Post by MoGrace2U on Mar 29, 2010 15:54:40 GMT -5
Some of you may know that I work for my ex-husband who is a bit passive-aggressive. He was raised Irish Catholic and will have nothing to do with religion, nor will he hear about it - especially from me. So God has spent a number of years now teaching me how to be a more silent witness to him. And he 'loves' to test my faith.
A couple of days ago my old cat who lives with him, had a urinary tract blockage and was missing for over a day. When Patrick found him he was in serious trouble, which he called me about that night. He did not represent very well what exactly was wrong with him and was going to wait until morning to take him to the vet. I mentioned the ER vet hospital but he wasn't going to do it - too expensive. He did however suggest that if I would take the cat, he would go with me. I didn't want to do it, but when I got off the phone, I thought about it some more and called him back.
At first we thought the cat may have been poisoned because this had happened before to a dog of his when the neighbor put out bait to kill rats in his avocado grove. Pat waited a week before taking the dog to the ER and had not even told me about his symptoms. When I saw the dog, I insisted, but we were too late that time. This was on my mind for the cat and I realized that if I didn't act, Pat would not at all. When I saw the cat he did not have any similar symptoms so we thought maybe he had been hit by a car cause he was walking funny and crying.
So while we were waiting for the vet to tell us what was wrong with the cat, Pat said he called me to test whether or not I would show any compassion for the cat at all. He said he was being purposefully vague to try to get me to respond, I suppose with more questions to show I cared.
Which btw, I have done many times with him, though he continues to need convincing. I suppose when one lacks compassion and faith in God, they don't expect anyone else to have any either. Which is again where my study in James has pointed out why good works are a necessary part of our witness of the truth of the grace of God we have received. The fact that truth and love are an inseparable duo, makes sense in how we are to deliver that grace & mercy to others that they might hear us. Therefore we draw them with cords of human kindness, just as the Lord drew each of us.
If they can't see the work God is doing in us, then what truth do we have to tell them? Faith must live in love!
A couple of days ago my old cat who lives with him, had a urinary tract blockage and was missing for over a day. When Patrick found him he was in serious trouble, which he called me about that night. He did not represent very well what exactly was wrong with him and was going to wait until morning to take him to the vet. I mentioned the ER vet hospital but he wasn't going to do it - too expensive. He did however suggest that if I would take the cat, he would go with me. I didn't want to do it, but when I got off the phone, I thought about it some more and called him back.
At first we thought the cat may have been poisoned because this had happened before to a dog of his when the neighbor put out bait to kill rats in his avocado grove. Pat waited a week before taking the dog to the ER and had not even told me about his symptoms. When I saw the dog, I insisted, but we were too late that time. This was on my mind for the cat and I realized that if I didn't act, Pat would not at all. When I saw the cat he did not have any similar symptoms so we thought maybe he had been hit by a car cause he was walking funny and crying.
So while we were waiting for the vet to tell us what was wrong with the cat, Pat said he called me to test whether or not I would show any compassion for the cat at all. He said he was being purposefully vague to try to get me to respond, I suppose with more questions to show I cared.
Which btw, I have done many times with him, though he continues to need convincing. I suppose when one lacks compassion and faith in God, they don't expect anyone else to have any either. Which is again where my study in James has pointed out why good works are a necessary part of our witness of the truth of the grace of God we have received. The fact that truth and love are an inseparable duo, makes sense in how we are to deliver that grace & mercy to others that they might hear us. Therefore we draw them with cords of human kindness, just as the Lord drew each of us.
If they can't see the work God is doing in us, then what truth do we have to tell them? Faith must live in love!
