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WATCHING IN THE WINTER
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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".
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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.
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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.
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:
"I Am" DAVID CROWDER
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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!
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
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I woke this morning with much anticipation. I was ever so grateful just to be alive. At first, I was hesitant, it was f-r-e-e-z-i-n-g. My body longed to stay in the warmth of my comforter.
I covered up once more...body protesting to arise. However, I was reminded of sad news I received the night before. A beloved women my children and I had cherished had passed. She was one of the strongest women I have EVER met! I couldn't stay in bed anymore.
She had been battling stage 4 cancer for the past few years. In and out of hospitals, on and off chemo, back and forth in illness, yet NEVER would you find her wallowing in a sea of self-pity.
She served for as long as possible with the youth in ministry despite the ill affects of treatment. She knew she had purpose. She attended Bible studies, church services, and functions. She knew she made a difference. She traveled across states to be with her children, and grand-babies. She knew she was needed.
She chose to live to the fullest despite. Though her body was frail, and thinning face shown wear of cancer, she still had the biggest smile! Perhaps she knew...she would be with her Father soon.
The Godly attributes witnessed caused me to take a close look at myself. Diagnosed with fybromyalgia 11 years ago, osteoarthritis of the spine, and a botched ankle surgery. has caused a chronic state of pain for me, for several years. I don't do pain meds, so I hurt often.
But in knowing my dear fellow sister in Christ who was such a giver, not a taker...and someone who cared deeply about others, changed my perspective greatly.
I have my good days, and then I have the excruciating ones. However, every time I felt the urge to stay in bed, I thought of Andrea, when I felt I couldn't take another step, I thought of Andrea, When I felt I couldn't sit for hours working at the computer, thought of Andrea, when I was too tired to attend church, thought of Andrea, when overwhelmed with my children, thought of Andrea, when feeling depressed over lack of healing, thought of Andrea. When I didn't feel I had much to give, thought of Andrea. When I was in too much pain to drive a distance to help someone in need, I thought of Andrea. When I wanted to give up, I thought of Andrea.
I would ask myself, "Did God wake you up this morning? Has he given you the ability to dress yourself? Are you able to stand, walk, sit, see, feel, touch, smell, or hear? Can you hug your kids? Kiss your spouse? Prepare a meal?" Yes, Lord Yes....thank God yes!
If a women who managed to show love, and be used as an instrument of Christ despite her disease could...then I could too. In so doing, it has caused a relentless effort to do my best in everything, and appreciate every moment God gives me to live. Time is a precious commodity! I thank God for the opportunity of meeting one of the most amazing women in the world. I know that her legacy of hope, strength, and love of Christ will continue long after. God must have known that I needed to see her to see me. She knew to do as God willed regardless of her circumstances. She knew to keep going until her purpose had been fulfilled through Him. I hope she knows someday how she affected others, and because of the love shown, they now know God.
When I hear this song, I will think of Andrea.... "Lord let them see You in me"....as we saw You in her.
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Everyone is getting pumped about the holidays. The weather is turning colder, folks tracking down the perfect turkey, trees being decorated, lights strung, and Christmas music on the air.
Perhaps your getting ready to travel, or set out your best china for family. You view your shopping list and check the head count twice...making sure you have plenty of eats for everyone. Could you imagine arriving home with your goods prepared to cook, and find there was no running water?
Or have fifty plus family members arrive with no running toilets? Imagine being unable to bath, wash your clothes, or take a drink of fresh clean water. Picture your child weeping for just a sip to quench their thirst, and the only drink you can offer, is a diseased stream of defecation from animals.
Then think of the agony of holding your disease ridden and dying child.
What would you be willing to do to change this?
Here in America we have the luxury of not having to experience such unnecessary tragedy, yet we see it taken for granite...half full water bottles thrown on the ground, poured down a sink like its nothing, overflowing in hydrant leaks...precious clean running water.
Watch this inspiring video with Marc Owens, James and Betty Robinson, and others:
DISEASED WATER AROUND THE WORLD
What can you do? Much even with little. People all over the world are living like this. We need your help. For under $5.00 you can make a difference. Please partner with Food For Soul Magazine in our campaign to provide the means to build wells for these families. We do not collect any of these funds, they go straight to the organization with Life Today. To read more CLICK below:
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Not Forgotten
One morning as I was going about my usual routine of feeding our pets, I noticed that my zebra finches were not singing as boisterously as usual. I was hesitant to uncover their cages, afraid of what I might find.
A few months back we had lost one of our females during delivery of an egg. It was so sad, the male wasn't singing that morning. We found him quietly resting by her already stiffened body, refusing to leave. It was heart wrenching to lose her.
She had painstakingly carried those eggs, and we were looking forward to watching them hatch. Apparently, Spencer, her mate for life...was too. We immediately went that day and purchased another finch, but a male this time. We knew he was hurting over his loss.
We brought in one that was much younger then he, and named him Simon. They didn't hit it off right away, but in time they were best buds, building nest, and sleeping together on the plush flooring they put together in their new globe we installed. After a while, we acquired a male parakeet, named Mango. Mango seemed a little lonely, so I bought him a female, named Sky.
Now the finches, Spencer and Simon seemed a little miffed not having a female...so, you guessed it, I bought them their mates, Dodie and Sandy.
Immediately the pairs became impregnated, and we have had more then a dozen eggs or so laid since. However, one afternoon noticed that Spencer, and Simon were becoming extremely territorial and I had to separate the couples. This was difficult since it was hard to tell whose partner was whose, or which eggs belonged to who. However, there were sure tell tale signs of pecking marks on both youngest male and female. We took the youngest and moved them to their own housing.
Everything seemed fine. The pairs were matched, all was good, nesting still going on, and singing like crazy. Yet, that morning as I lifted the cover off the cages, noticed the young ones missing. I thought maybe they were deeply buried in their own nest, and or one had died, but no...they were just gone! Like Houdini, disappeared. How could this be? We do have cats, but they can't reach into the cage and snatch them up.
I had them hanging out side in the sunshine for a bit the prior day, when my husband brought the cages in. He didn't notice they were missing, and I certainly didn't examine the cage. The cover had been put in place and didn't give it a second thought...till that next morning. I thought maybe somehow the feeder window was left cracked and they got out through there. I started to put the other pair of finches outside, so Simon and Sandy would fly back to the sound of familiarity. A male finch never forgets his father's song according to scientist and other studies. And since Spencer had basically become Simon's caregiver, thought maybe he could draw him in...and in turn Simon could draw in his mate.
However, it was the morning of our first real cold front. It was too cold to put any of the birds outside. I couldn't leave their nest of eggs outside either, they would never survive. My husband had suggested I leave them out believing that surely the mother would come back. I placed their open cage outside with birdseed, and water in hopes they would fly back. Yet, I knew it was much too late. They were gone. I cried briefly, worried about them. How would they survive the cold? What about food? They've never had to hunt for food. Oh, and the cats.
What if they get viciously attacked? "Oh, Lord please protect my babies?" I cried. Nonetheless, sick with worry as the temperatures were dropping that day....I prayed for my little feather friends to come home to safety and security of their warm cages. As I was stressing over their departure, God reminded me of a passage I had read the week prior.
Luke: 12:6-7
Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Did you catch that? NOT ONE is forgotten! I took this very personal as I read it aloud to myself once more. I am one of many in this world, and yet NOT even I am forgotten. My precious finches are not forgotten either.
He knows where they are, and will take care of them. After all, He created them, He knows what they have need of. And I'm guessing they never forget their Father's song.
Yet sometimes we as humans do. We forget our Father's song of hope, redemption, mercy, peace, love, encouragement, and strength. As humans we forget that we have not been forgotten. Our God is perfectly aware of every single one of us, every creation, every insect, animal, flower, mountain, and valley.
He feels, and He holds our tears…He keeps track of them (Psalm 56:8) just as a loving parent does. Do you not feel pain when you see your child hurting? I remember when we had to take our youngest for blood test as a toddler, and his tiny hand would not take the overly large needle the nurse repeatedly kept sticking him with. I couldn't believe the rage in my husband’s eyes and nearly in tears as he watched his son cry in pain.
When my son was five he was rushed to the emergency room hemorrhaging from a head injury at school, I was terrified! My son was in pain,losing blood, and losing strength. My heart pounded in my chest, my breathing was on hold…Is he going to be okay? Is he going to make it?
Do you not think that God’s sitting there watching us as we deal with difficult circumstances? He is on the sidelines saying, “Come on…you can get through this…live…I say LIVE! Don’t allow the enemy to steal your joy, divert you from my plan, fill you with fear, shut you down, paralyze the love I have instilled you! Listen to My voice, to My song!"
John 10:27
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
We sometimes may feel that God has forgotten us when we are suffering. It may feel as if He has totally abandoned us. Just as I think my poor birds may be feeling out in the cold with me unable to reach them. My heart still longs for them. Just like God, I haven't moved anywhere...I'm still here...prepared to welcome them home, to love them to safety...they just can't see me. They've chosen to live away. I can't force them to fly into my hands. They've forgotten how warm, and safe they had it.
They won't have the endless supply of their fruitful treats handed to them without effort. I will never forget them, I can't forget what I love, and I loved them.
And God hasn't forgotten you. He says, "Come home where there is an endless supply of refreshing water, where you'll never thirst.
Come home to where it is safe, where I can guard your heart. (Philippians 4:7)
John 4:14
"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”
He wants you to know He is still here. Still watching, and waiting. He will NEVER forget you!
Isaiah 49:15
The Lord answers, “Can a woman forget the baby she nurses? Can she feel no kindness for the child to which she gave birth? Even if she could forget her children, I will not forget you.
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