Philippians 4:5
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
As soon as she can reach and grab, my granddaughter, Virginia Rose, takes aim for the family cat, Aslan.
Fortunately for her, he is a laid-back gentleman of a feline who tolerates a tug to his fur or tail as if it were a love pat. No protests. No retaliation.
It's all good!
But, my daughter, Sarah, and her husband, John, know Virginia's roughhousing won't be welcomed by other, less patient animals. Especially, my elderly, cantankerous, curmudgeon of a cat, Jordan.
They correct Virginia's behavior toward Aslan, teaching her the proper way to stroke him. Softly. Gently.
She learns quickly and mends her ways.
Still, when Virginia is around Jordan, I keep a close watch. She may be gentle with her touch, but the cat, who is easily irritated, could lash out with a claw.
And, one day, Jordan does just that. With seemingly little or no provocation.
It is the barest of pinpricks on Virginia's skin. There are no tears. But, she is momentarily taken aback.
The two sit at a distance for a few moments, carefully eyeballing one another.
Jordan languidly turns away and stares out the window as if nothing ever happened.
Virginia finally reaches out a tentative hand toward the cat.
Touches her fur, oh, so lightly.
Pat. Pat. Pat.
This time, Jordan sits quietly, accepting the touch of this sweet, tiny hand.Virginia looks up at me with a smile full of sunshine.
"Kittah," she says.
~
Are you showing your gentleness of spirit to others?
Will you pray with me?
Help us, Father, to always treat others with the same kindness and gentleness with which we would like to be treated. Let our spirit of gentleness be evident to all. Be near to us, Lord, we pray. Amen.
Readings
Psalms 31 or 35
Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
Philippians 4:1-9
John 17:9-19
Awww, what a great post!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for coming by today!
DeleteGlad you liked it. :)
Blessings!
This is so cute...nice lesson here.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for dropping by, Janaki!
DeleteGlad you enjoyed the lesson. :)
Blessings!
Here is a lesson for all of us! The photos are so precious :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by, Nelieta!
DeleteGlad you enjoyed the photos. Danny is usually the one who takes the pictures, but I actually snapped these with my trusty "Elf". :)
Blessings!
Adorable Virginia and dashing Kittah !Wonderful moment.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for coming by, Kavita!
DeleteI have to confess, any chance I can write a post that involves my granddaughter, I do! She is my little cutie. :)
Blessings!
Great message...I love Aslan's name and the pics were adorable! Your grand daughter is priceless!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for coming by, Jessica!
ReplyDeleteIsn't Aslan a great name for a cat? :) Glad you liked the photos of the little angel, too.
Blessings!
Martha, Both of them look so adorable. I like the way you weave a story using real people in your life and the message is always very inspiring. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by today, Sulekha, and thanks so much for your kind compliment.
DeleteI do love it when the stories come; I can't always blog this way, but much prefer it.
Glad you were inspired!
Blessings!
awe so sweet, I have one kitty Lew doesn't mess with at all, he has learned that rough as he is the kitty is rougher. We have taught him gentle as well but Ori doesn't care, kids are not his favorite. not until they can sit quiet long enough for him to take a nap on their lap...Although as you saw from the photo last week he has no problem sharing a bed with them...I loved this Martha.. beautiful
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jan, for stopping by and leaving this wonderful comment.
DeleteKids and cats - what a combination! :) I'm glad Lew knows better than to mess with Ori who sounds a lot like Jordan.
Yes, and that photo with the cats was so precious!
Blessings to you!
Hi, Martha! ~
ReplyDeleteYou have outdone yourself today! This is so sweet -- great message, too! I love the pictures -- especially the last one! Wonderful story! XOXOX
Thanks so much, Linda, for dropping in today and for your sweet compliments.
DeleteGlad you liked the photos; I'm certainly not as good as Danny with a camera, but was so pleased with these shots taken with mine.
Yes, the last one is my favorite, too!
Blessings!
This is such a very sweet message and made all the dearer by that picture commentary, Martha. Outstanding! ♥
ReplyDeleteHi, Corinne!
DeleteSo glad you stopped by and that you enjoyed this post. I so enjoyed writing it and putting the photos together.
Blessings always! <3
Aside from having asthma, I have never touched a cat in my life because I'm afraid of its claws. I saw children and babies do it spontaneously the way Virginia did. Like newborns, animals are very sensitive to touch. And they rely on that (aside from gentle words) for their master's love and affection.
ReplyDeleteI could imagine jesus' touch through the hands of your granddaughter...so comforting, pure and innocent...
I pray with you...may we lend other people our therapeutic touch... the One that'll remind them that God is indeed very near.
Great to see you here, Melissa!
DeleteSorry about the asthma; that must make it hard to be around many different things, not just animals.
So sweet that you imagined Jesus' touch in Virginia's - we are to be His hands and feet in this world, to lovingly touch others in His name.
Thank you for praying with me!
Blessings!