We've just come off this series from Mom's journal on faith. And whenever we study a certain topic, you just know that you will be tested on it. And tested I was. Sometimes, well lets face it, lots of times, I don't understand the Lord's ways. The Lord tells us in Isaiah 55:8-9 "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. "For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. All I can say to that is "ain't it the truth!"
My family had one of the most heart wrenching experiences last Friday. One of my cats got out of the house and was lost. Our little Noah, who is extremely shy, even in the house with us, was now out in the big open world, alone and I'm sure terrified. And I couldn't find him. Noah loves to be petted and cuddled, but only when he is ready...otherwise he will scoot away from us when we try to approach him. So there was no way this cat was going to come to me when I called to him, especially if he was scared. The best I can figure is he, unbeknownst to me, was in this cubby space in the garage while I was in and out of there, and took it upon himself to stroll out when the door was open.
Hours of searching, traipsing in the wooded area across from my house, calling, walking to the other side of the overgrown woods, finding the smallest pathways to get through to the center of the heavily vined, jungly strip across from my home. Still nothing. And while doing all this I was praying, and crying, and praying and crying. But something amazing was happening. I was trusting. I was reminding myself of God's goodness. I even sang the simple "Jesus Loves Me" song through my sobs, knowing that He indeed did love me and His little one Noah. As I was doing all this praying, I heard strongly and clearly in my head, "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11.
Now, I have to say, as I was searching, everything seemed to conspire against me for finding him, or even hearing him. Children's shouts and laughter could be heard from the nearby school. It seems everyone's home needed the lawn mowed right at that moment, along with leaf blowers and of course, lots of cars coming home from work. Even the birds seemed extremely noisy and excited. I couldn't buy a quiet moment to hear my little Noah"s meows. And the devil continually whispered in my ear...."See, God is mean. Why did He let this happen? He's not hearing your prayers. He won't even make it quiet so you can hear...." Things like that. And the Holy Spirit kept reminding me that nothing separates from God's love. And He was praying for us. And He was for us. Talk about a running battle inside your head!! I am happy to say for once, God won!!
Okay, first things first, I send off a text to a dear sister and friend for prayer. I thank God for those we can go to in these times, thankful we have someone who knows and understands the anguish of our hearts. Next, off I went to borrow some traps from the kitten and cat adoption agency I help out at. As I drove to get the traps I saw this small star on one of the light poles. (They were put up to encourage local residents after a terrible storm had destroyed many homes in our area). And this star said FAITH. God is so good. All throughout this ordeal, His message and encouragement and care was shining through. And I thank God for my Director's knowledge, as she suggested getting a hot roasted chicken and putting it in the open garage to attract Noah back. So I set my traps, put the juice of the chicken by the garage door, the other part back by the cubby area where Noah feels safe and secure hiding, and I went inside to let things get quiet. As evening was approaching I continually checked the traps, nothing. My heart was breaking, yet I continued to trust (this is such a victory for me).
Sometimes in life, we go through exceptionally dark periods. Some are prolonged. Some only last a few hours but all so painful. We wonder how we can hang on. How we can continue to put one foot in front of the other. I wondered how I would continue to do life if I had to live without knowing what happened to our Noah. These are the times we have to dig in, and tenaciously cling to our knowledge that God is good. God is for us. And God is working all things our for our benefit. He is not ever against us, nor ever means us harm or evil. It's hard to remember when things seem to spiral out of control or the difficulties won't let up. But that's what faith is, and that's what faith does.
And Noah? He's fine. He came out from wherever he had hidden himself. After a couple of hours of quiet outside, I checked under the cubby area, and there he was, in the corner with the biggest, most frightened eyes I've ever seen, but safe and sound. Today he is no worse for the wear after his harrowing adventure to the outside world. He's being Noah, liking his belly rubs and cuddles on his terms. And his Mom and Dad are happy to have him home.
Faith. Lord, we need it, but so often it's hard to find in our hearts. It's hard to believe You love us and are doing the best for us when things go wrong. Help us. I know we have to choose. Give us the strength to choose faith. Help us to hear Your voice over all and any other. Lord, I pray for those who are facing troubles and hardship. I pray You will help them through. And I pray You will give them peace to face things with You. Lord, so often we don't understand and that makes it hard for us to trust. Expand our vision of You. Expand our understanding of Your love.
Today, take the verse from Jeremiah 29:11 and hold onto it whatever comes your way. Choose to believe it over everything else you see, feel and think. And for added assurance of God's sovereignty read 39-41
Job 40:1-2 Then the Lord said to Job, "Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God's critic, but do you have the answers?
No comments:
Post a Comment