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“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:16-18 NIV)
When visiting the vets recently the receptionist asked me if I would like to see the cat house. I am not really a cat person but my daughter is and I knew she would be interested in what they had to show me.
The cat house was a small cottage consisting of three rooms. Each room was overflowing with cats of every size and colour. I was appalled at how many cats needed homes. I was also told that these cats were simply the overflow from the Humane Society who did not have room to house anymore.
One of the kittens especially grabbed my attention as upon his snowy left foot, he had a perfectly shaped grey heart. That little heart stood out so clearly, as if an artist had taken a brush and painted it on that diminutive paw.
Later as I contemplated the clarity of the heart on the kitten's foot I wondered if others could see the heart of Jesus' love in my life just as clearly. Do my actions reveal a selflessness and humility when it comes to being aware of and meeting the needs of those around me? Am I regularly laying down my life for others by putting them ahead of myself, just as Jesus put our needs ahead of His own, by laying aside His home in heaven and coming to earth to die for the sins of the world. That little kitten and the message of the beautiful heart on his foot had given me a lot to think and pray about.
We all live busy lives and it is easy to get caught up in our own concerns and needs while forgetting about the needs of others. Especially those less fortunate than ourselves. Today, however, may we each choose to make a point of asking the Holy Spirit for eyes to see and ears to hear and hearts to be open wide as to where the heart of Jesus within us, has opportunity to reach out and touch someone today.
P.S. That little kitten now resides in my home and is an ever constant reminder of the need to allow others to clearly see the heart of Jesus within me.
Prayer: Father God, thank You that the heart of Jesus' love dwells within each and every one of His followers. Through the power of Your Holy Spirit may it never lay dormant within us, but be alive and active each and every day. In Christ's name. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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