Menopausal Maladies – Chips
Gracie & Big Kitty a.k.a. Captain Greybeard Lesson
I was over at Rebecca & Keith’s house the other day watching Bella while they did a little blueberry picking.
The family has acquired three kittens (Boots, Scar Face & Chip), and this was the first time I saw them. We were talking about the kittens, and then Keith warned me not to be surprised if the big grey cat jumped up outside at the window.
Now, I remembered “Big Kitty“.
I first got a good look at Big Kitty (or who I have since learned is called Captain Greybeard) one day before Keith & Rebecca went on their trip out west.
Now, I had been hearing about Big Kitty (sorry Captain, I like Big Kitty better) being this feral cat that was living out back, hid on the other side of the chain link fence and wouldn’t let anyone near it.
Gracie wanted to be it’s friend.
Well, on that particular day, I actually got a good look at Big Kitty. Gracie was at the fence petting him! So needless to say, after all that I had been hearing about the cat I was surprised!
Rebecca told me that Gracie was the only one that the cat would let near it. I watched Gracie run over to the fence, call the cat, the cat would come over, let her pet him through the fence, she would run off again and he would either sit there and watch her, or disappear into the bushes.
Now, I will say I saw Remy wander over once or twice, but being a typical boy, he didn’t approach the fence in quite a “gentle manner” (let’s just say a foot was involved), and Big Kitty didn’t stay around when he approached.
While the family was away for a few weeks, they found upon their return, Big Kitty waiting for them on the front porch, and I believe he has decided to adopt the family as his. He is quite comfortable coming in and out of their house.
So imagine my surprise when Big Kitty who a few weeks ago, who wouldn’t even approach people, came in the house, rubbed against each of the children present and then what really surprised me walked over and rubbed up against my leg and proceeded to let me pet him!
He then proceeded to lay down on the floor and play a little bit and groom himself. A cat quite at home.
While Bella was napping, and kittens were napping and playing, I watched Big Kitty laying on the floor and thought about the first time I saw him.
I thought back to that picture in my mind of Gracie’s little fingers reaching through the chain link fence.
Reaching out. Showing love.
She just kept trying with Big Kitty to win his heart…to win his trust.
Big Kitty was trying to do it on his own. He didn’t trust her. He didn’t trust her love.
The Holy Spirit spoke to me and asked….isn’t that really how we are with God?
We try to do it on our own all the time. We don’t trust Him. We don’t trust His love.
But look what happens when we trust. Look how our lives change. Look how our family gets bigger! Look how our life gets better!
Accepting that love, receiving that love, doesn’t mean we won’t have trouble. It doesn’t mean we won’t screw up. But we can be assured of God’s love.
I suspect Big Kitty will, (if he has not already) make a mess or two in the house. He’ll screw up. I also suspect others in the house will get a little upset with him at times.
But, I suspect just like God’s love is always there for us, Gracie will still love him.
His Last Will and Testament
I was struck and reminded again this morning of the depth of Christ’s love for us.
What did Jesus do before he was betrayed?
Prayed.
He prayed for himself, for the glory of Father and Son. He prayed for His disciples.
He prayed for you and me.
John 17:20-26
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
Jesus was confident the disciples would spread the gospel and he prayed for those who would believe as a result.
When you weren’t physically there, or lived during a particular time period, it can be easy at times to emotionally distance oneself. I know it has been easy for me to do that. I need to be continually reminded.
I was picturing Jesus praying in Gethsemane.
I see a picture of Jesus in the midst of severe emotional and physical strain. Exhausted.
“An angel appears and ministers to him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” Luke 22:43-44
Luke, being the doctor notes this. My study Bible notes it was probably perspiration in large drops like blood, or it possibly was hematidrosis, the actual mingling of blood in sweat as in cases of extreme anguish, strain or sensitivity. Only Luke the doctor records this.
I haven’t been in this extreme anguish. However, I thought about times of when I have been emotionally drained and exhausted. Have you ever been emotionally drained? Emotionally and physically exhausted? Reached the point where you really can’t think straight? Where it’s hard to put words to thoughts?
You’re just spent. I’ve been there. I can’t really say I’m thinking about anyone else but myself at that point.
And there is the difference between us and God. When we are at that point we have a choice. We can call out to Him. It is our choice. He wants us to.
But what did He do?
What did Jesus do when He was at that point of emotional exhaustion?
He was praying for US. Praying for you and me, knowing full well of all the screwed up things we’d do, the mistakes we made, the mistakes we WILL make. Praying for us as we realize that we can’t do it on our own and trust Him. Praying for us before we even humbled ourselves to admit that. Praying for us as we keep struggling with control of our lives. (Was that one of those most strenuous prayers for me? I have the tendency to lay things at His feet, to pick them back up, give them back, pick them up again. Sigh.)
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Tim. 1:15-17
He loves you that much. He loves me that much.
In the midst of His severe and emotional prayer He was thinking of US.
Jesus’ last will and testament included prayer words for us.
John 17:24
“…I pray also for those who will believe in me…”
Thank you Jesus for loving me before I even came to be.
Starting…again
When you haven’t posted in a while, it sure is hard to get started….again.
It isn’t exactly like I don’t get topic suggestions sent to me. I think, “that’s a good one”. Sometimes I will even “write something” in my head of course, and it never quite makes it to a post.
There are a few bloggers that I follow that are quite regular in their writing. They write faithfully everyday. When I read about all the other things they have going on I wonder where they find the time. Then I realize that they make the time. They carve out the time in their days.
My problem (okay, one of my problems) is that when I am in right frame of mind to think of what I want to say, the timing isn’t conducive, or what I’m thinking about I think would be totally uninteresting, or I am keenly aware that someone might read what I have to say, and don’t quite want to be so transparent.
So…I guess I’m just letting anyone know who is following this, that I haven’t stopped blogging, actually, there are a few posts floating around in my head.
I just needed to actually get started….again.
Memorial Day at the Park
Happy Memorial Day everyone! It was a hot day, but a good afternoon at the park. For the second week in a row we easily served over 150 people.
Simon stopped by to say hello, he had been home to Florida, and will be going back. He told us he found a place to live. Levi was heading off to an interview. We didn’t see Chuck this week, that is because he has some housing now. That is good news!
Juanita is battling lung cancer. That is the bad news.
Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever.
Through it all God is with us, walking in the valley. We can be here to put a face and skin on Jesus for those that need it. It has been a blessing to be able to do it. It has been a blessing to walk alongside those in the valley. We all have valleys that we face. Nobody wants to be alone in them. Sometimes we just need to be reminded we aren’t alone.
Today, we were blessed by a young woman who was moving from the condo’s across from the park. She stopped by to see if we were interested in food items that she had for OSS. She had seen us serving in the park from her condo. Craig & I stopped over after we cleaned up, and picked up the items. Thanks so much Rachel, and we pray that you have safe journey to where God leads you next!
Thank you Lord for continuing to bless this ministry! May we continue to give you all the praise and glory!
Post A Week Topic…Well what do you know!
As I’ve mentioned, before, I’ve been part of this Post A Week experiment, and they send these topics to you to help give you ideas to blog about. I’ve seen many good ones, just haven’t gotten around to writing about some of them. Well the topic the other day that came across my phone was “Should you help the homeless?“….my first reaction…
Well, duh…
If you have been following this blog, you pretty much know where I stand on the topic…
Then I had to really think about how much my thoughts and opinions have changed about the homeless over the last years. God certainly has been working inside me!
So, I realize that this topic is something that will create much discussion. This is a good thing! The more blogs I’ve been reading, the more I see God at work in the homeless community. I see His name praised and glory given to Him through the trials and valleys.
These scriptures came to mind, as I was thinking of this topic:
Matthew 22:34:40
34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
The second greatest commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself.
If we are really seeing the homeless, then how can we not help the homeless?
How we help is our choice.
Thanks for your continued prayers and support with Operation Soup and Smokes! This past week we served over 135 at the park! We saw some people that we haven’t seen for awhile, heard that some have moved to be with family, some are in temporary housing, and unfortunately some in trouble. We will continue on helping as we can, one bowl, one smile, one conversation, one friendship. We have always had enough to serve everyone. God has been faithful! Yeah God!
Just As I Am 