Feverish feline

How does anything so sweet and cuddly have such capacity to draw ire?  A couple of weeks ago, I wondered.  We had one feverish feline, namely Sawyer, who had endless energy he didn't know how to use.  First he darted, then he climbed, then he sped down the hallway in chase of his sister.  Seeking bookshelves, chairs, tables, cabinets—almost anything fit in his path.  And while this athletic cat slowed occasionally for me to pet him, he quickly fell back into race car mode, hovering fast and low to the carpet.  And none of that was a problem really.  In fact, watching him plot to ambush Sally from around the couch made me laugh.  But the frustration began when his eyes changed.  His whole body tensed up.  Anxiety shifted back and forth in his eyes, and he reached up the arm of the couch to plunge in his front claws, but as he clutched the tweed, I stepped in, and he twisted up, over, and away.  From bedroom to living room to hallway and back, his wheels kept spinning, and whenever I glanced away the slightest bit, his claws took new aim.  Finally in defense of our furniture I was angry and scooped him up to put him in the garage.  But I felt sad for doing it.  Soon I thought differently, and I picked him up to pray.  Not only did he frustrate me, but he was uneasy inside himself.  “Lord, may Your peace wash over this cat.  I ask You to calm him from the inside.”  And what ensued was quite amazing.  Sawyer actually rested in my arms.  His body relaxed.  His eyes quit bouncing side to side.  I set him on a favorite blanket atop the couch, and he stayed still.  I kept staring at him, though unsure why exactly, except to realize my own near-disbelief at seeing the stark change in his countenance.  First Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  And so this day, my praying over Sawyer was part of my praying continually.  How I love the Lord for being present in the details of the day.  Any problem is never ours alone.  May you be blessed to invite Him into your circumstances.

Learn Russian? - Part 2

Learn Russian?  That was my question in this blog last April.  I had a desire to learn the language but didn’t know why.  So I kept asking the Lord.  Local library books weren’t plentiful.  YouTube helped with pieces.  I tried where I knew, but progress was slow.  One day searching for anything Russian in San Antonio, I learned about Sasha’s European Market and stopped by to ask if anyone gave language lessons.  My best bet, as I was told, was to enroll for 8 lessons with NEISD’s Community Education program.  This past fall they offered the course, and I loved it.  Yet approaching the last class, I still pondered my purpose.  Then soon I learned about a Russian nurse at my hospital.  Cartwheels started turning in my heart, just beaming with blessing, just imagining and hoping to really use what I'd learned.  Finally I met her, and she said, “ЗДРАВСТВУЙТЕ,” which sounds like [zdravstvyuti].  I was speechless, in a good way.  My learning on paper suddenly became real life, and though my brain understood, my tongue suffered initial paralysis.  Then recovering, another thought came.  I should inquire of my friend in Israel who introduced us to the Russian Holocaust Survivors.  Would she have any use for my beginning Russian?  And oh, did she!  She posed the idea of making greeting cards for the Survivors, and again the cartwheels came. Yes!  I can do this!  How will I find a font for the Cyrillic alphabet to make these cards?  I didn’t know, but the idea sure seemed workable.  Just this week I prayed through that task, making good strides with my husband’s help, realizing it's the Lord ultimately connecting all the dots.  Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  A new realm of amazement.  To watch Him work refreshes the day like nothing else.