Lesson Learned from our Cat

As I've mentioned before, God uses all kinds of things to get my attention, and yesterday, it was our cat Simba. I should actually say "Brooke's cat" Simba because it is clear to everyone that knows Simba, he loves Brooke the most!! And why not? It was Brooke who rescued him from the streets of Burgaw, NC nearly 10 years ago.

We were on a 3 week trip to NC, visiting Wade's family and some of our supporting churches, when we first met Simba. He was a stray that showed up on the steps of the home that we were staying in. The couple who owned the home had graciously moved in with her parents for those 3 weeks to give our family a "home base." They thought that "Simba" (they had named him already) would be good company for our animal loving 4 year-old, so they decided to wait to find a home for him until after our visit was over.

It was love at first sight for both of them! The thing I remember most about that summer is that Brooke was covered in mosquito bites from head to toe. She spent every moment that we were at our "home away from home" outside on the front porch with Simba, and even the pesky mosquitoes could not stop her. It was amazing to watch how she would call his name and he would come running out of the woods for her.

The thought of having to leave Simba behind when we returned to Texas broke my heart! Even though I was not much of an animal lover at the time, I loved my little girl, and wanted to avoid the heart-wrenching goodbye that was soon to come. After a phone call to the airlines, and a visit to the vet, Simba joined us on our flight back to Texas. And he has never looked back! Some of our amused friends made the comment upon our return, "You know we have cats in Texas??!!" "Yes we know," we answered, "but not Simba!" And he has proved to be the best pet ever over these 10 years!!

So, where am I going with this?...Well, yesterday I observed something that I see on a fairly regular basis.  Simba was all curled up, lying on top of Brooke's folded laundry while she was at school.   I thought to myself, "He loves her so much, that when she is away, he'll settle for her clothes."

 

 

 

At that moment, I remembered the Psalmist who said to the Lord, "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." Psalm 84:10. In other words, he was saying "I just want to BE where you are Lord, if even in the lowliest position available."

Oh, how this challenges me!  Am I as much in love with my Father, who rescued me from sin and from myself, as Simba is in love with Brooke??  Can I say with the Psalmist,  "I just want to be where you are Lord" no matter where that might take me??  Help me Lord to LOVE you with all that I am and ever hope to be!

This World is not our Home!

I've been thinking about death a great deal lately...not because I have a morbid imagination, but because our little community has been showered with grief in the past 2 weeks. I don't know what I would qualify as an "acceptable age" to die, but certainly not a 47 year old mother of 6, or a 42 year old father of 3. Our kids go to school with these children, and I can hardly bear the thought of this happening to our family.

And then, one week ago today, another precious angel went to be with Jesus...Brett Michael Menasco, at the young age of 15. Brett was one of Brianne's classmates for several years until he became too medically fragile to attend school any more. When he became homebound, I had the privilege to be his home health nurse for many months. His sweet and gentle spirit had a profound impact on me, as every day was a challenge for him, and yet he handled it with grace and dignity. These "special" children can certainly teach us a lot about how to live if we'll pay attention.



As you can imagine, there was a mixture of emotions that flooded me with Brett's passing. When I heard the news, I immediately pictured him running and playing and singing...doing all of the things that his weakened human body had prevented him from doing for so long. But then I thought of his mother, and the fact that Brett was not the only child that she had lost. She lost her first child at 9 years old, who passed before Brett was even born. "Oh Lord," I cried, "how is Bobi going to get through this?" And then the Lord reminded me that He loves Bobi even more than I do, and she WILL get through this with His strength!

He then reminded me of the book that I have bought several friends of mine who have lost children. Just writing that sentence makes me sick to my stomach...so many Mommies who have had to lay their babies to rest! What a broken world we live in! The book is called "Mommy Please Don't Cry" by Linda DeYmaz. I was able to read it to Brett's mom at his Memorial service, and I want to share it with you here...

Mommy, please don't cry...A beautiful angel carried me here!

I met Jesus today, Mommy! He cradled me in His big, strong arms. He made me feel so happy inside.

Mommy, please don't cry...Heaven is wonderful! Did you know the streets are made of gold? Real gold!

I have lots of friends, Mommy. We run and play, we giggle and laugh. I can't wait to show you my secret hideouts!

Mommy, please don't cry...When I fall it doesn't hurt! There are no tears in Heaven.

I've met a man named Noah. He told me about his big boat, all the animals, and the very first rainbow. Have you heard of Noah, Mommy?

Mommy, please don't cry...We have lots of parties here; with streamers and hats, and the best chocolate cake ever!

When it's time to rest, angels tuck us in. I never get scared Mommy, there is no darkness here! Jesus is the light of heaven.

Mommy, please don't cry...the angels are always singing. I love to sing with the angels! You'd be proud of me, I have a pretty good voice. I must have gotten it from you.

There is a river, Mommy, in the most beautiful garden you could ever imagine...and a huge tree with yummy fruit. The angels call it the tree of life. Mommy, it's so wonderful to be alive in Heaven!

Mommy, please don't cry...sometimes I just like to be by myself. That's when I think of you.

Someday, Mommy, we will hold each other tight! Then you will cradle me in your arms, and stroke my hair...And once again, our hearts will beat together.

Mommy, please don't cry...I'll wait right here for you.


The Bible has a lot to say about heaven. It is a glorious place! And we know that Brett is there today! Mark 10:14 says, "[Jesus] said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." And in Matthew 5:8 Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."

One of the things that Bobi reminded us in Brett's eulogy is that "Life is short" and it is important that we live this life in the way that God intended us to. She also said, "I know that my name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life and I will see my children again one day." What a comfort that John 3:16 is at a time like this...."For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life!"

The Ultimate Running Coach

I had a conversation with our middle daughter this weekend. We were talking about running (actually jogging is a better description of what I do...crawling might even fit at times.) I had asked her to join me on a jog on Saturday morning. When we returned home, she was laid out on the floor telling me how much she hates running, how bad she felt, and how she doesn't know why anyone would choose to do such a thing on a regular basis? I encouraged her to stretch, get something to drink and eat, and she would "feel" differently soon. In my mind, (and probably out loud) I have said those same words many times.

Recently a friend had asked me to consider training for a 5K with her. My initial reaction was, "No way...been there, done that....even have a medal and picture to prove it! And to top it all off, I did NOT enjoy it!" But I graciously told her I would think about it and pray about it. The timing was interesting because I had been thinking about my fitness class earlier in the week. It's an interval training class (p31fitness.com), and among the many things we do in this class, we run. I had been thinking about how grateful I was to have found a class here in town that really pushes me physically, and is also a great opportunity to connect with other women. When reflecting on the class, I concluded that the activity I like least about it is the running. How ironic that just days later, I was asked to consider doing more running, by training for another 5K.

I said, "Yes."

I know, call me crazy, but this is why I said "Yes."

I concluded that it would be good for my flesh to do something that it doesn't enjoy. I am continually reminded that I live in a very selfish and self-absorbed culture that follows the rule "If it feels good, do it!" which implies that the opposite would also be encouraged, "If it doesn't feel good, don't do it!" And look where it has gotten us! It is my belief that we as Christians sometimes have to make radical steps to go against the "culture of the world" in our own lives.

And this is where my conversation with Brooke comes in...I told her, "Sometimes, we have to make our bodies do what they don't want to do, in order to get them to be where we want them to be." I reminded her of the fact that she is planning to run track in the Spring, and if she continues all of this negative self-talk, it will only make it harder for her to succeed in her efforts.

I went on to say that self-discipline and training don't just pertain to athletics, they pertain to life, especially the Christian life. Jesus reminded his disciples "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Matt.16:24

Paul often compared his walk with Christ to running a race. He said in 1 Cor. 9:25 - 27 "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever...No, I beat my body, and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."

I love how the writer of Hebrews describes "Discipline in a Long-Distance Race" as found in Chapter 12 in The Message translation:

"Do you see what this means--all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get with it. Strip down, start running--and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished the race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed--that exhilirating finish in and with God--he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!"

I am definitely NOT suggesting that to be spiritual, you have to be a runner. (Cue the Hallelujah Chorus!) But maybe, just maybe, the Lord is asking you to step outside your comfort zone, and do something that you don't want to do, and this blog post is just the encouragement you needed to do it!