Mischievous Enjoyment

Adoption is nothing new to our family. Our youngest daughter is Cambodian by birth and American through adoption.

We adopted again four weeks ago. This time a ten-month-old rescue kitten. Our former cat passed away last August. I thought she’d be our last. But my longing for another feline grew, and my loving husband granted my wish.

Our kitten joined our family as Risa—a Spanish word for laughter. Our daughter hoped for a different name. We discussed several. One of her suggestions was to name our new kitten, Cat.

I wrote about Risa joining our family in June’s quarterly newsletter that goes out to my email subscribers. I asked, “What’s your favorite name for a cat? Any suggestions for ours?” I didn’t mention my daughter’s desire to name our kitty, Cat.

A friend sent me a text. “Paka (pah-kuh) is cat in Swahili. I like that.”

The family agreed, and we made our daughter happy. Our kitten is named Cat—just in a different language. Risa became Paka. I sometimes call her Pakapoo.

She’s sweet, crazy, funny, lovable, and mischievous. She tolerates our dog but will need more time to become friends. Paka loves to help me research at my computer, throw her catnip mouse into the air and catch it, and chase a laser light. She follows me around like a toddler. You know those times when you can’t use the bathroom alone? Yep! She’s there pawing the door.

Paka is now a member of our family, and she brings us much enjoyment. As followers of Christ, God is pleased to adopt us into His family too.

God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure (Ephesians 1:5).

I’ve included a few pictures of my Paka. Did I mention she’s mischievous? Decide for yourself.

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What's Inside?

What’s better than a Dove dark chocolate for a pick-me-up in the afternoon? One of my favorite treats. I sat at my desk at work ready to eat two pieces. If you’re familiar with Dove chocolates, you know each piece has a quote or saying inside the wrapper. I opened the first one and read this quote by Molly B. from Kansas. “Throw kindness around like confetti!” I glanced up when my supervisor walked by, and I threw the second piece of chocolate to him. What could be kinder than to share my coveted chocolate?

Another quote inside a wrapper I opened this past week said, “You are never too old, and it is never too late.” Since I plan to retire soon, I love this statement. Never too late to start something new. Thank you, Lauren P. of Wyoming. I have a few new items on my retirement to-do list I hope to accomplish.

Not every saying inside a wrapper shares a person’s name such as this one. “Don’t talk about it, just be about it.” We often talk of what we hope to do but don’t put action to our words. Life happens. We put our dreams on hold. Maybe we should combine this quote with the previous one. Pursue those dreams and try something new.

What are your thoughts on this statement inside a wrapper with no author to credit? “Everyone has a happy ending. If you’re not happy, it’s not the end.”

Does this quote disturb you as it does me? Will everyone have a happy ending? Those who haven’t received the gift of Jesus Christ? Those who miss heaven? No happy ending for them.

More important than what’s inside a candy wrapper is who’s inside your heart.

Have you accepted Christ into your life? It doesn’t happen because you’ve heard of Him or go to church. You can know Him in your heart and share a relationship with Him.

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved (Romans 10:9-10).

I hope you believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord and God raised him from the dead. I pray you are a follower of Christ and growing in your relationship with Him. 

If you want a happy ending, I trust you will receive Christ.

What or who’s inside your heart today?

Freedom

Other than the Bible, the book that has had the most impact on my walk with Christ is The Bondage Breaker by Dr. Neil T. Anderson. He founded Freedom in Christ Ministries. As I read and study the book again with a friend, I hope she finds it as liberating for her as it was for me.

John 8:32 says, Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Jesus wants us to walk in His truth, the truth of His Word. God’s Word brings us freedom, not bondage.

What are you struggling with today? Guilt, depression, insecurity, bitterness? To be free and become a fruitful Christian, you need to know who you are in Christ and win the spiritual battle for your mind.

Many years ago, thoughts from the deceiver bombarded my mind. They were thoughts of condemnation (I’ll never be good enough), hopelessness (I can’t live up to the expectations of others), and rejection (will the Lord give up on me too?).  

Satan loves for us to believe his disgusting lies so we will walk in defeat. We cannot walk in freedom if we continue to believe his deception.

But we can walk in truth! When I believed the truth that I am accepted, secure, and significant in Christ, I received freedom.

Below are truths that taught me who I am in Christ. If you have accepted Jesus into your life, these truths are yours too.

I am a child of God and I belong to Him (John 1:12).

I am free from condemnation (Romans 8:1-2).

I do not have a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).

There is a battle for our minds. If the devil can make us ineffective, he has us where he wants us. How do we overcome this?

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).

What should we focus our minds on instead?

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things (Philippians 4:8).

When I recognize my thoughts as those not from the Lord, I take them captive and remember to focus upon whatever is pure, right, and true. I am not condemned, hopeless, or rejected. I am God’s chosen, and I am to live as a believer who is free. Because I AM free!

For more information please visit Freedom in Christ Ministries at www.ficm.org.

Adapted from my blog post at www.beyondfirst.org. Used by permission.

Hurrah or Boo?

Hurrah for retirement. Or should I say boo? Will the pros outweigh the cons?

I’ll have more time to write my blogs, articles, and finish a sequel to my novel. Three other storylines are floating inside my head and heart. I’ll enjoy seeing them on paper.

Bible studies grace my bookshelves. Is there a better way to spend my time than focusing on God’s Word and growing closer to Him?

Travel with my husband will be fun. We have several trips planned. California, South Dakota, Georgia, Texas, and Tennessee. Always, Tennessee. That’s where our grandchildren live.

To sleep in sounds splendid. Not sure how long it will take my body to sleep past 5:30 a.m., but I’ll try.

A cleaner house and better meals? Doubt that. With my nose in a book or fingers on the keyboard, I’ll be too busy for those mundane tasks.

I’ll miss the people where I work. Nine years we’ve been together. My youngest daughter met several of my coworkers and spent time with them. She said, “Mom. You work with the nicest people.” They are a good group.

Losing income may hurt my ego. In the short term, I might think I’m not contributing enough—not adding value to the household. I guess there are always those dull chores. Yikes!

Ways I plan to tackle changes in my new way of life include preparing a schedule and keeping a to-do list. Yes, I’ll add the dreaded housecleaning and throw in exercise. I must discipline myself to stay active.

I hope to continue my Bible study at work, mentor a young woman, attend Toastmasters, and meet friends for lunch as part of my routine. If I need more, pottery or photography classes and volunteer work are options.  

After thirty-eight years of employment, retirement may either excite or distress me. If emotions, doubt, or uneasiness try to get the best of me, I will focus on what the verse below says.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT).

If you’re retired, what has been your experience?

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