By Robin Wiley
I am a letter writer. Always have been even before computers came out – I would write them out by hand (yes, old school!). I may have mentioned this before in a previous devotional, but my stepdad liked to write poems and he also was a collector of stories, songs and other interesting snippets. Back in April of 2011, he wrote me a letter with a story he received from one of his pastor friends in Florida about a pastor’s cat. I am NOT a cat person; I prefer dogs, so I dedicate this devotional to the Sanchez family – who love cats and have plenty of them!
My Dad had written to me that this particular story made him laugh and every time he thought about it, the vision of that poor cat amused him to no end. It is my hope this story leaves a bright spot in your day. Whoever said the Creator doesn’t have a sense of humor?
The Pastor’s Cat – by Jim Craig as told by Delmer Korf
An old friend recently told a story about the pastor of his church. He had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his backyard and then was afraid to come down. The pastor coaxed, offered warm milk, etc.
The kitty would not come down. The tree was sturdy enough to climb, so the pastor decided if he tied a rope to his car and pulled it until the tree bent down, he could then reach up and get the kitten.
That’s what he did, all the while checking his progress in the car. He then figured if he went just a little bit farther, the tree would be bent sufficiently for him to reach the kitten. But as he moved the car a little farther forward, the rope broke.
The tree went “boooooing!” and the kitten instantly sailed through the air – out of sight.
The pastor felt terrible. He walked all over the neighborhood asking people if they’d seen a little kitten. No, nobody had seen a stray kitten. So he prayed, ‘Lord, I just commit this kitten to your keeping.” And went on about his business.
A few days later he was at the grocery store and met one of his church members. He happened to look into her shopping card and was amazed to see cat food. This woman was a cat hater, and everyone knew it, so he asked her, ‘Why are you buying cat food when you hate cats so much?’ She replied, ‘You won’t believe this,’ and then told him how her little girl had been begging her for a cat, but she kept refusing. Then a few days before, the child had begged again, so the Mom finally told her little girl, ‘Well, if God gives you a cat, I’ll let you keep it.’ She told the pastor, “I watched my child go out in the yard, get on her knees, and ask God for a cat. And really, Pastor, you won’t believe this, but I saw it with my own eyes. A kitten suddenly came flying out of the blue sky, with it’s paws outspread, and landed right in front of her!”
RW comment – LOL!! See how God takes care of even our smallest needs or concerns? What a loving Father He is! Pour out your heart to Him this Holy Week and see how He will fill up your cup with blessings through His Son Jesus!
“Fill My Cup Lord”
Like the woman at the well, I was seeking
For things that never satisfy.
And then I heard my Savior speaking
“Draw from the well that never will run dry” (Lord please fill my cup)
Chorus:
Fill my cup, Lord
I lift it up, Lord
Come and quench this thirsting in my soul
Bread of Heaven feed me till I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.
So my brother & sister if the things this world gave you
Leave hungers that won’t go away
My blessed Lord will come and save you
If you kneel to Him and humbly pray
Repeat Chorus:
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole
Lord make me whole!