The Warmth of Nearness

The Power of Two (or More)

                Wild Tabby could have been characterized as a kitten manufacturing machine. She was a cat that just appeared here at the farm. After living here for about five years, she disappeared. To my horror, she left us with two little kittens. Unfortunately, none of our mother cats expressed compassion to care for those orphan kittens. Surprisingly, the two tiny ones wormed their way in to eat with the older kittens and cats. Like their mother, the skittish kittens resisted being held but would tolerate being petted gently while eating.

                As autumn brought a chill to the mornings and evenings, a sight warmed my heart on several occasions. The first time I viewed this, I was returning from checking the cattle. To my delight, the tiny tabby kitten was cuddled close to one of the older cats. Its head was resting on the neck of the older feline. Finally, I decided to chronicle compassion and togetherness in the cat kingdom when I saw three older cats keeping the littlest kitten living on the farm warm. 

Older cats warmed the little
orphan kitten by "sandwiching" it 
between the two of them.

                Often, we are reminded in the scripture to observe animals and their behavior. As I snapped these photos of the cats, I thought of Solomon’s passage in Ecclesiastes about the importance of comradery, encouragement, and helping one another. The King of Israel who ruled during the Golden Age pitied anyone who was alone in difficulty or even in work. Then the verse from the passage in Ecclesiates came to mind when I glimpsed the orphan kitten resting cozily between two of our older cats. Ecclesiastes 4:11 reads Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? King Solomon concluded with this phrase, …a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

                In sincerity, may we eagerly support the weak, befriend those alone, lift up the fallen, and come to the aid of the defenseless. As we enter the cold season, in a tangible way we can provide warmth to the one in need of  home heating fuel. 

               Shivering bodies and red, chapped hands should be cocooned in warmth provided by coats and gloves. James 2:15-16 says If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," and you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?

              A word of encouragement can warm a heart. A scripture passage shines the glowing light of the awareness of the never-changing Father of lights into a heart frozen by incessant rejection and hurt. The epitome of successfully comforting, encouraging, and extending warmth shows in the restful peace visible in the countenance of the one so alone and so in need.

What a picture of peace on the face of the little orphan kitten as it rested between
Oreo Cookie Cat and Scaredy Cat!

The Stately Cottonwood in Autumn

Even though winter arrived before its scheduled appearance on the calendar and the featured cottonwood is devoid of leaves, I chose to post this autumnal offering this week. 

                Several times this autumn season, Mother and I viewed a gorgeous gold tree appearing to illuminate each trip between Ralston and the Bend. Our neighbors, Greg and Vonda Goad, mentioned glimpsing it quite a distance east of its location as they traveled back to their home in the Bend. Its stunning, stately brilliance stood silently but its seasonal message resounded loudly.

The stately cottonwood on the
Hightower place in Pawnee
County

                Striking colors of autumn signal the slow, gradual approach of the cold, brown winter. As with many others, I have drained and stored the garden hose and its cart. I made sure the brush and weeds around the stock tank are down even though Mother advised to “let Jack get it.” Thankfully, we have more hay than we have ever had on my watch. Dave Goad processed our hay. Caleb and Rick Rice helped on the hay front, too. A few inconsequential tasks remain unchecked on my “Prepare for Winter” mental list.

                God reminds us gently of the impending weather change. In the same way, Jesus warns his disciples to read the trees. In three of the four gospels, Jesus’s parable of the fig tree is recorded. He predicts the destruction of Jerusalem, which occurs in 70 A.D. when Titus, the Roman general who later ruled as emperor for a couple of years, decimates the revered city of the Israeli people. Jesus says as the fig tree leafing out indicates summer approaching, so the signs of which Jesus speaks alert the world to His second coming.

As Jesus spoke of the leaves of the fig tree, may
our autumn leaves encourage us to more obedience.

                Matthew 24:35, Mark 14:31, and Luke 21:33 record this quote from Jesus Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Jesus concludes His teaching to His disciples admonishing faithfulness and watchfulness.

                Mother enabled me to commit this verse to memory in my younger days by her oft quoting of it. James 4:17 stated Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. James, the half-brother of Jesus, ironically only believed Jesus was the Son of God and Savior of the world after the death and resurrection of Jesus. James reminded the early church that human lives are temporal and uncertain. For this reason, our goal should aim for faithfulness to His Word and anticipation of  His return.

                As the golden cottonwood shimmers in the glistening fall sunlight, may our lives of integrity exalt the Savior we worship. Then may we inspire those around us to faithfully follow His principles for a strong society, closely-knit families, and individual lives that stand stalwart no matter the season.

A Little Sadness at the First Freeze

As I post this, I mused about the summer of 2011 when the drought interfered with the productivity of  Dad's garden. I insisted in dragging the hose down the rows determined to keep the withering tomato plants on life support. More than once Dad called from his chair, "Let 'em go! They're dead!" My ultra-sensitivity caused me to persist well past fruitfulness!

Sadness over an Interruption in Fruitfulness

                As the meteorologist began predicting frost and freeze dates for our location, I mourned a bit. I told Mother a few weeks ago how prolific the perky, tiny yellow blooms were on a couple of the tomato plants. The mention of frost and freeze saddened me. Several of the hearty tomato plants would soon have their fruitfulness terminated abruptly.

One of the hearty tomato plants late in the season.

                The words of Jesus came to mind as I looked at those doomed plants. Jesus answered his disciples with these words recorded in John 9:4 -

I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

Jesus indicated there was a time of productivity in His ministry on earth. In the same way, there are timely windows of opportunities for us. Paul uses the phrase “redeeming the time.” My grandpa, Calvin Callcayah Smith, loved to read the Phillips translation of the New Testament. This is how Ephesians 5:15-17 is rendered:

Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as men who do not know the meaning and purpose of life but as those who do. Make the best use of your time, despite all the difficulties of these days. Don’t be vague but firmly grasp what you know to be the will of God.

                When I have been questioned about knowing the will of God, I start with the words of Jesus from John 6:40 when He succinctly answered that question-

“And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Our starting point in knowing and doing the will of God begins with a belief in Jesus, the Son of God. This belief indicates a reliance on Him much as a child has complete dependence on the parent for all that is needed for that little one to exist. Some people confuse Biblical belief in Jesus with a mental assent or acknowledgement that someone such as George Washington lived. Agreeing that George Washington lived doesn’t alter our daily lives. Even if we add to our belief that Washington was an American Revolutionary War hero, the first United States president, and an influential founding father, our day-to-day existence remains unaffected. But Biblical belief in Jesus involves embracing His perfection. Only the perfect Son of God could die for our sins. The believer is assured of everlasting life because of the promise of Jesus to raise up that person that believes.

                One certainty of this life is that change will take place. Opportunities to do the will of God may disappear never to be presented again. I am keenly aware of how quickly occasions for ministry can disappear. Over my life, I have become painfully aware of limited chances to share the good news of Jesus and impact lives for good. I seek to heed the words and actions of Jesus and utilize the present time and opportunities.

                My mother celebrated her 94^th birthday last month. She commented to me how rapidly time seems to fly by. Her statement typified why intentional living in the present is essential to fruitfulness. Remorse over the past and worry about the future rob us of precious time and interrupt living fully in the present moment.

                One of the most important aspects of living in the present involves encouraging those God brings across our path. Our encouragement should reach the young who are beginning their walk with the Lord. Others need uplifting as they struggle with recovery from perceived failure. Fatigued and weary people we encounter benefit from our urging them to continue doing what is good and right, resisting the impulse to quit. In return, we receive profit from each person we encourage! This type of living ensures fruitfulness year-round in our lives and in those we encounter daily - no matter how cold it gets. Frost and freezing will not interfere with this fruitful productivity. 

                Finally, one of my favorite verse prayers in the Bible is in the Apostle John’s third epistle. What a beautiful prayer for someone in whom you see or desire to see fruitfulness! Nothing could bring more joy than prosperity of the soul of a loved one. 

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

III John 2

              Our Thanksgiving observances this week will likely afford an opportunity to encourage fruitfulness in at least one cherished family member. May this action make this a memorable Thanksgiving with far-reaching effects.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!