Butter and Honey

Good Family Reading

This book is one that I bought many years ago and it has patiently waited on the shelf for the right time.  We finally started reading it a few weeks ago and couldn't 'bee' more pleased.  This book is about two children spending the summer with their grandparents; but the real stories happen in the evening when Grandma sits down to tell the children a character story, almost always something related to the events of their day.  The character qualities shared in A Hive of Busy Bees are:

• Bee Obedient
• Bee Honest
• Bee Truthful
• Bee Kind
• Bee Polite
• Bee Gentle
• Bee Helpful
• Bee Careful
• Bee Grateful
• Bee Loving
• Bee Accepted
• Bee Confident
• Bee Content
• Bee Giving
• Bee Clean
• Bee Forgiving
• Bee Prayerful

Well, the story last night was so, SO good.  I would love to share it here with you all but do not want to infringe on any copyright issues, so I will just give you the overview of the story in my own words.  The character quality was Bee Giving and told the story of Cripple Tom, a  boy born crippled, orphaned at  a young age, and now cared for by a woman he calls Granny, living in the third floor attic in the slums of London long ago.   He works when he can, sweeping or any little job he can find, but his health finally sends him to his bed for good.  While alone and hungry so often, he remembers many nights spent huddled inside of a warm mission where they spoke of a man called Jesus.  He realizes there must be something more to learn about this man and so desires a Bible.  Granny barely feeds Tom and will not spare the money to buy something needless as a Bible.  Then he is visited by a friend who is leaving the city for better prospects.  As a parting gift he gives Tom a bright new shilling and is told only to spend it on something he really wants.  Tom knows what he really wants and pleads with his friend to go quickly to buy a Bible for him before the shops close for the night.  His friend reluctantly agrees and Tom's greatest wish is fulfilled.  Over the next months his body dwindles as his faith grows.  He learns the way of salvation, with the Holy Spirit as his teacher, and he learns that being obedient to the will of God means sharing Jesus with others.  But what could he do, alone in his room with no visitors?  He offers to give up his portion of milk if Granny will instead buy him paper.  He then writes verses, as the Lord directs, folds the papers up, prays over them, and drops them out of his window onto the sidewalk below. 
You'll have to buy the book if you want to read the rest - but I will tell you that I choked up several times at this very tender and touching story of a simple faith and a child willing to truly give his all for the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is also a second book - Another Hive of Busy Bees.

it's Lynne again

12:27, Monday, June 22, 2009 .. Posted by Anonymous

What a great story!
i have my niece for the week and she so wanted to watch spongebob so i am here at my mother inlaws house and she has cable.
So i decided to go to your site and i was able to draw her away from TV. {she turned it off without delay} Praise God and i read her this story now we have a mission to find this book!
May the LORD GOD bless you and yours
I am praying for that phone call today that you missed on Friday
with the love of Jesus,
Lynne E