WATCHING IN THE WINTER
The other night as I was preparing dinner, my kids came running to me with concerns over a stray cat that landed on our doorstep. Now mind you, we have adopted, and sheltered many animals over the years. We now own two dogs, 4 birds, 3 cats, and 3 fish....and possibly a partridge in a pear tree...I've lost count.
I quickly reminded the children that we could not afford to take in another stray. It was not only costly, but time-consuming. My daughter's response was, "But mom, its cold..its shaking". "Ugh", I responded "Put a warm blanket outside on the porch" My son says, "Mom...I think its injured". "Ugh"....I had made up my mind I was not going to cave this time. The kids would own a farm if they could. The problem is, I usually end up being the one caring for them.
The children forget often. I would have fish floating at the top of our tank by now, if I didn't feed them. The (teen and tween) are not as responsible when it comes to pets lately, too many distractions, and other interest. I've joked about letting them go without water or food for a day, to see how they would feel, but that would be child abuse. I just want them to learn that these pets need taken care of. They can't just hop on a sink and fill their water bowl. Or open a can of moist and meaty. Although, according to YouTube...there are some that can. Can you imagine a fish trying to turn the lid on a jar of fish flakes? The point is, that I didn't want to bring in another animal that would not be taken care of properly adding the burden on my husband and I. We both have enough on our plate already trying to manage what we have.
Yet, I felt the tugging on my heart to check out this supposed injured feline, especially after my daughter stated she would give up her cell phone just to bring it in. "It must really be hurt", I thought. "No...no...no" I protested as I walked to the front door. Opening door cautiously, I came face to face with this poor little creature staring at me like "Puss-n-Boots" from Shrek. The huge teary eyes, crying "take me in".
.jpg)
I quickly shut the door for a brief moment, telling myself...absolutely NOT! I opened it again, and crouched down to look at it closer, and noticed despite its thick long hair, had a bony underneath. The poor thing was starving. It had a series of scratches from a fight. I was concerned with fleas, lice, mange, parasites, and rabies affecting our other pets, and our children. After all, we didn't know where this cat had been. And our last medical bill of over $300 was spent on my daughter from contracting "Cat Scratch Fever" from a stray kitten she picked up. We spent much on vet bills making sure our animals were all fixed, shots, treated, and prevented for all of the above. I especially, did not want another cat! The 3 we have now, just eat, poop, and drag dead mice to back porch, and meowing at Memorex levels before 5 a.m.!
However, I couldn't leave the pleading pet outside. I projected feelings of, "What if it were me". We brought it in, quickly, bathe wiped it, treated for fleas, and prayed for the best. Nurse Amanda, and Doctor Cody...my two little feens who wormed this cat into the house, treated the scratches, fed it, and put it to bed. Though troubled by the addition temporary or not, I felt better knowing we saved the little fur ball from freezing or starving to death.
When I was reading from the book of Jeremiah this morning, was surprised when I ran across a verse that suddenly grabbed my attention.
Jeremiah 1:11-12 (NCV)
The Lord spoke his word to me, saying: “Jeremiah, what do you see?” I answered, “I see a stick of almond wood.” 12 The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, because I am watching to make sure my words come true.”
Now you may ask, what does this verse have to do with saving a stray?
In the Easton's Bible dictionary it states that the almond tree blossoms usually during January or near the end of winter months.
The Hebrew root meaning: Almond (a'-mund) means to "watch" or "wait"
In reading the passage, what caught my attention is.... I was reminded that God is always watching, even during the bitter, and cold winter nights. He watches to make sure His words come true,
He watches when a bird falls to the ground, (Matthew 10:29-31) He even watches for those He created with four legs (Hebrews 4:13) He knew exactly where to send that injured, fur-ball feline. He knew that there was no way that neither my husband, or I would absolutely turn it away.
If God can watch over a small creature as such, and direct its path to safety...then why can't we trust Him with our lives? Trust Him in our pain? Trust Him with our marriage? Trust Him with our children? Trust Him with our jobs? Trust Him in our giving? or Trust Him with our heart?
Proverbs 3:5-6(NCV)
Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don’t depend on your own understanding. 6 Remember the Lord in all you do, and he will give you success.
Listen to and watch video link below:
FOOD FOR SOUL has partnered with WATER FOR LIFE in building wells worldwide! Please visit our website, we need YOUR HELP...for as little as $4.80 YOU can help provide clean water for a child for the rest of his or her life!
.jpg)
.jpg)
Posts
