All Creatures Great & Small
The Beatitudes of Creator’s Son, Jesus
by
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“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (New International Version, Matt. 5.3)
Benjamin was a quiet beaver. He had lived most of his adult life in solitude doing what he did best. Benjamin was his name, construction was his game. The only time the other animals of the forest ever remembered he was around was in the spring when the sound of sawing and slapping of water were heard at the riverbank. It was during this time of the year that Benjamin constructed and repaired the series of dams that would keep the river from flooding during the coming rainy season.
“Bzzzzzzzz - slap, slap, slap, - bzzzzzz.” A group of field mice traveling down the path to the river were startled by the strange loud sounds. “What is THAT??!!” Mandy asked her mom. “I’ve never heard such weird noises before!”
“Why, honey, that’s just Mr. Beaver working on his dams. Hello there, Mr. Beaver!”
“Uuhhh…..gdd mning, Ms.Mssss” Benjamin tried to get the wood shavings out of his mouth so he could speak more clearly. He took a long drink out of the river and turned to greet the mice. They were already scurrying past his work area. “Hey, would anyone care for some breakfast?” he called after them.
Mrs. Mouse turned and called out over her shoulder. “Not today, dear. I’m afraid we’re late for an appointment as it is! Thanks so much for the offer though. Maybe another day….”
Benjamin shrugged and set his attention back on the work at hand. He wasn’t really lonely. It’s just that he would like having some companionship every now and then. Sometimes he wished that he were more bold, more boisterous—able to walk up to any other animal in the forest and start a conversation. But that just wasn’t who he was. He had once apologized to Creator for not being more outgoing and more sociable. Creator had just smiled and told him not to try to be what he was not. “One day, Benjamin” Creator smiled, “one day.”
It wasn’t that Benjamin didn’t care about the other animals of the forest. He just couldn’t stand the thought of calling any attention to himself. Many times he would overhear conversations as different ones came to the river for water. Like the time Deidra was collecting fruit for the lonely bear cub, Boaz. He had found some very succulent fruit from the papaya tree on the east bank and added them to the berries she had collected. And he was excellent with directions, often helping young animals find their way back to their homes in the evenings after they’d had a hard day at play. More than once he had supplied a sick family with roots from the azulla tree, which was known for its medicinal qualities. He always did his best to remain anonymous, knowing that any talents he had or gifts he could give really came from Creator Himself. He led a fulfilling life, only now and then he dreamt of having someone to talk to, someone with whom he could share his life.
One fine spring morning, Benjamin was surveying his handiwork. His series of dams were almost complete. “We’re ready for the rain,” he thought. He swam about, testing the sturdiness of the different walls. “Yes sir, I believe we’re ready now. Thank you Creator, for helping me do the work that I was created to do.”
“Wwhhhhhoooooooo-wwhhooooooooo!!” The loud call of Owen the owl pierced the peaceful, early morning sounds of the water flowing around the dams. “Benjamin, where are you, son?!”
“I’m right here, sir.” The old owl was perched atop the stick-and-mud wall that Benjamin was checking.
“I see that you’ve completed your job in an excellent manner as usual” Owen complimented.
“It’s just the ability Creator gave me that did it, sir.”
“And it’s good to see that your workmanship hasn’t gone to your head, son! Very good, indeed. I’m here to ask your assistance in a matter several miles downstream from our community. It seems that another group of animals living about ten miles south of here has had a major injury to their chief dam-builder. The other beavers in the colony have tried to fill in for him, but it appears that their work will not withstand the coming floods. Would you be willing to lend your mouth and tail to the job? The whole community down there could depend on it!”
(read on to find out how leaning completely on Creator’s provision and mercy brings us truly into His Kingdom!)
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About the Book
All Creatures Great and Small is a collection of nine charming allegories set within the Creator’s forest. As each story unfolds, the happenings and mishaps of its furry and feathered characters illustrate each of the nine beatitudes of Jesus. All Creatures Great and Small seeks to paint a beautiful picture of all that believers might hope to be through following the teachings of Christ.
Linda Read has a precious heart after the Lord. Her book on the beatitudes illustrates Jesus’s core sermon with lovable characters in a way that children will understand. I pray that many parents will read this to their little ones and teach their children about God’s heart and His Kingdom from a very young age. In Mozambique, we have discipleship with the children each week and read stories about God’s love, power, and glory. Our children will be the world changers, walking in the legacy we pour into them and in even greater things than we have seen. We look forward to reading this story with our treasures and we hope that you will enjoy it as well.
Heidi G. Baker, PhD
Co-Founder and Director of Iris Global
What an honor and joy it has been to read Linda’s first children’s book! In the stories I could see the heart of God portrayed so beautifully through the lives of the animals. My prayer is that all the children, teens and adults who read Linda’s book will have their eyes opened to the loving God who desires to have a relationship with us, just as He did with the animals in the stories.
So, grab a tall glass of iced tea and enjoy a new perspective on the beatitudes.
Carol Boening - Life-long friend and Director of AWANA,
First Baptist Church, Yoakum, Texas
As these animals live daily life in the forest, they teach lessons that both children and adults often face. These delightfully quirky animals handle many different scenarios in a Biblical and valuable way.
This book is written in such a way that it will appeal to both children and adults. As Leah the eagle finds love, and Benjamin Beaver discovers the value of his spiritual presence in others’ lives, children learn how to handle difficult emotions, and discover their Christ-centered identity, and adults are reminded where true identity comes from. In reading this book to their children, parents will open up a world of possibility and discovery. It will also allow room for conversation and growth of relationship.
Randy Turner - South Campus Pastor,
Beltway Park Church, Abilene, Texas
About the Author
Linda Read has known the Lord since she was five years old and has been ministering to youth for most of her life. Several years of working as one of the children’s pastors at First Assembly Church in Yoakum, Texas were followed by five wonderful years as a youth pastor with her husband, Jimmy, at New Life Fellowship Church in Seguin, Texas.
Aside from youth ministry, Linda also has a deep passion for ministering to the Lord through song and has served as a praise and worship leader in churches and conferences throughout the world.
For the past ten years, she and her husband have served in Mozambique, Africa as missionaries with Iris Minstries. There, they loved and ministered to orphaned, abused, and abandoned children. They have six Mozambican sons and continue to minister and write full-time.