My next post I plan to get back to my discussion about man and God. Last time we saw that there are many wrong views of man. There are also many wrong views of God, so I would like to discussion the wrong views of God and a scriptural understanding of God. I need to take a quick detour today to discuss a relevant topic in our home.
This week our household was filled with sadness over the loss of our family cat. Shadow Lee Harrington was about five and a half years old and was my oldest daughter Grace’s beloved cat. When we first decided to allow her a cat it was a surprise for her 8th birthday.
Almost every year we enjoy a weekend with my cousin and his family. The Lee family is kindred spirits with the Jandt’s. We are all very like minded biblically, we love our time together, and their house is an animal paradise. You name it, they’ve got, have had it or will have it.
Horses, dogs, cats, chickens, birds and I’m sure other critters. There are always kittens running around. We knew they had kittens when we went up that summer day in 2007 and our surprise for Grace was to start presenting her some gifts that were cat related. As she looked at us with wonderment as to why she would get a food dish for her birthday, we told her she better go pick out a kitty that can eat out of it. She was so happy to have an animal “that would love her back.”
Shadow was a beautiful silver gray cat and an outstanding hunter. We decided we would allow him to be an outdoor cat when we brought him home. Last week he didn’t come home and Jen found him on the road, he had been hit by a car. It was a tough day for the girls and especially Jen. It was the risk we took to allow Shadow to do what he loved to do and I’m sure next year the chipmunks will make a comeback as he had all but rid our neighborhood.
Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows.
The Lord knew the number of Shadows days. He did not fall outside of the Father’s will. This is incredible to me and I believe there is a lesson in this for our family. I’m grateful for the time we enjoyed our family cat. Grace loved Shadow he was valuable to her and to the family.
But we are more valuable than sparrows and cats right? It says so and why do you suppose that is?
Matthew 10:33-34 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
We have the ability to confess Christ to the world. Shadow couldn’t preach the gospel. He was a cat and God did not breathe His Spirit into him. It doesn’t mean he wasn’t valuable but he isn’t eternal. We are eternal and if you are a Believer in Jesus Christ you have an opportunity to confess Him before men.
We will miss Shadow. The Lord continues to do what is best for His people despite our sadness in those moments. These are excellent lessons about life and death. We will all die someday; let’s mourn and preach for the living if they are outside God’s will. This is valuable to God.
Kevin
Uncommon Faith 