Hello, Elshivia! Hello, Miarka! Hello, Parsonsmom!
Sorry it took me 11 days to get back to you, Elshivia! Like many people I'm burdened with a heavy work schedule, and I'm so grateful that I finally found time to take a look at old postings by LeastOne, and, praise the Lord, was I stunned by what he has to say. I chose to re-post one of his old postings(November 1, 2003!!!) below because I was so taken up with his notion that Jesus heals different people in different ways--and I believe that is very true. On top of that, the healed cat and the healed woman became companions later in their lives. A wonderful story! It makes me feel that we can heal one another by uniting our spirits in the Christian Forum.
Welcome, Miarka! Sorry it took so long for me to answer your first posting. I hope that the re-printed posting below from an Christian Forum old-timer, LeastOne, will appeal to you and give you strength and encouragement. I have found myself in the company of a grumpy suffering war veteran in life, and I seen the transformation that kindness and tolerance and even financial assistance brought him. I have also wished to start viable businesses where I could offer good solid employment to people whose trust I've earned and developed--and I pray that that my wish comes true someday. I have also been battling with something that I ashamed to mention, but must, in all trust in the lord, and that is caffeine addiction(in the form of tea, since I at least managed to quit drinking coffee). I have a great fear of not having caffeine by which to wake up, and to stay awake, every day, and I trust in the Lord that the confession of this will help me to quit someday. I welcome your being as specific as you need to with your prayer requests, and would be glad to discuss any bible topic/verse you care to share. We are all different and we all suffer differently and we all heal differently.
Hello, Again, Parsonsmom! Good to know you are still there. I may well want to visit you on Facebook someday. Right now, I'm buried in old postings by LeastOne, who Elshivia brought to my attention. He seems to be quite an inspirational teacher. I pray for his soul wherever in God's creation he is now, and am so glad his spirit is alive. The hope of love and healing lies in the old posting I re-posted below. I hope all are blessed by it.
Thank you in Christ,
Christianemploymentseeker, aka Augie
Originally Posted by leastone
Hi Saints:
The Lord often uses the simplest of events in life to bring some spiritual lesson or another to our notice, if we will but pay attention. In His parables, Jesus did this many times; He would describe great spiritual principles using basic everyday occurances to which everyone could relate. God is always a working in the present moment, for truly He is always Now and is ever working in His creation. May He open the eyes of each of His children, that they may see Him today as He works in and around them in their everyday lives.
Some time ago we had a stray cat come to live in our garage, and she was probably the ugliest cat ever: one gnarly, chewed up ear that permanently flopped halfway over; short little legs and a round, fat body; she looked like a cartoon cat the way she darted around everywhere. But mostly she was the most traumatized animal I have ever seen; you could see it in her eyes, that whatever had happened to her in her previous life had not been good.
We set food and water out for her, but if we came anywhere near her she would cring down, panic in her eyes, ready to run. We decided that rather than traumatize her more by pushing ourselves on her, we would just let her alone to realize for herself that she could trust us. She made herself a bed under an old chair we had, and for the first month or so would hardly come out except to eat and go outside to the restroom. In time, by showing her kindness but requiring nothing in return she eventually realized we meant her no harm, and learned to trust us, allowing us to pet her and even enjoying it. Later, when we had to move, we found her a good home where she is today. And she has become the most loving, sweetest cat; even her looks have changed to where she is actually cute.
I know a woman who didn't leave home until she was 39 years old; up until then she was berated and belittled constantly, forced to chauffer her mother everywhere, basically allowed no life of her own. Finding thoughts of suicide growing stronger and stronger in her, she finally had to just run away from home. Having nowhere to go, she lived with us for a while, until she could find a job. Quite honestly, the darkness surrounding this woman at first was extremely difficult to be around. The spirits of oppression were so heavy around her they were almost physically felt; it was nearly impossible to even have a normal conversation with her because everything that came out of her mouth was so filled with depression and despair.
Rather than have us directly confront her, or go through a lot of spiritual warfare, the Lord asked that we just allow her to be, and for us to just love her. So, that is what we did (as difficult as that was at times). But today, she is a totally different person; saved, and developing her own life. And though she can still be a little much at times, it is mild in comparison - and it has only been a couple of years.
The point of all of this is that there is no set formula that always works for every person and every situation. Jesus healed each person differently when He walked the earth, and He does the same today. It is only by diligently seeking the Lord for whomever He brings our way that we can truly minister His Life to that person. Often He will lead us to just be a friend to them. And we never go wrong with kindness and real loving acceptance.
Col. 3:12 - "And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience..."
By the way, we gave the cat to the woman and both are doing well together.