Runaways

I mentioned in my last post that Nate and I were camping. We had a great time, though it was a bit chilly. Nate and his dad had a great time turkey hunting. They didn't get anything, but were glad to spend the day with one another. Here are some pictures from our little excursion.

Nate grilling us some hamburgers for dinner Sunday night.

Marshmallow roasting

Enjoying some time together before TBS starts.

We ended up coming home Monday night instead of Tuesday afternoon. And Tuesday turned out to be a pretty interesting day, including this pretty lady running away.

Don't worry she came back, but she gave me quite the scare. Tuesday morning Nate was kindly bringing in everything from our camping trip while I worked. He was putting a good bit of the stuff out on our porch and since he was going in and out he didn't lock the screen door, unbeknowst to me. I had him stop what he was doing to run something to the post office and about 20 min. after he left I got up to see that the screen door was open just wide enough for Puma to fit through. She wasn't on the porch, she wasn't in the apartment, and I had no idea where she would go outside. She thinks she likes it outside, but she really doesn't. She usually slinks around terrified and then climbs a tree until someone finds her and brings her down. Thankfully, Nate came right home to help me look for her. We looked all around out front - in the flowerbeds, on other people's porches, in the tree - and no Puma. So Nate walked around back and I started looking in the breezeways. Apparently when Nate walked around back and spotted her she took off running. Thankfully she ran home. When I finished my search I went inside to see if Nate was there and if he'd found her. I walked in the door, looked over towards the screen door, and spotted what appeared to be a furry mass. Sure enough it was Puma crouched by the door just waiting to be let in.

I'm amazed at how often we are like my silly kitty. How often have you found yourself living in the abundance of God's will for you, yet the outside world look so appealing? It allures with promises of love, acceptance, fun, ease, and prosperity. What it doesn't show you is the pain and brokenness that lies so close to the surface. So you take one step into the world, then another, and another. Before you know it you're lost, alone, ashamed... And even when your Father comes seeking you the second you see Him coming you run the other way. You've gone too far. You're too unclean. You're too embarrassed. He'll be so disappointed. He could never forgive so much...

But, if that were true, then why did He come looking for you in the first place?

I know this has been true for me. Satan makes it look so nice, yet all he has to offer is pain. Nothing will ever be better than fellowship with the Father. It seems so obvious and yet we've all fallen into the trap. So if you ever find yourself a runway, follow the lead of my cat.

Run home. He will be waiting for you, ready to wrap you in a loving embrace. And there will be much rejoicing.