He was not my cat to begin with.  Clawed came to me when he was four months old after being bottle fed and raised by Ed and Lydia.  Ed loved to tell the story of how Clawed fell in the toilet as a kitten... twice.  He also fell in my pool and hot tub a few times.

     On December 1, 2013 Dad reclaimed his favorite cat.  Clawed was fifteen.  Not a bad run for a cat.  I know they'll be waiting for me together.

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.  Whan an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.  There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.  There is plenty of food, water, and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor.  Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in in our dreams of days and times gone by.  The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing:  they each miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.  His bright eyes are intent.  His eager body quivvers.  Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion never to be parted again.  The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusted eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together...

Author unknown

     Ed met Iidia when she was 18 and still living with her parents.  Walking, in those days, was a safe form of entertainment for young ladies in the city.  Ed spotted Ilidia's flowing dark hair as she walked with her sister.  He approached them and offered to walk them home.  As they walked and talked, Ed became aware of her culture and the strict nature of the Nazerene faith.

     Several days later, Ed went to Ilidia's house and waited on the porch all day for her father to arrive.  He asked permission to take her on a date.  The answer was ofcourse, "No."  The next day her father arrived home to find him again waiting on the porch.  This went on until he finally said yes.

     Ilidia had never been to the movies so he took her to see Steve McQueen's Bullitt.

      This entry is from the Daily Bread on September 23.  I like to think of it as the day dad was in no more pain.

     Psalm 91:1

     He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

     Some kids like to brag about their dads.  If you eavesdrop on neighborhood conversations you'll hear children saying, "My dad is bigger than your dad,"  or " My dad is smarter than your dad!"  But the best brag of all is, "My dad is stronger than your dad."  This boast is usually in the context of a warning that if kids are threatening you, you'd better beware, because your dad can come and take them all down, including their dads.

     Believing your dad is the strongest guy on the block inspires a lot of confidence in the face of danger.  This is why I love the fact that God our Father is Almighty.  That means that no one can match His strength and power.  Better still, it  means that you and I "abide under the shadow of the Almighty."  It's no wonder the psalmist can confidently say that he will not "be afraid of the terror by night, nor the arrow that flies by day."

     Regardless of what today may bring or the trouble you are now going through, don't forget that your God is stronger than anything in your life.  Be confident.  The shadow of His all-prevailing presence guarantees that His power can turn even the worst situation into something good.    Joe Stowell

      Father God, in the midst of my trouble, teach me to rest in the fact that You are Almighty.  Thank you for the confidence i have that You are stronger than anything that threatens my life.

God is greater than our greatest problem.