Don't Let Anyone Steal Your Joy

December 14, 2025
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Reflections from the Heart of Allan Redenius
As I was walking along the edge of my woods the other day, I met a unicorn.  Now I know right away you are skeptical, but you weren't there.  Besides, it's my story. 😊
 
Like Winnie the Pooh, who has his 100-acre woods in which to live, I live near what I call my 12-acre woods.  In Pooh’s 100-acre woods, lives a menagerie of his friends, Tigger, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit, Owl, and of course the unseen, always to be feared heffalumps and woozles, who steal your honey when you aren’t looking.  So, it is in my 12-acre woods.  I too have a menagerie of friends who sometimes come to visit me, Dory the Deer, Bobby the Bunny, Sammy the Squirrel, Owly Owl, among a host of others.  Two years ago, a heffalump disguised as a cougar ran by chasing Dory the Deer on a dead run.  For Dory, it was run, or be dead.
 
After years of peace and tranquility in my 12-acre woods, woozles have appeared.  Four woozles, disguised as hunters, have bought my 12-acre woods and now use it for their urban deer hunt.  All those who live around cheer as Dory and her friends are picked off from above.  Why?  “Because the deer are eating my petunias.”  There is sadness among my friends in my 12-acre woods.  
 
That sadness prompted Unicorn to come and meet me at the edge of my 12-acre woods.  She had the appearance like a horse, graceful and strong, bringing purity, magic, and an untamed wildness about her.  With her that day, she brought foreboding wisdom.  “Who will care about those who live in the 12-acre woods when you are no more?”  Indeed, the neighborhood cares more about petunias and woozles than those who live in my 12-acre woods.  I turned around and as magically as Unicorn appeared, she disappeared.
 
What's the lesson from this unicorn story?  Guard your heart, lest woozles and heffalumps move in and steal who you are.  You ask, “What do I have to lose?”  If you love Jesus, holiness and joy are on display in your life.  Don't let a woozle or a heffalump move into your neighborhood, called your heart.  They will steal your joy.
 
Looking out for my friends in the forest.  Looking out for you.  
 
Love and blessings,
Pastor Allan
 
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