Sad Mamma Kitty, Happy Us

Our five kittens are gone. The two male kittens left today for a country home, they will be the only two that will be outside kitties and their new owner is hoping that they will be good hunters like their mamma. The three females went before Christmas and were to be inside cats.  We think that our favorite of the five, a female, is now living in Fort Worth, her new owner was just visiting here in Brownwood. That one is going to be spoiled and has a little Yorkie to play with.

The question of the day is how do you tell a mamma kitty that her babies are no longer here but they are OK? Though she is currently quiet, Patches has been walking around the house and calling them. She has done this after every departure but this is the first time that no kittens at all responded. She is sad because she can't find them. We are happy because they have all gone to good homes. We think she will adjust soon and my logical mind says that she does still have Coal and Toki, though I don't think she is thinking of them as her babies anymore.

We've got to say that God answered our prayers. We had gotten attached to these kittens and asked God to provide good homes for them, and He did. We were disappointed when only three went before Christmas, but if they had all gone before Christmas then this family who just lost their male cat wouldn't have been able to take these last two. God's perfect timing, even with distribution of kittens. We had some that needed a new home, and God made sure that people who had a home and wanted a kitten saw our ad. Isn't it great that we can trust God with every aspect of our lives no matter how big or small?  Even with providing homes for cats. With that in mind, whatever your need might be right now, don't hesitate to tell God about it and ask Him to provide.

Hallelujah, God be praised

This morning we attended a special Christmas service at our church. Scripture was read, readings shared, and songs were sung. Among the songs were many traditional Christmas hymns, but one of a different variety touched my heart today. Searching the internet for the words we sang this morning was a challenge. I discovered that the song itself has many different versions with most of them being nothing I would sing. But the version this morning was about Christ's birth and His reason for coming.

I had heard the song before and knew the somewhat haunting tune, so singing along was easily done with the words before me on the screen . . . until we reached the last verse. I could only stand there awed by the truth of the words "I know you came to rescue me. This baby boy would grow to be a man and one day die for me and you. My sins would drive the nails in You, that rugged cross was my cross too, still every breath You drew was Hallelujah".

Hallelujah means "God be praised, an expression of worship and rejoicing". I looked it up to be certain of the meaning. I know the truth that Christ came to this earth to rescue me from sin, and I often think of Christ suffering for me on the cross, the cross that I so much deserve, but to think that maybe while He was suffering He was whispering the word Hallelujah, praising God, worshiping and rejoicing that my redemption would soon be completed . . .  how could this be? How could Jesus possibly be praising and worshiping God while my sins were in the process of covering Him?

You won't find it in the scripture where His last words are recorded, but I know Him personally, and whether He said the word verbally or not I'm convinced that His heart surely shouted Hallelujah, God be praised. I can only sit here with tears in my eyes doing some worshiping and praising of my own. With a thankful heart I repeat Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.


Lyrics can be viewed at:
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/cloverton/ahallelujahchristmas.html

Or listen to a beautiful recording:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuNAknMZlqo

Who's on your ladder?

The week of Thanksgiving I had a couple extra days off.  The bedroom needed a new coat of paint so out came the paint, brushes, plastics to protect stuff, and that all important ladder to help reach the top of the walls. It didn't take long for Toki and Coal to come find out what was going on. Coal got bored quickly but Toki wanted to be there, just to keep an eye on things. Based on the blog title, you have probably guessed that the best place from which to watch was high up on the ladder.

Except for those times when I needed to use the ladder, it was a great place for her to be because I knew she wasn't underfoot or leaning her little body against the wet paint. Granted, those times when I made her get off she kept an eye on the ladder for an opening to get back on, but she patiently waited and didn't leave the room. She didn't say anything, she was just there keeping me company and listening when I talked to her. She didn't help with the painting, and in fact got in the way a few times, but her presence did make a tiresome job a little bit brighter. 

As I pondered her "assistance" I thought about the many people who have been there for me. Not sitting on a ladder staring at my every move of course, but just being there. Many times when I have had to do something I didn't really want to do, or I was going through a difficult time in my life, there was a friend or two willing to just hang around with me. Step in with the work if that is what I needed, sit and chat for awhile, or just lend me their ear so I could talk it out myself.

I'm reminded that when I know someone is struggling a bit with life, I just need to be there for them. They probably don't need my mouth as much as they need my ears so I don't need to be concerned that I don't know what to say, and if I can help with whatever is going on that's great, but if I can't just my presence may be encouraging. I think I'm going to try and keep an eye out for those God given opportunities to help someone else along the way, whether it's by jumping in to help get a job done or just quietly staying by their side. I hope you'll look for those opportunities as well.