The Answered Prayer

I stroke his warm, soft fur as he purrs out his unconditional thanks back. As I smooth and caress his soft exterior, I wonder, what if this was the last time I see him? How could I ever know how absolutely prophetic these words actually were...

I love all my cats, but Koby Garfield Morris, Jr., he's my buddy. He was more like a dog then a cat, because he followed me everywhere. I didn't mind though, because Koby was great company.

The evening I pondered this question, we watered my flower garden together, or should I say I was watering and he was trying to get a drink of water from my bucket! Anyhow, we were both there just the same, and I was reminded of our deep love for each other – though expressed in different ways. Upon finishing our routine, we walk back to the house, I give him a final pet and hug goodnight. That was the last time I saw him.

The next morning I went out to feed my cats as usual. Koby wasn't there, but he frequently goes out in the woods exploring so I didn't really think much about it. That is, until my brother told me he had heard some cats fighting the previous night, and wondered if I’d seen him. Koby always got in fights with neighboring cats, and besides a few scrapes and bruises he was fine – usually. But, the day wore on and still no Koby. I began to worry. Where could he be? I tried to calm myself by thinking he was probably in the woods somewhere, occupied by some interesting object. But, after a while, that did not work anymore.

That evening, as I went to water my flowers without my faithful companion, I decided to put God to the test.

You have to understand that I believed in God generally, but had never experienced Him working personally in my life. I mean, I went to church, studied my Bible, etc. but I honestly was still learning to trust God on a personal level. I figured this was His chance to prove His love to me. So, thinking I was doing God a favor, I prayed, "Dear Lord, You say in Your Word that You care about me, and I want to test it out. There are stories in the Bible about You raising people back to life. Now, Lord, I’m asking you to bring my cat back. I don’t know where he is, but You know. If he’s alive, bring him home, and if he’s not alive bring him back to life. Lord, trusting that You will do this, I promise to never doubt You again, and to follow you without a question – that is, if You bring me back my cat..."

 As soon as I finished praying I expected to see Koby come bounding out of the woods, or hear his familiar "meow" coming from some nearby location. But nothing happened.

I laid in bed that night I wrestling with God. Just why didn't He bring my cat back? Doesn't He want me as His child? If He does, why didn't He prove Himself to me?

In my devotions the next morning God lead me to two familiar texts in the Bible that say, ‘…the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ ‘What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?...’ I was stunned. Was God trying to tell me something? Of course! God knew that my prayer did not come from a heart sincerely desiring to know Him better, but from a heart that wanted to use His power for selfish reasons. If He had granted my request, I would have rejoiced in my success, and gone right on in my unbelief. But, by not granting my request He showed real love for me in that He wants to save me- not just satisfy my every whim.

I wish I could say that after coming to this realization,that Koby came running out of the woods from somewhere, and we lived happily ever after...  but I can’t.
Koby never came back. Some of God’s lessons aren't the easiest to learn, but they must be learned. Although my prayer was never answered in the way that I wanted, it was still answered. I am beginning to learn that the God who transforms hearts into new creations is the God who comforts those He has to correct. I’m learning that though I didn't receive my request, I received something far greater, and I’m learning to say with Job, ‘ the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’


Guest contributor, Paige Harraway writes from Monticello, Georgia.

(Job 1:21; 2:10)

Faith

You must be wondering, Joi, whatever happened to the rest of “God’s Love Shines” from last week? I know, I’m wondering the same thing myself. I’m sorry. Too caught up with other activities… again! Maybe I haven’t yet sufficiently learned that last lesson yet…

---

On the road once more.  That seems to be my life right now. My family and I often drive this route, ever since I was small. I see the same scenery I've always seen. The teeming highways of the same ever congested big city, the familiar golden arches of the same McDonald's where we stop for bathroom breaks, the quaint hamlets nestled on on the mountainside. Even the dips and curves on the roads are familiar to me. Above that, I've become accustomed to a rickety, old bridge that gives the appearance of collapsing -any moment now. (In my opinion, this bridge has not been fit for vehicles in the last 20+ years. But, what do I know about that kind of stuff, anyway?) I used to be pretty anxious to cross it, but now, even though it doesn't look like it’s getting any stronger, I’m fairly comfortable traveling it.

Faith.

Sometimes I wonder, why am I more willing to trust an old rusty bridge, built by who knows who, and not a God who I know loves me and cares for me. Have you ever considered that? How much easier we place  faith in man made things and the unknown people who made them. 

Really? How silly is that...

He Cares

 

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 

Why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin...

..If God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you..?

Your heavenly Father knows that you need these things...

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.

{Matthew 6:25,26,28,30,32,33}

Sunday School... A Lesson

It was a golden Sunday morning. My family and I were up early and off we went to the park.
As we strolled along, we took in the scenes of the morning and the sound of the river flowing quickly beside us.

This must have been one of those days that brings " the exerciser" out in folks. The trail was teeming with bikers, walkers and runners. Some people walked with quick, energized steps. Runners flew by at record speed. Still others huffed and puffed looking as if they were hardly going to make it.

As we got deeper into the trail, less people were seen. The trail was getting more and more scarce. Funny, isn't it? (But that's not my point.)

After some time, coming down the trail toward us was a little girl walking a little dog. She was all alone. No seeming guardian was in sight. Hmm... that's strange. I wonder where her parents are?
As we got closer, I saw her face. It wore a scrunched up, pained expression. I sure hope she's okay, I thought, and we passed her by.

{ I've lost my mom and I can't find her!}

"Hold on, let me make sure she is alright." My mom did a 180° and went over to her.
" Is everything okay?" my mom asked.
" I've lost my mom and I can't find her!" the poor little girl moaned.

Lost. This 8 year old  girl was lost, left alone in a wide- open and unprotected place.
And what had I done? Passed right by her just thinking, "I sure hope she's okay."

I learned my lesson. We walked with her and helped her search for her family until they were found.
                                                                  ~

How many people do we pass by who are lost and searching?  They are looking for some caring person who will direct them to our Heavenly Father by being the hands and feet of Jesus.
Will you pass right by or offer them help?