For
Thou Art With MePsalm 23:4 (KJV)
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will
fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort
me.
"Bobby" our new bob-tailed cat (Manx)
made his first trip through the required "valley of the shadow of
death"......The Vet...to get neutered. I guess from a cats
point of view it is like some ghoulish horror story. First he
was snatched from the comfort and stability of his care free cat
world, our yard and home. Then, he was placed in a small
casket like device called a "pet carrier" and whisked off to the
dark valley of the veterinary's office to be drugged into total
unconsciousness while the Evil Vet does unthinkable things to
his body.
Yet, he did not go through this terrible ordeal,
alone. "Stick Monkey", his favorite inanimate companion went with
him to provide comfort and remind him of the familiar smells and touch
of his heavenly home under the care of the neighborhood's
greatest lover of animals, my wife, Lisa.
Two days later, he made it back home, alive and well,
though a little changed, to sleep, play and become a kitty "Holy Roller"
(the next Fuzzy Theology). Both "Bobby" and his companion, "Stick
Monkey", returned to their former place of rest and peace--the recliner
in my office. They made it through the "valley of the shadow of
death," together.
Life seems to require that we go through our own
dark valley at least once, mostly several times. Jesus did not
promise a life of perpetual rest or peace; He just promised that if we
stay close to Him he will send his "Stick Monkey" with us, the Holy
Spirit, to remind us that we are not alone and He has prepared an
eternal home for us. The experience will even change our character
for the better.
Several years ago, I had a heart attack and had to
have open heart surgery. The surgeon said I only had a 50/50
chance of living and did I have anything I would like to say before the
surgery. I waited for the rush of fear to overwhelm me, but it did
not come. I remembered the words of Jesus, "And be sure of this: I
am with you always, even to the end of the age." I looked up at
the surgeon and said, "Let's go."
John 14:15-17 (MsgB)
"If you love me, show it by doing what I've told you. [16] I will talk
to the Father, and he'll provide you another Friend so that you will
always have someone with you. [17] This Friend is the Spirit of Truth.
The godless world can't take him in because it doesn't have eyes to see
him, doesn't know what to look for. But you know him already because he
has been staying with you, and will even be in you!
Thank God we do not have to walk through our
required dark valleys alone!
Amen.
by
Pastor John
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