Filthy Rags

Posted on September 20, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags… Isaiah 64:6 (NKJV)

I started a new job this summer, helping my husband with his property management business. We prepare guest houses and yards for visitors to this beautiful part of Montana. It is a family under-taking with our kids doing lawn care and household tasks. My job is to help when there is cleaning.

Each home has a cleaning closet with all the necessary supplies, including a box of clean rags. One by one I use the rags to wipe the kitchen, dust the living room, and scrub the bathrooms. I’m always grabbing a new rag to make the house shine. Sometimes my husband uses one of my damp rags to wipe down the blackened grill outside. By the end of my shift, I depart with a bucket of grungy rags to wash and return the next time.

The other day I came across this verse from Isaiah about filthy rags. Whereas I would like to be one of the clean rags in the closet, Isaiah says all my good deeds are like filthy rags to God! He’s not talking about my sins, he’s referring to the good things like baking cookies for a neighbor and sending a card to a sick person. My righteousness is like the grimy bucket of dirty fabric I bring home from these cleaning projects. Oh, what a sobering thought!

The Message Bible says it like this:

We’re all sin-infected, sin-contaminated.
Our best efforts are grease-stained rags. Isaiah 64:6 (MSG)

With God’s Word telling us we’re no good, what hope do we have? We have the hope of Jesus Christ! He promises to wash away all our sins and make us clean and new and righteous, so that one day we can stand before God, not as filthy rags, but as those who have been washed by the blood of the Lamb.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (NKJV)

“Though your sins are like scarlet,
      They shall be as white as snow;
      Though they are red like crimson,
      They shall be as wool. “ Isaiah 1:18 (NKJV)

“These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Revelation 7:14 (NKJV)

Today’s TEA CUPP: As you go about your cleaning tasks at home or work today, remember Isaiah’s words about filthy rags. Let’s confess our sins to God and let Jesus wash us white as snow.

Heaven is for Real

Posted on September 3, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

I just read the most wonderful page-turner called “Heaven is for Real” by Todd Burpo. Friends have been telling me for months I need to read this book, and finally I borrowed a copy from my dear neighbor Marie.

This true story describes the journey of an almost four-year old boy who goes to heaven while undergoing a late surgery for appendicitis. In the months following the surgery the boy, Colton, shares his heavenly experience with his parents.

Things I love about this book:

The description of Jesus in the throne room with God. When I pray to Jesus, I have a vague picture of Jesus in my mind. Because Colton went to heaven for three minutes during his appendicitis surgery, I now have an image of the throne room of God. Colton tells his parents all about the rainbow colors of heaven and how Jesus sits at the right hand of His Dad. On the left side sits the angel Gabriel. Colton even meets John the Baptist and God the Holy Spirit who is sort of “blue.” I now have this picture in my mind as I have my TEA CUPP prayer time with Jesus each morning.

When Pastor Todd (Colton’s dad) is ranting at God in the hospital, asking God “is this how you treat your pastors?!!!” Todd had just endured a year of testing with three major attacks on his own health. Now was God going to take his son? No! Jesus showed Todd’s son the wonders of heaven and sent Colton back to earth in answer to Todd’s prayer. Wow! I love that we can be real with God and share our deepest hurts. How many times did I ask God, “Is this how you treat your church camp managers?” when fires and flooding and financial troubles engulfed us. The Lord loves us so much that He hears and answers our prayers, despite our anger and doubts.

The promise that our unborn babies are waiting for us in heaven. In one chapter we learn that Colton has two sisters, his older sister Cassie on earth and another sister he met in heaven. This heavenly sister was miscarried at just two months gestation, but Colton’s parents had never told him about her. They didn’t even know she was a girl! What hope this gives me with the three babies we have lost. They are all waiting for me in heaven.

Today’s TEA CUPP: You need to read this tear-jerker if you are…

Wondering what heaven will be like,
Need reassurance that Jesus hears your prayers,
Or have ever lost a baby or child. You will be blessed.
Heaven is definitely for real!

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:1-4 (NKJV)

“M & M” Prayers

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

Now to Him who is able to do iMmeasurably More than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

My friend Tobie came to the door again the other day with armfuls of baby clothes. Her nephew is growing and they are passing on what he has outgrown. I’m so blessed to receive these lovely baby items. Friends found out that God has answered our prayers — after 11 years of praying we’re having another baby! I’m overwhelmed by their generosity. And it was just one day in spring that I whispered a prayer to Jesus asking for clothes.

First my friend Jessica came with maternity clothes and then baby clothes, then Tobie, then Amy, then Crystal. God is so good! My maternity mutterings turned into immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine. Thank you, Jesus, for taking such good care of us, please bless my dear friends!

Our pastor preached recently on this verse from Ephesians. I love God’s promise to do iMmeasurably More than we can ask or imagine. Isn’t that an amazing promise? I call it my “M&M prayers.”

How does this work? I’ve been praying so much. I can’t pray anymore. I give it all to Jesus and I claim His promise from Ephesians 3:20-21 to do iMmeaurably More. That’s it. Dearest Jesus, Please take this prayer concern and do iMmeasurabley More than I can ask or imagine. I know you can Move Mountains, Lord. Thank you, dear Jesus.

It’s fun to read other versions of the Bible and find out how they express this M&M prayer…

“exceeding abundantly above”
“far beyond”
“far more”
“far exceedingly above”
“all things more abundantly”
“far more abundantly”
“infinitely more”
“much more”
“more plenteously”
“above and beyond”
“far more abundantly beyond”

I still wonder why other prayers I’ve prayed everyday for years, God has yet to answer. I prayed over a decade for our church camp to be blessed with campers and finances, and instead groups canceled. We pray for loved ones to return to God’s path, and they are still wandering from it. I shared this concern with my friend Claire and she knew just what I meant. Claire replied,

“When my husband Pete was dying of cancer, I prayed for a miracle. A man in my office received a pack of pens one day and exclaimed, ‘Oh, good! I’ve been praying for pens.’ I’m thinking, ‘God hears prayers for pens and not for Pete!’ It doesn’t make sense!”

Yet over 10 years later, God is using the hurts of Claire’s life as she reaches out to help others who are hurting in prison ministry. God is doing exceeding abundantly above what we could imagine. I pray that He also will do far beyond what I can dream for the church camp that continues on without us. I pray that He will do infinitely more for our loved ones than I could ever hope or pray. And I know that He loves me, because He heard my maternity mutterings, and has blessed me and our baby with clothes after 11 years of prayer. Thank you, dear Jesus.

Today’s TEA CUPP: iMmeasurably More…M&M Prayers. How are your prayers today? Have you prayed all you can pray? Are you discouraged? Just as a bag of M&Ms brings joy to the chocolate lover, let your M&M prayers bring joy to your soul. Give it to Jesus and ask Him for iMmeasurably More today.

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 (NIV)

Gallon Water Jug Prayers

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8 (NKJV)

The TEA CUPP just isn’t big enough any more.

My friend Claire works in a big city with girls going in and out of prison. They deal with gangs, drugs, abuse and family members who keep them in this cycle. The TEA CUPP just isn’t big enough to hold all the prayers needed for these girls…for our friends with cancer…for all our friends out of work…for college students struggling to find their way…for children serving in the military…for churches falling away from God’s Word…for countries leaving their Christian foundations…for families splitting apart…for souls searching for salvation that only can be found in Jesus…

And so Claire suggests we bump up My TEA CUPP Prayers to GALLON WATER JUG Prayers. We need more and bigger prayers to keep the enemy at bay. My son began swim lessons this week and as I looked at the pool I thought, “We need SWIMMING POOL Prayers.” Yet, that also may not be big enough. Perhaps we need OCEAN Prayers to cover all the hurts and hopes in this world.

This is why all of our prayers are so important. When a church sends out a prayer request, together our little TEA CUPP Prayers can make a GALLON WATER JUG Prayer, or a SWIMMING POOL Prayer, or even an OCEAN Prayer. Together we can shake the heavens with our prayers!

But truly it isn’t the size of our prayers that matters, it’s the size of our God. And He is the greatest in the universe! God promises in His Word, that He will hear and answer our prayers…

By awesome deeds in righteousness You will answer us,
O God of our salvation,
You who are the confidence of all the ends of the earth,
And of the far-off seas. Psalm 65:5 (NKJV)

God also promises that if I have faith as small as a mustard seed, nothing will be impossible for me. He will hear and answer my TEA CUPP Prayers. But on the tough days, I’ll be praying Claire’s GALLON WATER JUG, too.

Today’s TEA CUPP: What about you? Are you overwhelmed by the prayer needs in your world? Meet with Jesus each day for TEA and share your heart with Him. Trust Him to be big enough to take care of your prayers, even when your faith is as small as a mustard seed.

Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 (NIV)

Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable. Isaiah 40:28 (NKJV)

New International Version (NIV)

“It was then that I carried you.”

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

Your way was in the sea,
Your path in the great waters,
And Your footsteps were not known. Psalm 77:19 (NKJV)

I was unpacking a few more boxes the other day. This sea of moving boxes in our house is overwhelming, but if I take one box at at a time, I can do it.

I decided to tackle the bathroom. We have an ocean theme with a fish shower curtain, lighthouse wall-hanging, etc. On the counter I placed the decorations from our old home, a jar of shells from the ocean and the Footprints Poem given to me by my college roommate.

The poem tells the story of a person walking along the beach and looking back at the footprints. He notices that at the hardest times in his life, there is only one set of footprints and he asks the Lord, “Why?”

Often I just look at the poem and smile, not really reading it. But two years ago today, July 25, 2009, we lost a baby and almost lost me. After giving up too much blood and moving towards unconsciousness, the ambulance came and carried me away from our mountain camp. What followed was heartbreak and loss of strength for me.

Then one day when back home, I was in our ocean bathroom and read the Footprints Poem again. When I came to “It was then that I carried you” I finally understood. God carried me through that first miscarriage and two more miscarriages with the prayers and love of friends and family, and by His own grace and mercy.

Now, two years later, we are expecting again. This dear baby is six months along and by God’s grace he will make it to his due date! But the Lord in His great sense of humor, decided we needed a little more action in this https://zolpidemsleep.com pregnancy, calling us to a new job and home.

Once again, I feel overwhelmed by changes and a sea of boxes and baby hormones…but I read the Footprints Poem and God’s Word, and I am reminded — Jesus is carrying me!

Today’s TEA CUPP: Are waves of trouble pounding against the beach of your life? Or, do you have a friend whose sand castles are collapsing? Write out the Footprints Poem and claim God’s Promises. He will carry you all the way home!

The eternal God is your refuge,
And underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27 (NKJV)

Footprints
Also Known As “I Had a Dream”

One night I dreamed a dream.
I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord.

When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand. There was only one set of footprints. I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life. This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma.

“Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I’m aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don’t understand why, when I need You most, You leave me.”

He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you.”

Margaret Fishback Powers, 1964

Out My Morning Window…

Posted on June 25, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

Every morning I sit on the sofa for my TEA CUPP time with Jesus. As I pray, I look outside and am greeted by my favorite view. Out my morning window I see…

* Hawley Mountain towering mightily, bedecked with snow.

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
So the LORD surrounds His people
From this time forth and forever. Psalm 125:2 (NKJV)

* Deer timidly stepping from the forest to nibble our green lawn.

As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God. Psalm 42:1 (NKJV)

* A berm of soil, rocks, and wildflowers that was created when this house was built by volunteers in 2003.

Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain. Psalm 127:1 (NKJV)

* Our cherry tree garden planted in memory of our babies Gloria Anne, Angelica May, and Gabriella Hope.

Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. Acts 10:4 (NKJV)

But soon we are moving and I wonder what I will see out my morning window. Will I see mountains? Will I see deer? Will I see reminders of God’s love and care and comfort? Moving is hard. How did the Israelites do it for 40 years in the desert, packing up whenever God’s cloud moved? Were they sad to leave behind memories of lost children and pets? Were they sad to leave behind their dreams? Or did they trust God and move ahead with excitement at what God had planned for them?

O Jesus, help me move with excitement and anticipation. Please comfort all my worries and tears. May the view out my morning window be even more wonderful than what I see today. Amen.

Today’s TEA CUPP: Is God calling you to do something new in your life? To move? To a new job? To serving Him? Are you having a hard time saying, “Yes.” Talk to Jesus about it. Read the book of Jonah and his story of running from God’s call. Ask the Lord for strength to help you move ahead in His will. I’m praying for this, too.

See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it. Deuteronomy 12:32 (NIV)

In Memory of Gabriella Hope

Posted on June 10, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

To my sweet baby who went to be with Jesus one year ago today,

I love you,

I miss you,

I’ll see you someday.

Gabriella Hope

June 10, 2010

Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. John 16:22 (NKJV)

God is Able

Posted on May 31, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NKJV)

The worship service had ended at camp Sunday evening when one of the guests turned to my husband. “I have a message for you,” he said. He read the verse above from 2 Corinthians, stressing “God is able” and “you.” This fellow is a brand new friend we just met over the weekend. Three things make this very cool to me:

1) Our new friend heard God telling him to share God’s Word and he obeyed.

2) Without even knowing my husband’s current trials and decisions, our new friend had just the right words to share.

3) GOD IS ABLE! Wow!

What are you facing today? I don’t know what troubles or decisions are going on in your life, but I want to share this promise with you. GOD IS ABLE. He will carry us through the deepest valley and across the widest river. He will comfort us in sorrow and celebrate with us in joy. He will provide for all our needs according to His riches in glory. GOD IS ABLE.

Now the question is, “Am I able?”

by Earl S. Marlatt, 1926 , Music by Harry S. Mason, 1924
http://users.stargate.net/~bmames/ht0326_.htm”>
“Are ye able,” said the Master,
“To be crucified with Me?”
“Yea,” the sturdy dreamers answered,
“To the death we follow Thee.”

Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine.
Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine.
Thy guiding radiance above us shall http://xanaxonlinebuy.com be
A beacon to God, to love and loyalty.

Are ye able to remember,
When a thief lifts up his eyes,
That his pardoned soul is worthy
Of a place in paradise?

Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine.
Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine.
Thy guiding radiance above us shall be
A beacon to God, to love and loyalty.

Are ye able when the shadows
Close around you with the sod,
To believe that spirit triumphs,
To commend your soul to God?

Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine.
Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine.
Thy guiding radiance above us shall be
A beacon to God, to love and loyalty.

Are ye able? Still the Master
Whispers down eternity,
And heroic spirits answer,
Now as then in Galilee.

Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine.
Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine.
Thy guiding radiance above us shall be
A beacon to God, to love and loyalty.

Today’s TEA CUPP: So often troubles in life surprise me with a fierceness. I can boldly sing the song above, yet when my time comes for trials, I collapse into puddle of doubt. How do you handle life’s difficulties? Let’s together claim God’s promise, “GOD IS ABLE.”

“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24 (NKJV)

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV)

Mealtime Pizzazz

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

T for Thanks: Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever. Psalm 1o7:1 (NKJV)

Today, for all moms who want to add some pizzazz to your mealtime prayers, I share with you my favorite graces to sing from summer camp. Enjoy these with your kids as you give thanks to Jesus for your food.

1. Be Present at our Table Lord
(Tunes: Traditional, Lone Ranger, Gilligan’s Island, Jeopardy, Flintstones, Popeye, Adam’s Family, etc.)
Be present at our table, Lord.
Be here and everywhere adored.
These mercies bless and grant that we
May feast in fellowship with Thee.
Amen

2. God Is Great and God is Good
(Tune: Flintstones)
God is great and God is good
And we thank Him for our food.
God is great and God is good
And we thank Him for our food.
Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Oh,
God is great and God is good
And we thank Him for our…
We thank Him for our…
We thank Him for our food. Ya-ba-da-ba-do!

3. God is Great, God is Good
(Tune: Rock Around the Clock)
God is great, God is good
And we thank Him for our food.
We’re gonna thank Him in the morning, noon, and night.
We’re gonna thank our God cause He’s outa sight.
Amen. Ch-Ch-Chh, Ch-Ch-Chh, Ch-Ch-Chh.
Amen. Ch-Ch-Chh, Ch-Ch-Chh, Ch-Ch-Chh.
Amen. Chhhhh.

4. Morning has Come
Morning (evening, etc) has come
The board is spread
Thanks be to God
Who gives us bread. Amen.

5. Johnny Appleseed
Oh, the Lord is good to me,
And so I thank the Lord,
For giving me the things I need,
The sun and the rain and the apple seed,
The Lord is good to me.
And every seed I sow,
Shall grow into a tree.
And someday there’ll
Be apples there
For everyone in the world to share.
The Lord is good to me.
Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.

6. Praise Jesus, the Son of Man
(Tune: Popeye)
Praise Jesus, the Son of Man,
Praise Jesus, the Son of Man,
He died for us sinners,
He feeds us our dinners,
Praise Jesus, the Son of Man –Amen
Toot! Toot!

7.Thank You Lord, for Giving Us Food
Thank you Lord, for giving us food.
Thank you Lord, for giving us food.
Thank you Lord, for giving us food.
Right where we are.
Alleluia, praise the Lord.
Alleluia, praise the Lord.
Alleluia, praise the Lord.
Right where we are. Amen.

8. Come and Dine
Come and dine, the Master calleth,
Come and dine.
You may feast at Jesus’ table anytime.
He feeds the multitudes,
Turns the water into wine,
Come and dine the Master calleth,
Come and dine.

9. In Back of the Bread
In back of the bread is the flour, and
In back of the flour is the mill, and
In back of the mill is the wind and the rain,
And the Father’s will.

10. Jesus is the Real Thing
(Tune: Coke Theme Song)
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life.
Those who come to Me will never go hungry.
Those who come to Me will never be thirsty.”
John 6:35 – Jesus is the REAL THING!
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-Amen!
Do-do-do-do-do-Jesus is the REAL THING.
Aahh!

The sun will always shine,
The birds will always sing,
As long as there is God
There’s always the REAL THING.
Jesus came down and died for our sins.
Now we thank you God as this meal begins.
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-Amen!
Do-do-do-do-do-Jesus is the REAL THING.
Aahh!

11. Superman
Thank you, God, for giving us food.
Thank you, God, for giving us food.
For the friends that we meet.
For the food that we eat.
Thank you God for giving us food!
Swshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

12. Sesame Street
Son of Man, Guardian of the land.
Grant us strength to carry out your plan.
You do bless us as we say,
Thank you for this food today.
Thank you for this food today.

14. God has Created a New Day
God has created a new day
Silver and green and gold
Live that the sunset may find you
Worthy God’s gifts to hold.

15. Thanks be to God
(Tune: Windy)
Thanks be to God,
Creator Almighty.
Thanks be to God,
Who gives us this bread.
Thanks be to God,
The Spirit eternal.
Thanks be to God
Forever.

16. Bless Our Friends
(Tune: Edelweis)
Bless our friends
Bless our food
Come O Lord and sit with us
May our talk
Glow with praise
May your wisdom surround us
Friendship and love
May they bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Bless our friends
Bless our food
Come O Lord
And sit with us!

17. Eagles’ Wings
And God will raise you up
On Eagle’s wings
Bear you on the breath of God
Make you to shine like the Son
And hold you in the palm
Of God’s hand.

18. Rubber Ducky
Rub-a-dub, dub, dub
Thanks for the grub
Yeeeeaaah, God!!!

Today’s TEA CUPP: Each day or meal, let a different family member choose the singing grace. After singing, that person may also lead a spoken grace. You will be teaching thankfulness and also helping your children be prayer leaders in your home.

…O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Psalm 30:12 (NKJV)

Saying Good-Bye to Butterscotch

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Jennifer Grace

In His hand is the life of every creature
and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:10 (NIV)

Butterscotch the Cat died February 1, 2011 at 3 p.m. in our ten-year old son Kevin’s arms. He was just 3 1/2 years old.

Butterscotch was Kevin’s best friend. Every morning Butterscotch would come in from the garage and go straight to Kevin’s bed to curl up under the covers with him until breakfast. Every afternoon, Butterscotch would hang out on Kevin’s bed and watch Kevin build Legos. Kevin celebrated every birthday and half-birthday with Butterscotch, buying him cat treats and toys. Butterscotch might have been the most loved cat in the world!

At Christmas time Butterscotch started sleeping for hours and hanging out by the wood-burning stove. We took him to the vet twice. They diagnosed him with an auto-immune disease which was attacking his red bloods cells and a virus. They put him on steroids and antibiotics. Twice a day for a month, Kevin and his dad gave Butterscotch his medicine. This consisted of holding his paws from scratching, and popping pills down his throat. Poor Butterscotch! Poor Dad who was scratched!

Butterscotch’s last two weeks they also gave him sugar water to boost his energy. But Butterscotch just wouldn’t eat and drink on his own. He was such a sad sight to see, looking more like those Build-a-Bear animal skins, than a real live kitty. His last week he could barely walk. We moved his litter box and bed inside so he could be warm. Kevin slept on the sofa each night so he could be near Butterscotch.

The afternoon Butterscotch died, our oldest son Jacob and my husband Kent dug a grave for Butterscotch under the tree with the wooden swing where Kevin and Butterscotch spent many a summer day. It was 5 degrees and the sun was just going down behind the mountain when Kevin placed Butterscotch’s box in the frozen ground. Kevin helped cover the box with soil, and we put rocks on top. Kent said a prayer for Butterscotch.

Kevin now has two orange cats that will greet him in heaven, as he lost Jellybean during a 2006 forest fire evacuation. We plan to plant some orange and yellow flowers as a memorial in the spring.

Did we pray for Butterscotch? Oh, yes! Kevin loved him so much. At camp in the summer he would write Butterscotch’s name on a slip of paper for prayer at our Sunday praise service. In the fall he drew pictures of Butterscotch and started a card shop called, “Kevin’s Kat Kards.” When Butterscotch started to get sick, we prayed for him every night.

What did Jesus do with those prayers? I do not know. I know He heard us, but His answer wasn’t the one we wanted. We’ve had other cats disappear and we prayed for them to come back (Beany in 1998, Jellybean in 2006, Snicklefritz in 2009). We prayed for each cat for a year, and it didn’t return. I thought the not-knowing was the worst part. But watching a beloved pet shrivel up into skin and bones is just as traumatic. Why doesn’t God answer these prayers as we ask?

I don’t have answers. But I do know that Jesus comforts us. Kevin couldn’t do his school work for a few weeks after losing his kitty. But then he started doing school again and talking about a new orange kitty. Somehow the Holy Spirit comes and ministers to us in our deepest sadness and fixes the hurts that we can’t ever imagine going away.

I like to picture these pets in heaven. Jesus promises He loves the sparrows and all His creatures. I imagine they are running through a field of flowers, just waiting for their beloved owners to come to heaven, too. And when Kevin arrives in heaven, besides meeting Jesus, he will be tackled by at least two orange kitties who love him very much.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. Matthew 10:29 (NIV)

My TEA CUPP Prayers

Praying God's Word … Inviting Ladies to TEA with the King of kings!

Category Archives: My Tea Cupp for Moms

Filthy Rags

Heaven is for Real

“M & M” Prayers

Gallon Water Jug Prayers

“It was then that I carried you.”

Out My Morning Window…

In Memory of Gabriella Hope

God is Able

Mealtime Pizzazz

Saying Good-Bye to Butterscotch