in time to see Daniel climbing up into the hayloft! Of course Daniel has sharp claws on his toes, so he was able to get his claws in between gaps in the boards and climb right up the wall! Haley had to run halfway down the barn to get to the ladder! When Haley got up in the hayloft it took a few minutes for her eyes to adjust to the dim light, and then she could not believe what she saw! Daniel was climbing on the rafters way up by the roof! Haley was kind of scared of heights, but she had to follow Daniel, so she got up her courage and climbed up onto the rafters! Haley was hanging on tight and could not look down because she was so high in the air. Daniel did not seem afraid at all, he just walked along the rafters until he got to a special spot! Daniel was high in the air right above a huge pile of hay! Daniel jumped into the hay and then trotted over to the ladder and climbed down out of the hayloft! Haley had no choice, she had to jump too! She closed her eyes tight and tried not to scream (she did not want Daniel to know that she was following him) and then she let go of the rafter and fell into the hay. Actually it was very easy! There was only one problem, there were some thistles mixed in with the hay! So, Haley had a very prickly landing!
Haley got out of the barn as fast as she could and in the distance saw Daniel heading across the field to the Black River! Haley ran after Daniel and saw him climb down the bank at the edge of the river! Haley thought that maybe Daniel had buried her things by the river, so she quietly climbed out on a tree limb over the river so that she could watch what Daniel was doing. She could not believe what she saw! Daniel was not digging up anything! He was taking a bath! It made sense because Daniel was all dusty and dirty after crawling under the porch and jumping in the hay. Just then Haley slipped and fell with a scream into the river! That scared Daniel and he jumped a foot in the air, turned around and began running! Haley splashed to shore and began running after Daniel! Daniel ran through the forest until he came to a certain tree. He scrambled up the side of this tree and disappeared into a hole in the side of the tree! The tree was hollow!
Now Haley understood everything! Daniel did not want to live in their barn, he had made his own home in that hollow tree, and Haley was sure that her missing things were in that hollow tree. So, Haley climbed up that tree and stuck her head into that hole. Of course she slipped and ended up sliding head first into the hole in the side of the tree! She looked funny with her head, shoulders, arms, and most of her body inside the tree and only her legs sticking out! Daniel was surprised when Haley slid head-first into his house, but he reached up with his front paws and patted Haley on the nose! He was happy to have her come to visit. Haley could see her purple and green ring, her volleyball trophy, and her cell phone! Haley said to Daniel, “I will make a deal with you, I will let you keep the ring and the trophy, but I need the cell phone.” So, Haley took the cell phone and then wiggled and wiggled backwards and, in a few minutes, she fell backwards out of the tree! Luckily the ground was soft, so she did not hurt herself, but she did land on another thistle.
Back at the farmhouse Haley told Joe all about the great chase around the farm and how she finally found Daniel’s home and found her missing things. Joe said, “That great chase reminds me of a Bible story. Did you know that God had a very special job for Moses to do and God kept going after Moses until Moses was ready and willing to do that special job. First God protected Moses from being killed by Pharaoh and arranged for Moses to be adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter. But Moses could not do God’s special job while he was living in the palace of Pharaoh, so God allowed Moses to get into trouble and Moses had to leave the palace and run for his life. God allowed Moses to take care of sheep in the desert for 40 years, then God knew that Moses was ready to do the special job, so one day God spoke to Moses from a bush that was on fire but did not burn up. God told Moses to go back to Pharaoh and to free the people of Israel who were slaves of Pharaoh. Moses did not want to go and made a lot of excuses, but God kept after Moses (just like Haley kept chasing Daniel) until Moses was ready for the challenge. Moses did the big job that God had for him, and God was with him every step of the way!”
Life Application:
God has a special job for each of us in this life. He will keep chasing after us and give us the chance to accept Him as our Savior, and then to accept the challenge to do the special job that He has for us in this life.
In the Bible in Ephesians 2:10 it says:
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.
In the Bible in Jeremiah 29:11 God says:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
God is not content to let His children just drift through this life with no purpose. When a person gives their life to Jesus by praying and asking to be forgiven for their sins, God begins something new in their life! If a person chooses not to follow God with their whole heart and life, they end up missing so much!
God has a plan for each of us, it will be difficult and challenging at times, but it will be fulfilling and your life will not be boring! Please follow and serve Jesus with all that is in you, with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, it is worth it!