Cat-itudes of Gratitude

As we were trying to rearrange the garage years ago, I told my husband the cat-carrier should go to Goodwill since we no longer had a cat. My husband vetoed the idea saying one day we might have another cat. For a man who used to say he hated cats, my husband has owned (or been owned by) an incredible number of cats.

It all started with Smoky, a scrawny dark kitten I rescued from the clutches of a vicious tomcat. After I coaxed her inside, she accepted meat scraps and a bowl of milk, sat down, gave herself a bath and started to dominate the household. Like many cats, Smoky was independent. That is what cat-lovers call it; there are other words for it. She was incredibly finicky and went through numerous cat foods before choosing one to suit her palate. She could be picked up and loved only when she was in the mood. The children had the scratches to prove it. She hated the car, going to the vet, and shots. I had the scratches to prove it.

Smoky also didn’t like the kitty box. She told me so by kicking out the contents frequently—or leaving it entirely alone and finding alternatives. Then it was my job to find what she was using as a substitute. Whoever said cats never defile their beds didn’t know Smoky.

One day my eight-year-old son brought home another starving cat. After the traditional parent-child discussion about not feeding the world and money not growing on trees, I agreed to let him keep the nice kitty outside where it could eat the brands of cat food Smoky had rejected. So Chessie (short for Chesapeake because she looked like the gray tabby in railway ads) joined the family.

Chessie always greeted me joyfully, weaving herself around my ankles whenever I went out the door. She ate anything proffered, looking up gratefully and purring loudly even while chewing. She appreciated her warm bedding box and kept it clean. During her trips to the vet, Chessie curled up in my lap and purred coming and going. She even accepted the shots as something not understood but probably needed.

When we moved to a distant state, we could not take the cats with us. Chessie was adopted by the new owners of our house because they could see she was a good cat. But Smoky, whose manners made her unadoptable, became a mouser on a farm.

You’re probably asking: what does a story of two cats have to do with Thanksgiving? There are human counterparts to these two cats. Unfortunately, there seem to be more Smokys than Chessies. The ratio may be as high as 9-to-1.

Once as Jesus entered a village, ten lepers cried out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” He told them to show themselves to the priest to be pronounced clean. As they obeyed and went, they were healed. Only one, seeing his flesh totally free of leprosy, returned loudly praising God and fell down at Jesus’ feet to thank Him. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?” (Luke 17:17 NIV)

Today the same question could be asked. Where are the nine? Or the 90 or the 900…? If an attitude of gratitude is an index of spiritual health, it appears that many prefer to remain sick. They display the attitude of the caustic cat of the comics, Garfield, who looking out a window commented on all the people going to work to produce food, electricity, and kitty litter:  “All just for me. I’d thank them individually, but they know who they are.”

Do you verbalize your gratitude to people and to God? Or, like Garfield, do you take it for granted that they know? It takes time and effort to show gratitude. The leper had to walk a lot farther than those who did not turn around and return. But he gained more than they would ever know.

Elizabeth Elliott wrote, “It is always possible to be thankful for what is given rather than to complain about what is not given. One or the other becomes a habit of life.” What is your habit of life? Do you have an attitude of gratitude or an independent cat-itude? Are you a Chessie or a Smoky?

This Thanksgiving you may be thinking about turkeys, but I’ll be thinking about cats. I’ll be asking the Lord to help me be more like Chessie–to show my gratitude by my actions. To appreciate what He gives and not turn up my nose, wanting something else. And to accept even the painful things that are not understood but probably needed.

I guess what I’m asking is that He’ll teach me to purr.

Vicki Huffman’s Christian non-fiction book, The Best of Times, in which she uses many examples from the familiar to make a spiritual point, is now available on Kindle at amazon.com for only $2.99. The first chapter of her Christian novel, A Secret Hope, may be read free in the gift shop here.

Letters of Thanks to God

Years ago, I began a tradition of writing a thank you letter to God.  Each November I sat with pen in hand, silently reflecting in solitude on the gracious gifts God bestowed on me. If you could have looked into the windows of my life at the time, I possessed few belongings.  I left my abusive husband and travelled 1,100 miles to live in my parent’s basement.

Although I possessed few belongings, my heart overflowed with gratitude.

Non-things.  Those topped the list.  Family, friends, and my precious relationship with Jesus adorned this thank you letter to the Lord.  Freedom – something often taken for granted - also hit the top ten.  The fact that I could walk and move easily found its way into the letter. I’d been an athlete since childhood, but at age 28 a weird disease called ankylosing spondylitis entered my life.  Many say it’s more painful than childbirth, and by the time I started writing these letters, my heart filled with tears of gratitude if I could walk, dress myself, drive, and use the restroom without excruciating pain.

Over the years I wrote many such letters of thanks to God.  But somewhere along life’s voyage, I stopped writing them.  I don’t remember when or why, but before Thanksgiving, I once again will sit down with paper and pen to write my thank you letter to God.

And this year, I invite you to do the same.  Your heart will overflow with gladness as life’s pitfalls and dreary days fade into the background and gratitude bursts through like daffodils in early Spring.  Pull up a chair, grab a pen, a cup of coffee, and let your heart sing a song of gratitude to God.

Cherrie Herrin-Michehl
Visit Cherrie’s blog at www.cherriesotherblog.wordpress.com

Psalm 103
1Praise the Lord, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2Praise the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
7He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
8The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
14for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
15As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
17But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children—
18with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
19The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
20Praise the Lord, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
21Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
22Praise the Lord, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the Lord, O my soul.

Be a Blessing

It’s hard to believe that it’s the holiday season again.  As many of us sit down to a delicious, bountiful meal on Thanksgiving, no doubt we will be mindful of how God has blessed us in so many ways.

As children of God we are to stop and thank God and then pass on those blessings to others. We are to be forgiving and generous in our thoughts and actions. God gave us the ultimate example of a truly forgiving and generous heart by sending Jesus to die for us so that we could be reconciled to him.

Washing the dishes is my son’s daily contribution to our family’s “household maintenance.” Unfortunately, like many busy teenagers, he sometimes forgets to do the job or lets other activities (like checking email or watching television) get in the way of upholding his responsibility. That means we have to jog his memory a bit get him to do this chore.

We all need reminders at times. God made it very simple for us to know His thoughts and desires. He gave us the Bible! He guides us lovingly with some much needed reminders. He repeats words and phrases throughout Scripture to help us remember the things we are prone to forget. I’ve yet to find a passage in the Bible that I can share with my son, saying, “Do the dishes,” but there are two phrases that are repeated many times in Scripture have gotten my attention lately. Here they are: “Give thanks to the Lord.” and “Love one another”

I started thinking, why does God need to remind me to give thanks and love one another? Reflecting on our family’s daily dish washing scenario made me realize: it is because we often forget!

For a good reminder read Matthew 25: 35-40-  “whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

People will bring thanksgiving and praise to God as a result of our obedience. I hope that all of us will take a new look at the opportunities we have to bless people each day.  Whether it is comforting, sharing, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, helping the elderly, the list could go on and on. We have been given a great privilege and honor to become conduits of God’s blessing and provision to people in need.  If we cheerfully embrace these opportunities to give in the name of Jesus, they will see Him in us.

“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16

Donna Hutchman
Donna coordinates the women’s ministry program at Salmo Baptist Church in Salmo British Columbia where her husband serves as Pastor. You can visit Donna’s blog at http://donnakh.wordpress.com/

Countdown to Thanksgiving Dinner

The countdown is on for Thanksgiving–just one week from today! Over the years, MMCW has shared many of our family favorite recipes along with menu plans. If you’re still planning Thanksgiving dinner (I am!) then you will want to check out these great links:

Thanksgiving Countdown Daily Plan & Menu by Loi Palmer

Sweet Potato Pie by Kellie Renfroe

Edible Twist on Five Kernels Tradition by Page Hughes

Crafts and Ideas for Teaching Thankfulness to Children by Cheryl Moeller

Ketchup and Mustard, Please

I stretched my hair net over my curls, washed my hands, and put on gloves. As I walked to the serving station, my eyes scanned the room. Raining and storming outside. A couple hundred people inside. People.

Young.

Old.

Black.

White.

Down on their luck.

Homeless.

A booming voice emerged out of the crowd, “Let us pray.” I bowed my head and listened. In my heart, I prayed, “Lord, please multiply this food.”

And so it began.

Burgers.

Fries.

Bread.

Lettuce.

Tea.

And ice cream.

I had the lettuce. It’s the last on the food line, so I get to hand the plate to each person. I love it! It gives me an opportunity to ask how each person is doing, smile, look them in the eyes, and joke with them about getting their veggies.

I see familiar faces every time I go to the homeless shelter, and they recognize me. I’m always humbled and moved when I see years of pain, bruises, and tattered clothes on God’s beautiful children.

Someone on my team set out the condiments. Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and all the burger fixings.

A middle-aged woman–not more than 5-feet tall–picked up her plate, turned around toward the tables, and stopped. “Ketchup and mustard?!? That’s rich people stuff.”

She rushed over and piled the condiments onto her plate like a child unattended in a candy store.

Rich people stuff. I don’t know about you, but when I think of the wealthy, I don’t think of condiments. I see fancy cars, a huge home, and other luxuries.

That middle-aged woman sees it differently. I have a car and a home. I have ketchup, and I have mustard. Indeed, I am wealthy.

I may not be where I want to be in life. I may be facing many hardships.

Addictions.

Hurts.

Illness.

Family conflicts.

Financial troubles.

But God has promised never to leave me or to forsake me–whatever my circumstance (Hebrews 13:5). I can take comfort not in the riches of this world, but in the riches of faith, family, friends, food, and yes, ketchup and mustard.

Daphne Tarango is a freelance writer and speaker who comforts others with the comfort she herself has received from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). She lives in the Southeastern U.S., where she is a leader in a Bible-based recovery program. Contact Daphne at daphne@daphnewrites.com.

Dancing with God

“…the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;…” Isaiah 61:3

I do this tonight…this morning.  I fall to my knees somewhere between 3:00 and 3:30 a.m.  I come in repentance and brokenness before God.  I am God’s child, but I need to repent, to come before Him in my despair and grief.  I have allowed uncontrolled emotions and unprofitable thinking to operate quite freely in my life.  My Life Saver, God, shows up and demonstrates the way to become free from this “spirit of heaviness.” I accept God’s forgiveness and His help  offered to me in the early hours of the morning.

I have been praying gladness, rest, and a merry heart for several of my friends.  I recognize at this moment that I also need these things in my life.

I “try” the above Scripture.  In other words, I prove the Word to be true.  I experience what the Word declares.  As soon as I put on the garment of “praise,” the “spirit of heaviness” falls off and I get HAPPY FEET!

I begin to DANCE!  At first, the dance is for God, just to show Him I love Him.  He loves me back.  Dancing for God is quite exciting, but get this…He joins me in the dance!  God moves from His place on the sideline and comes to participate with me in the dance!  God comes, takes me in His arms, and dances with me…wow!

We twirl…pirouette…laugh…as we dance.

Every fiber of my being, the nerve endings of my physical body are SET ALIVE!  I am alive to God, His presence, His love, His forgiveness, and His power.  I am free!  I become aware of being  glad…restful… merry in heart.  I become alive and revived in my whole person.

I am so electrified by what is taking place.  I crawl into bed beside my husband and shake him gently and say, “Guess what just happened?”  He mutters something, so I assume he is awake to hear the telling of my glorious encounter with God.  I say, “I DANCED WITH GOD!”  I repeat it again, “I DANCED WITH GOD!”  My darling husband turns over and  replies very sleepily, “Ah, that’s good.”  Ah, that’s good?   Did he hear me?  Obviously, he is not awake enough to grasp what I share.  We laugh about this the next day.  I am still reeling in this wonderful dance with My Savior, and I try in detail to share with my husband, with better success, about my encounter with God.  He responds at this telling of the story, “What better partner could you have!  There was no need for me to get up at 4:00 in the morning and dance with you!”

Dancing with God!  It starts by “putting on” the garment of praise.

Betsey Kelley
Betsey Kelley is a wife and mother.  She has served over 30 years in local churches as youth coordinator with her husband for teens/singles, couples ministry, teacher, children’s ministries, and as choir director.  She and her husband of 30 years are the parents of two young men, Brandon and Zach.  Betsey lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband.

Faithful Grace

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (II Corinthians 12:9)

Every morning when my feet touch the floor I humbly thank God for another day that He’s given me to be up and about. Since my lightning accident, I vividly remember many days when I’ve been too sick to get out of bed. There have been times when I have wondered if I would ever be able to get around without the constant assistance of a wheelchair, walker, or cane.

I have always known God to be faithful, but after my accident 26 years ago I really sought after God. What I continue to find over and over is a loving heavenly Father that desires for me to grow in Him so He provides the grace for me to overcome the obstacles that are in my way.

One of my favorite authors, Roy Lessin says, “Grace enables you to do all God calls you to do today. Success is not based today upon what you can accomplish, but upon what He will do through you.”

I pray that you will let those words sink into your heart and no matter how inadequate you are feeling—God is in control of all things.

Why don’t you surrender and snuggle in the blanket of His grace.

Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!

Crystal Hathcock
Crystal is a freelance writer who loves to share her faith in Christ with others through writing.  She is a self taught cook and enjoys sharing new discoveries in the kitchen with her husband and friends. Her interests include singing at church in the choir, a girl’s group, and a mixed trio.  She finds enjoyment making jewelry, couponing, decorating and taking care of her husband and two puppies–Hankie and Calvin. Crystal blogs at The Road Less Traveled.

Has God Been Faithful to You?