I regret many things in my life. I am working on healing from my past, what was done to me and what I have done to myself and others. My most recent regret is my lack of Faith in God. Like Paul in Romans, I so don’t understand or like what I know I choose to do, or rather DON’T DO, and trusting in God for positive outcomes in my life has always been a very real sin problem for me.
This past week has been a whirlwind of much needed spiritual teaching from Him!! It started when a stray tabby-tomcat literally walked into my life all battered and bruised while on vacation. He took to my family immediately, and so totally unafraid he rested in our home away from home. We sheltered him, gave him a new name, mended and patched him, endlessly kissed and hugged him (of course, and only – cuz he let us, truly amazing!) and even provided for all the necessary unpleasant issues needed to be done such as vet checks, shots, bathing and (ugh) neutering. Through it all Jack has been such a tremendous trooper and continually amazes us with his great nature, docile and loving temperament, and acceptance of all the conditions thrust upon him. Jack belongs to us now, we belong to Jack it’s like he’s come home in a way and we’ve totally bonded in less than a week! He’ll be going home to Maryland with us in a few days.
Earlier this week Jack didn’t look so good and I was very worried and afraid for his health, even for his little and so vulnerable life, after all we demanded of him. I allowed my fears to take over and didn’t trust Jack to God’s divine hand and goodness. Then yesterday God spoke to my heart and warmly told me that Jack would be OK, that there were many reasons for His bringing Jack to us, and that He wasn’t giving Jack to us just to take him away through a sudden death. God reminded me to see beyond the circumstances to his deeper work at hand.
There is much more I could share about Jack’s story and his amazing kitty ways. He is doing well and truly resting. But, the deeper story is how God spoke to my heart through Jack’s amazing rescue from the streets. It dawned on me that I am a Jack myself! I was battered about by the world, lost, running scared, broken and bruised – and I happened to come across God. When I knew in my heart who had found me and that I was totally safe with Him, I let go and totally surrendered to God for salvation, much like Jack has done with us! God initially did a lot of binding of my heart, mending and healing – holding, hugging and caressing. God also provided for some very painful procedures that I wouldn’t have chosen for myself but were necessary for my very survival. And, like we will inevitably do with Jack, God will continually watch out for me, heal me, provide and take care of me.
Now, when I find myself lacking trust in God, if I can keep my wits about me, all I need to do is think of Jack and his amazing story of redemption. I think I may carry a picture of him and place one at my desk at work. I need all the reminders I can get!
Thank You Father God, for your loving and tender grace, for your spiritual love and teaching, for your son Jesus, and most of all (right now) – for Jack, and his story! Carole M