Now and Forever

The months have passed quickly since I first started my journey with you my dear reader...For now I'm recovering the sudden loss of my dear Bearonnes, a beautiful tortis-shell cat we had for 16 years...She was a great joy and a lot of fun as a constant companion. Her special ways of talking to us in her bark like meows...Her love she shared by being present and on my lap when ever I'd sit to write in my prayer journal or the times she would be near my feet as I was on the computer or on my lap here as I typed an article or did my blog...So the laundry room is empty where her food bowl sat on the sink so the dogs wouldn't get her food. She no longer greets me in the early morning schedule she knew so well. She was the cat of my heart. She was loved and treasured by all the family members too, for she loved to be on their laps as well, purring her soft musical notes of contentment of being held. The bed seems lonely with no Bear between us. The long bubble baths have no creature on the edge waiting for her drink of warm water to start her morning...But we have the memories and thankfully they were all good ones. Will I ever have a cat again? I would think so when the time is right, however no one can be replaced whether human or animal. All God's creatures are precious snowflakes of His design, no two alike and that's the way it should be. So treasure the ones you love. Love the one's you treasure . For you never know when death takes hold and snatches a loved one away forever in the scheme of earthly existence...But thankfully we have a hope beyond the grave for our human family and friends. The Holy Word speaks to that issue.

"I can tell you this directly from the Lord: that we who are still living when the Lord returns will not rise to meet him ahead of those who are in their graves. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a mighty shout and with the soul-stirring cry of the archangel and the great trumpet call of God. And the believers who are dead will be the first to rise to meet the Lord. Then we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with Him forever. So comfort and encourage each other with this news."I Thessalonians 4:15-19 (TLB)

I don't know about our pets and animals, but there is some comfort in the words in Revelation that speaks to my heart for all the lost pets I have had.

"He will wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain. All of that has gone for ever. And the one sitting on the throne said," See, I am making all things new!" And then He said to me, "Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true." Revelation 21:3-5 (TLB)

So my heart is comforted and there will be a new day tomorrow and yesterday is gone forever. But we have the now and that is why it is called the Present.