Encouragement From a Little Bird

Sometimes it is the simplest of things that brings a blessing and I am convinced that at times, God sends birds to encourage me.

My last post concerned a lost cat that wandered into our yard.  He was here for a couple of days during which time I became somewhat attached to him, going so far as to give him a name - Buster.  But through a tattoo in his ear I was able, reluctantly, to return him to his owner.  This  brought back memories of my dear departed Pokey, who died in her sleep at four years old, in December of 2011.

I began to search for cats online but since we live on Vancouver Island, i am limited as to the number of shelters in my area.  Every time I would see a cat that interested me, it would be updated with "adoption pending."  Not only that but being a senior lady, I think that the cat would outlive me, not to mention that I am allergic to cat scratches and we have a little dog that is not used to cats.  It seemed that my desire for a cat was not meant to be.

A couple of days ago I was sitting in the back yard thinking of the last "adoption pending" cat while watching the constant activity of the birds coming and going in the yard.  As I sat in my chair, I felt a bird land on my shoulder!  This was a first.  I turned and it left my shoulder to land on the fence a few feet away.  It was a little Pine Siskin, a type I have seen only a couple of times in our yard.

Surely this was not an accident.  In the bible, in the book of 1 Kings chapter 17, the Lord tells Elijah the prophet to hide by the brook called Cherith, and that he has commanded the ravens to feed Elijah by the brook and "the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening..." (verse 6).  God is in control of everything and I believe he sent the little Pine Siskin to encourage me, just as a couple of years ago He sent a hummingbird to hover in front of my face when I was sick and again in our back yard.  I asked the Lord if  I was going to go to heaven and immediately the hummingbird came in front of my face.  Since then I have been feeding the hummingbirds and at times when I am sitting and watching the hummingbird feeder, and praying, a bird will come to the feeder.  In the case of wanting a cat, thus far I do not have one but I have the many birds that come to our yard for food and water.

I don't know what is going to happen.  Perhaps I will yet find a cat, perhaps it is not the Lord's will for me to have a cat, but I know that as long as we live in this home, I will have the company of the birds and for that I am very thankful.

__________________________

vcg

Tale of a Lost Cat

I love cats.  In 2008 we adopted a beautiful 1 year old female Torbie (Tortoiseshell/Tabby) from a cat rescue.  She had been abandoned and was very fearful of people.  It took much time and patience but she came to be my sweet and loving companion.  It was very tragic for me when she passed away in her sleep at the age of 4. I found her curled up in the cat sleeping position, dead and rigor mortis had set in.  After that we bought a puppy and there have been no more cats.

Last Saturday morning I was outside watering the front garden when a beautiful orange tabby walked onto the neighbour's driveway and over to me.  He allowed himself to be petted but he was definitely not a cuddly cat.  It was a very hot day and he hung out under a cedar hedge beside our home.  I put out food and water for him which he gobbled down.  Not having any cat food he ate good quality dog food instead. I let him in the back yard where he made himself at home sitting on chairs, even beside me.  I let him in the house but he beat up our little Shih Tzu so out he went.  I wondered  where he came from and had no idea how to find his owner.  I contacted the SPCA and was told to contact the local animal control but I did not want to do that, fearing what his outcome would be.  Saturday night into Sunday morning he walked around howling as male cats do and woke up the neighbours who were not pleased.

After church on Sunday we went to a pet store and purchased some cat food in case he came back.  I told the clerk that it was for a lost cat and she said I should look in his ear for a tattoo to trace the owner.  I wondered if he would ever allow me to get close enough to look in his ear if indeed, he came back.  I put out the new cat food and early Monday morning we heard him howling again and then I looked out to see him eating the food.  I took a few photos of him and went down to pet him and I must say that by now I was getting attached to him, even naming him Buster.

About Talebearing and Gossip

Last March my husband and I faced a challenge which was bad enough to cause me to go through something like the stages a person goes through when a loved one dies.  These stages are shock, denial, sadness, anger and then acceptance.  But this challenge came from people it should not have come from, that being not only fellow Christians, but also neighbours.

The challenge was that a private matter between us was taken by them to the leaders of the little church we attend.  Emails were shared and charges made against us, but of course, the whole story was not told.   My husband and I were told that we had to meet with the leaders of the church due to this "matter of concern".   My husband answered that this was a private matter between us and had nothing to do with the church and that we would not be meeting with anyone, and we made the decision to keep our mouths closed regarding this matter, that we would not be talking to anyone about it and that we would trust the Lord to carry us through.  As the months have passed since then, there have been no problems for us at the church, and in fact, the couple involved have left.

What does the bible say about talebearing and gossip?  How are Christians supposed to respond?  After this happened I read the book of Proverbs and it has much to say on the subject:

Proverbs 13:3 "He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction."

Proverbs 18:8 "The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly."

Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Proverbs 10:19 ".....he that restraineth his lips is wise."

Proverbs 11:9 "An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered."

Proverbs 11:12-13 "He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.  A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful sprit concealeth the matter."

There are many more verses regarding this matter, the wisdom of keeping one's mouth closed.

I am sharing  about this because if you ever find yourself in a similar situation,  follow the words of Proverbs, trust the Lord, keep your mouth closed and wait until it passes.  It will be difficult, but the Lord will carry you through.

_________________________
vcg