The Three Little Pigs

It’s fair time in the panhandle, and with fairs, come show animals. You have your steers and heifers to look at, the beautiful horses to admire; and even, rabbits, hens, and roosters, oh my. The sheep and the goats might draw you in, but who can resist going in the swine barn. Okay…some might. But there are some famous pigs, and they deserve their time in the spotlight.

I always loved to watch Green Acres, and I personally felt like Arnold stole the show. Then, there was Ralph, the famous swimming pig at Aquarena Springs in San Marcos. I got acquainted with him back in my college days. You can join his facebook page if you like. He seems to still be quite popular.

Now that I have established that I know some famous pigs, I have to add that I know nothing about pigs. I grew up in the country, but we just had cattle, horses, and dogs (and goats and sheep for awhile). No, never really been around pigs until my daughter decided she wanted to show pigs.

Sarah loves animals—all shapes and sizes. She begged and pleaded to show a lamb. Jeff just wasn’t interested in a lamb. His family had been in the lamb business at one time, and he was convinced that they will die if you look at them wrong. Plus, he said, “They are just too stupid.” (Aren’t you glad God compares us to sheep.) So Jeff and Sarah bartered back and forth until they settled on getting a pig to show. Keep in mind I said, “A pig.”

We also had to explain the hard reality of show animals. After you spend all that time feeding them, grooming them, and loving them…you have to sell them. And when you sell them, they don’t go to greener pastures. They eventually end up on someone’s dinner plate. Sarah knew the realities, but she still wanted a pig.

It was about this time last year that they headed out to buy a pig. The county agent went with them to help them select a swine of perfect breeding, one that would catch the judge’s eyes. Well, when Sarah got out there, the little piggies were all sooo cute. It was hard for her to make up her mind. She liked the one the agent suggested, but there was another one that caught her eye as well. The owner didn’t hesitate to add that he would sell one pig for $350, but you could get two for $500.

When Jeff and Sarah got home, they informed me that we were going to have two pigs. They said, “It would be a good idea to have two. In case one gets sick, you have a back-up, or one may develop better than the other. It was a good deal.” Jeff would pick them up later in the week.

Later in the week came, and Jeff went to get the pigs. I eagerly waited for his return so I could check out the new Greenlee additions, even if it would be for just a few months. The trailer pulled up, and I ran out to see the little darlins. I started counting: one, two, three little pigs! How did we get three pigs? I looked up at Jeff and he gave me a sheepish little grin. He said, “The pig farmer knew Sarah had a hard time deciding which twin she wanted so he thought she needed them both.” So we had the one the county agent liked, and then, we had a set of twins. Perfect. Who could ask for more?

We may not have asked for more, but three pigs did take more. They took more shelter, more water, and more feed (lots more feed). And show feed is not cheap. But quickly their new home took shape. The three little pigs seemed to enjoy their new digs.

Sarah got home from school that day ready to begin her project. She knew it would take lots of time and work, but she was ready for the challenge. She headed out to the pen and couldn’t believe she had three pigs. Sarah was thrilled. (Not, exactly the same reaction I had.)

Now, let’s see…they have to have names. I know, we aren’t going to get attached, but they still need names. We all weighed in on the matter. These pigs had lots of personality. What would be fitting of such a threesome? Watching them wallow around and snort: Larry, Moe, and Curly seemed to just fit.

The next few months were filled with hard work for Sarah. She got up before school and fed The Three Stooges. When she got home from school, she fed them and walked them and brushed them. She put in countless hours with the pigs.

Sarah enjoyed spending time with Larry, Moe, and Curly. They were fun and entertaining. I know, we are not supposed to get attached. But they all had such distinct personalities.

Larry was the eater of the three. He would start making grunts the minute he heard someone rummaging in the shed. When Larry received his food, passion ensued to the point that his eyes would roll back in his head as he ate. Whether Larry was eating, sleeping, or wallowing around, he could always be heard.

Moe was the awnry one of the bunch. He was the first one to come at you when you entered the pens. Moe would sniff you down; and if you weren’t careful, he would bite you! I kept my eye on that one. I wasn’t bothered by the thought of him ending up at the auction.

Then there was Curly. He was (hands down) everybody’s favorite. As pigs go, he ruled. What a sweetheart! Curly would greet you with a “how-do-you-do” snort and a smile. Yes, this little piggy smiled. I promise. He loved for you to rub his back. He just had so much personality, and he was the one that the county agent said, “Had potential.” We loved Curly.

Our time with the three little pigs flew by. Before we knew it, they grew into the three big pigs, and it was show time. Sarah was ready to see the rewards of all her hard work. Jeff and Sarah loaded up the pigs and headed to the stock show.

The country pigs were in the city now. They seemed a little stressed, but surely, they would settle into their surroundings. They were acting like little kids who behave great at home; but when they go somewhere and discover they have an audience, they start running around and acting like they have never been taught a thing.

Curly was the first one to be shown in his class. Remember all the high hopes we had for him. The hopes were quickly gone as we saw him enter the show ring. Curly started running around the ring. Oh, no. They aren’t supposed to run. You could see the horror on Sarah’s face as she tried to wrangle Curly around. The judge slowly, I mean slowly took his time placing the pigs. Curly was pinned first. That meant he got last. Curly, last place? It was like Sarah had the air knocked out of her. All that hard work she put in (not her parents, like so many), and she got last.

Okay, a little pep talk. We have two more to go. Let’s put this behind us and regroup. “You did everything you were supposed to do to prepare for this day. It will be alright. We have two more pigs to go,” I told Sarah.

Larry and Moe were up next. Since they were in the same class, Colton was recruited to show one. He was thrilled, especially after he saw how well Curly did. With the optimism of a true mom, I went around the ring and found a good spot to record the event.

Sarah came out first with Larry. He started running around. Then Colton came out with Moe. Moe just ran to the edge of the ring and started rubbing on the panels. I could see the humiliation in the face of my kids. The crowd started laughing and saying, “Look at Scratchy.”

Tears were welling up in my children’s eyes as they glanced at each other. They were doing their best to get through the experience and keep it together. A few times in desperation, they snickered as they would pass one another. All I can say is, “You know it’s bad, when I stop recording and turn the camera off.” It’s hard to imagine, but they didn’t get dead last. At that point, Sarah and Colton didn’t care. They just wanted it to be over.

That night, we said our sad goodbyes to the pigs and headed home. It had been a very, very long day. We all sat in my bed bewildered. We couldn’t believe what had happened. We cried for a little bit; and then, as we were going over the day’s events, we couldn’t help but to start laughing. What else could we do?

We talked about what we learned from this experience. One, it is okay to fail. Even with the best of intentions and hard work, we sometimes fail. Two, sometimes you have to laugh at yourself. Third, never name pigs after The Three Stooges!

I Pick You

I remember starting first grade (yes, I remember back that far), and white, patent leather go-go boots were all the rage. All my friends had them, and I wanted to slide my feet into a pair as well. So my mom took me shopping. But excitement turned to dismay when I learned that the cute little girl boots didn’t come in my size. Why… my size you might ask. Well, it was an adult size 7. A little large for a six year old, I know. All of me was a little large for a six year old. My mom let me try on the adult go-go boots, but they looked “a little more go-go,” and I looked like I belonged more on a street corner than on a playground. I didn’t get to have go-go boots. I didn’t get to look like the cute little girls in my grade.

I didn’t just look like the other girls because I didn’t have go-go boots. I just didn’t look like them. My feet were big. I was two feet taller than most of them. I felt like a big, awkward klutz.

How I longed to be one of those petite little girls with the long curly blonde hair. Everyone always commented on how beautiful and cute they were. I would get, “My, what a big girl you are.” (Just what I wanted to hear.)

I especially noticed the difference when I was in a crowd of “the cute little girls.” How I longed to be the girl that got picked for whatever it was. Sometimes it was at a school assembly, and the performer was needing an assistant. He would glance through the crowd looking for someone to choose. Sometimes it was a teacher looking for just the right person to play the part in the Christmas play. In my heart I was hoping, “Pick me. Pick me.” They would give me a glance, but then point right at the pretty little girl with the perfectly curly hair. I felt like a female Charlie Brown.

I'm sure I'm not the only one that has felt that way. A lot of us don't get picked out of the crowd.

The good news is someone does pick us. God says, “I pick you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. I created you just the way you are and I love you.” God picks ME. All 5’9”, size 11 shoes. He sees me in a crowd and He says, “I pick you.” It just took me a few years to realize that.

The next time you feel insignificant, unnoticed, invisible, looked over, lost, unspecial (not a real word, but I have felt it) or …you're just wanting to be picked for a change. Go out side and look around. God’s fingerprint is on everything: the stars He placed in the heavens and knows by name, the magnificent ocean that rolls upon the shore, the mountain peaks that touch the sky, and the birds that sing a song of praise. Amongst all God’s mighty creation, He tells us in Psalms 139 that He created our inmost being. He knit us together in our mother’s womb. He made each one of us special and with a purpose in mind.

And I am reminded…that no matter where I am or who I am around, He looks straight at me with His eyes of grace and He says, “Dear one, I pick you.”

Golden Apples

My dad brought me some apples the other day so I decided to make an apple cobbler. While I was peeling the apples, I happened to look up at my calendar. Noticing the new month, I looked at the pretty design for September. "How fitting," I thought. Apple pies were sitting in the picture with the words that said, "Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket." Then I said to myself, "What beautiful words. I wonder who wrote that." Then I looked further down and saw Proverbs 25:11 NLT.

God has a way with words, doesn't He.

Now when I see apples, I'll think of this scripture.