The Real Thing

One particular morning, I woke up thinking about Angel, a cat, my son was given as a gift and had died. I didn't want to explain about death to a four-year-old little boy, so when Angel went missing, I told my son that Angel went on vacation for a few days. This bought me a couple of days to look for and buy a cat that looked like Angel! Finally, I found a look alike! I took cat home, placed him there, got my son, and as we were walking, there was Angel. My son got all excited, and I was saying, "Oh thank you, God, there is Angel." As he got closer he said, "Mommy, that is NOT Angel!" I said, "Yes, it is!" My son was shaking his head, "No, it's not!" When we finally got to the cat, he started crying, "Mommy, this is not Angel." Once again, I tried telling him it was the same color and same size. "Of course, it's Angel!" Then he got even closer, picked up the cat, and said, "Mommy, this cat does NOT have blue eyes! Angel has blue eyes!" Ok, what's my point? My son knew his cat. He had studied Angel's mannerisms. He could tell from far away it wasn't Angel, but then there was the color of Angel's eyes. I guess I didn't see the colors. "'Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches,24 but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the Lord," (Jeremiah 9:23-24). Are you studying God? Are you portraying and exhibiting the real thing or you just pretending to be godly? You can fake it to yourself or to those who are in the same boat as you, but you can't fake it to those who love God and follow His ways. Real people know the real thing. How about imitating God's ways? Be the real deal to people who really need to see God in their situations. How about imitating God's ways? Be the real deal to people who really need to see God in their situations.

Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Your Word says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." It is more important to know You more than anything else. Give me wisdom that comes from You alone for You are the One I seek to know, to boast of You and Your goodness and to proclaim who You are. As long as You see fit to give me breath, LORD, may I always seek You and Your ways. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Linda A. Knowles