Wednesday, March 9, 2022

The Rat and the Cat

 

This is my blog and Facebook friend, Zee Gimon and along with her family, they live in Ukraine. At first, Zee and the two children were hunkered down in their own place while her husband did his duty on the defense team. Because he was gone a lot, she and kids decided to move into their church basement with a few others.

As the war continued, they decided to move to her mothers and fathers for the support. Everyplace they have been there is danger. They can hear the bomb falling, the sirens going on to warn of an attack.

This update was written while they were in the church basement. Zee is a powerful writer and a courageous wise hearted woman of faith.

I picked this update because there is a powerful truth in it that if practiced there would be no more wars. I am encouraged by the rat and cat in her real life story.

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This was written on March 3rd by Zee.

When I first came to the shelter a week ago with our two kids and a cat in tow, I was surprised and worried that our friends brought their rat with them.

A cat and a rat in close compartments - what can go wrong?
But actually, both animals turned to be indifferent to each other. If anything Athena the cat was afraid of Remy the rat.

Today, after a week of being together, Zhenya handed me Remy and as he settled in the crook of my arm, Athena looked at me with a “That is my place” expression.

“There is still place for you. Come on over,” I told her and she did.
The animals met, sniffed each other, Athena gently licked Remy’s side… and they settled in next to each other for warmth and comfort.
So sweet.

If only people could lay aside their differences and ambitions and just peacefully live next to each other without trying to take over someone else’s possessions.
These two animals give me hope.


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Even in the middle of a terrible war, God will use the most unusual things to give us hope. What has given you hope recently?


11 comments:

  1. Wow! This is powerful indeed. Thank you for sharing this with us. What a story. I would never have imagined it to be possible, but, with God, All things are possible!! Even peace. Pray for the peace of Ukraine. Amen.

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    1. What a time in the history of the world for God to show miracles. Thanks Pamela for commenting.

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  2. Oh, Betty, how this touched my heart! Yes, in spite of our seeming differences, God has given us much more in common with one another when we are willing to look past appearance and assumption. May the cat and the rat be a lesson for us all as the world witnesses this horrific combat. Praying for the people of Ukraine!

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    1. Good thoughts Martha on my post. Yes, we certainly are cut of the same cookie mold, God creation destroying each other often times. How sad He must be and I hope He hurries up and end this battle. I am going to one she wrote on loving our enemy...powerful. Blessings

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  3. Amazing the things that God uses to help us learn of His truth. Praying for peace for all who are oppressed and in danger. God bless and protect your blogging friends there . My heart goes out to Ukraine

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    1. I have thought about writing a short book on all the unusual ways God has used to teach me. But, first I must finish the first one I have almost done. Our first part of this war is to pray, pray, pray. And I know of any other ministry that we take up that makes the enemy of our soul angry. He hates prayer between the saints and their Holy God. He knows it makes us stronger in our faith as He uses the hatred of others to teach us to love our enemy with our Bibles and our weapons in our hands.

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  4. I've been staying in touch with Zee through email and Jo having FB. I wrote about both Zee and also Caleb Suko, a Ukrainian pastor in Odessa here: https://livingintheshadow.ovcf.org/2022/02/28/february-28-3/ and then again here: https://livingintheshadow.ovcf.org/2022/03/08/march-8-3/. Sadly, I have been unable to reach Caleb since his last private email. I am hoping and praying more Christ-followers will become aware of people like Zee and Caleb. And yes, if only...

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    1. I figure you had been in touch with both, I follow both and what a blessing they are. They, along with so many of God's people are teaching us in our comfortable country to first, count our blessings, second to pray for those in other places. My bible study group is getting ready to start a study on prayer and from the very beginnings God wanted His creation to come to Him. Even when sin stepped into the picture, He did not drop His desire for us to bring ourselves before Him. Nothing can separate us from Him. Pray all is well with you and yours.

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  5. Oh this fills me with hope, Betty. Bill shared Zee and Caleb's names on my post this evening and I added them to the prayer list in my heart. What a joy to head over here and see that they are your friends!

    Thank You, Jesus, for connecting us with each other!

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  6. Our blog gets smaller. I love it when I drop on a new blog only to see several who I check out were blog friends. I have only got to meet one of my bog friends. It would be wonderful to meet Zee, Husband and children face to face. Blessings.

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  7. What an interesting post. Thank you for sharing!

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