Sassy Cat AKA Miss Lucy!

                          Here is Miss Lucy during the time we had her. I will post a picture of her when she comes for a visit.

 Genesis 45:4-8
^4-8 "Come closer to me," Joseph said to his brothers. They came closer. "I am Joseph your brother whom you sold into Egypt. But don't feel badly, don't blame yourselves for selling me. God was behind it. God sent me here ahead of you to save lives. There has been a famine in the land now for two years; the famine will continue for five more years—neither plowing nor harvesting. God sent me on ahead to pave the way and make sure there was a remnant in the land, to save your lives in an amazing act of deliverance. So you see, it wasn't you who sent me here but God. He set me in place as a father to Pharaoh, put me in charge of his personal affairs, and made me ruler of all Egypt.

A phone call reminded me of last winters experience with a ragdoll cat names Miss Lucy. The sweet lady that called let me know how much she loved this cat that now had a purpose and a home. Let me explain; Early one morning I heard this faint meowing next to our sunporch window. Upon closer inspection, I found a small white very neglected cat. Poor little thing, she was covered in fleas and an ear infection that never went away for as long as I had her. A trip to the vet verified that along with having her spayed. I don't know much about cats because we never had one, poodles occupied our home so the process began. I named her Miss Lucy and so the relationship developed. She lived in our garage and received lots of attention during the winter. She was the sweetest most lovable little thing. I gave her baths and she just stood there, I doctored her ears and she just laid there. She was amazing, but hubby especially, did not want a cat in the house. No one ever came looking for her so I knew she would need a good home. A notice left at the vets produced a phone call from someone that was interested in her. So one thing led to another and now Miss Lucy has an amazing home. Sounds like she is loved and very well taken care of. I am so thankful! I had wondered all the time and even asked God "why". And now I see the very reason. This sweet lady informed me her "Sassy" had died at the age of 14&1/2 years. She said it just broke her heart when they had to put her down. Also Miss Lucy was "just like" Sassy. So here is my take on this situation. God cares so much about the little things in our life, He knew the heartbreak this woman felt when she lost her beloved Sassy. And the fact also, was I willing to try and save her because she would have surely not made it through the winter. Even the vet bill was worked out so she could be cared for. So what do you think? Does God really use everything for our good? Remember Joseph? He said his brothers meant it for bad, but God meant it for good. This also proves one other thing to me, we have to do what is right and to the best of our ability. We won't understand things in the beginning, why our house, why a cat (we already had Sammy who is spoiled rotten and stays in our shop at night), but if you are a child of God, then you must believe even the little things matter to Him. Oh by the way, I am expecting a visit from her and Miss Lucy aka Sassy.
Be blessed this Lords Day and don't forget to check out Spiritual Sunday, the link is on the sidebar.

Character!

Psalm 105:16-22 (New Living Translation)

16. He called for a famine on the land of Canaan, cutting off its food supply. 17. Then he sent someone to Egypt ahead of them—Joseph, who was sold as a slave. 18. They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar. 19. Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character. 20. Then Pharaoh sent for him and set him free; the ruler of the nation opened his prison door. 21. Joseph was put in charge of all the king’s household; he became ruler over all the king’s possessions. 22. He could instruct the king’s aides as he pleased and teach the king’s advisers.

Websters definition of "character" is moral or ethical quality: a man of fine, honorable character. In other words what we truly are, what we stand for and what we believe. This was true of Joseph and as you read the story you will find how the Lord tested him. From betrayal by his own family to being accused of slander to becoming the "wise man" put into rule by Pharaoh himself. He lived to be approximately 110 years old and even after he died, his bones was carried out and buried at Shechem. He lived an extraordinary life, and even now many years later the story of the character of Joseph is still being told. As I was studying this event, I realized first of all, he was a human being just like we are. He was no different and neither is God any different. The Word says He is the same yesterday, today and forever. We can have this honorable character like him and many others that we read about in the Bible. I don't know about you, but I want this, I want everything that I have rights to, everything that God promises us! It is possible, we just have to walk in His ways and be in His will. I pray as you read and study Gods Holy Word, that you will decide you want what He has for you. May you be blessed this Lords Day!

What About Jacob?

Genesis 37:33-35 (New Living Translation)

33. "Their father recognized it immediately. “Yes,” he said, “it is my son’s robe. A wild animal must have eaten him. Joseph has clearly been torn to pieces!” 34. Then Jacob tore his clothes and dressed himself in burlap. He mourned deeply for his son for a long time. 35. His family all tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “I will go to my grave mourning for my son,” he would say, and then he would weep."

We hear and read stories about Joseph, but not to much about his father, Jacob. When we focus on one person, we forget about the other people involved. When I began to study about this family, I realized I didn't know to much about this man. His grief was so overwhelming to him that when he died, he said he would still be mourning. Jacob wasn't a stranger to heartaches, he had lost his dear Rachel while giving birth to Benjamin, and now he is told more heartbreaking news. Does this sound like someone you know, or maybe you have been in the same situation? A time when you feel your spirit crushed inside, and you believe you surely cannot endure any more? I have been that one crying out to God, wondering why. Questioning Him, but not finding any answers. There are times in life we will endure tragedies, deaths of loved ones, and circumstances when we are convinced there is no way God can be in this. Times when we shut down, to weary to go on. What do we do? What did the great men of the Bible do when they were faced with "life", like Jacob? Please listen to them and to me. We call on the God of the universe, the One that knew us while we were still in the womb, the One who knows how many hairs are on our head, the One who said He would never leave or forsake us, the One who loves us with an unfailing love. My heart breaks for all the hurting people in this world, but the only place where we can go to for peace, comfort, and protection is to our Lord. I pray for you that as you read this, you will just accept the grace and mercy of God. There will be things happen we will never figure out, but you can be assured, if you look to Him, He will grant you every provision to keep you. God Bless you, just go to Him!