8If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are
there.
9If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of
the sea,
10even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast.
11If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me
become night,"
12even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my
mother's womb." (Psalm 139:7-13)
A stray cat took up residence in my garage on Christmas Eve.
At least I think it was Christmas Eve… I always close my garage door, but
was off my usual routine that night and it stood open all night long. And
I first caught a glimpse of this black and white and furry animal on
Christmas Day.
You may remember that it snowed and snowed on the 24th so it's no surprise
that a cold creature would take up residence in the shelter my garage
provides.
At first I tried to leave the garage door open hoping it would find its
way out again.
It has not.
Next I put a little food and water (and a litter box) out there --- trying
to determine if it was still there. It was, for sure enough the food was
eaten, the water gone, and the litter box used.
After that I purchased a live animal trap and baited it with tuna. I
thought maybe I could capture it and take it to TAILS … or at least to a
vet to be checked out. This is a smart cat though… It somehow managed to
get the tuna out without tripping the trap.
Since then I've decided just to keep feeding it and watering it and
changing its litter box in hopes that I might regain its trust enough for
it to come out from hiding. For you see, I can't find it. I think it
must be hiding in the rafters beyond my sight and my reach. I know it's
still out there for the food keeps getting eaten and the litter box keeps
being used. And a few days ago, I caught a glimpse of it again… on a
balmier January day when the garage door was left open for a few minutes…
it had found its way outside. As soon as I started to close the door,
though, it scurried right back inside. Like I said, this is a smart cat.
Now I don't know this cat of course. I'm pretty certain it was left
behind by my neighbors when they moved out a few weeks ago – at least it
bears a striking resemblance to the one that used to sit in their window.
I don't have anything against cats and have been known to feel some
affection for those belonging to others… but I've never actually had one
of my own. I'm finding though that as I check its food bowl in the
morning and break the ice on its water bowl and clean out its litter box
that more and more I'm worrying about it. And yet, still it hides from
me. Choosing to stay in a cold, dark garage over the possibility of a
warm, dry house where it would be cared for and loved.
And so, I wonder about us. How often you and I behave like that cat who
has taken up residence in my garage. I wonder if we hide from the
Provider of our every need, grateful enough to at least have enough to be
fed, but not willing to fully trust. And yet, in our unwillingness to
come out in the open, in our inability to fully trust, we deprive
ourselves of so much more.
For you see, so far as it is in my power, I will not let this cat die.
And in the meantime, there's not much more I can do. In the same way God
provides for our every need… and while God knows where we are hiding, God
won't drag us out against our will. Even so, God is just waiting for us
to come out in the open and to trust him with our lives…
And when you think about it, why do we hide anyway? For as the psalmist
says above, wherever we go, God is already there. God knows us fully and
God loves us completely.
So come out in the open. Come out where you can fully experience all the
gifts God has waiting for you!
Peace to you and many blessings.
Pastor Janet
Coming up this week at Salem:
"Dine with the Kings" Sunday, January 9th at 9:15 in Fellowship Hall Come
along and celebrate Epiphany with Salem's Puppets, Davey and Goliath
Video, and children of all ages. If you're able, bring some breakfast
food to share. Beverages and table ware will be provided. Also, your
gifts of new children's clothing will be received and dedicated at worship
at all three services this week-end.
No comments:
Post a Comment