Mouser
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:18 (NLT)
Back on the farm, we always had cats. Some were barn cats that kept the mouse population somewhat under control and some were inside-outside cats that kept the bravest mice from moving into the house. They did their jobs without hesitation. Janet Holm McHenry (All God’s Creatures) shares a story of patience and perspective about her mouser.
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Because we have a large sandbox in the backyard, for years I have been chasing away neighborhood cats. I want the sandbox reserved for grandchildren’s play, not used as a litterbox for felines.
One tiger-striped cat, however, seems to love our place. During the winter I’ve found him huddled under the patio chair cushions. In the spring and fall, I’ve seen him guarding the perimeter by walking along the top of our wooden fence.
And this summer he has been resting in the shade of our fruit trees. Despite my best attempts to shoo him away, he has remained a faithful companion while I have tended my garden, weeded the perimeter of the yard, and mowed the lawn.
One day I was sweeping the front and back balconies of our two-story home, when I realized that we hadn’t had the usual mouse invasion that had become typical for midsummer. Our “air conditioning” is opening the front and back balcony doors upstairs. However, we must watch for mice, because occasionally one will sneak in.
But this summer—no mice! Our pest of a cat was actually saving us from pests in our house. So, while I’m not feeding him, I am also not shooing him off anymore.
Sometimes the small annoyances of my life can be blessings in disguise. For me that tiger cat—who doesn’t tread at all in the sandbox—is now God’s gift for a summer free of mice. It just took a quick switch of perspective; one He gives freely when I’m willing to look in another direction.
Count your blessings, name them one by one; count your blessings, see what God has done. ~Johnson Oatman
Loving Lord, thank You for all the blessings that You pour out upon us. Please forgive us when we don’t even recognize them. Teach us to open our eyes to learn more of Your wonderful ways. AMEN.