Upheld In Being Present

A couple weeks ago, my pastor talked about Jesus being present with us and us being present with Him. He told a story about one of his children to illustrate his point. As he talked, my own illustration came to mind.

Clyde

I once had a kitty named Clyde. Well, more to the truth of the matter—my daughter had a kitty named Clyde and he dwelled with us from birth to death. He lived to the ripe old age of 16. I know cats do live longer and several cats in my extended family have lived longer. But Clyde had a good life and he was ready to go at 16. His eyesight wasn’t so good and I suspect his hearing was going as well.

During his later years, Clyde would sit in the middle of the hallway in the middle of the night and yowl. Since he was a Siamese, his howl was pretty loud. If any of us hollered at him to be quiet, he ignored us. However, if my daughter yelled at him, he immediately stopped the racket and trotted into her room to snuggle in for the night.

I think Clyde wanted to know he was not alone, and then he wanted to know that “his person” was present. Then he could be content.

I have thought of Clyde in the years since and pondered his middle-of-the-night cries. There have been times I’ve felt alone and Clyde would come to mind. Clyde’s person always answered him in those dark nights.

Red Letter Words

And as my pastor talked, I thought again of the truth that Jesus is always present with us. He’s closer than a brother. He’s closer than we can imagine. He has assured us over and over again that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He said that those who belong to Him cannot be snatched out of His hand. His Word, the Bible, says so. In “red letter words.” That means Jesus Himself gave those assurances. What else do we need to be content?

In the middle of the night, when I call on His Name, He is there. I can go to sleep.

“He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord I your keeper;” Psalm 121:3b-5a.