Lessons About God from a Hamster

This last Sunday was Mother’s Day and Holly, a member of our church, and a mother spoke a few minutes to the virtues of motherhood. She talked of the struggles and the payback which on this Mother’s Day, was rubbery eggs, and coffee served in a dirty cup. But she loved them both.

One day her young daughter Heather asked, “Mom , how do you know God is real”? Caught a little off guard, she thought a moment and gave what she felt was a good theological treatise and in a manner a 10 year old could understand. But, her answer didn’t quite satisfy her daughter’s curious mind because she asked the same question the other day. Holly prayed, “Lord help me with explain this.

A few days later, the family hamster escaped it’s cage. After an extensive search, the little rat-chipmunk cross was found. Holly announced her find to the family and her daughter asked where he was found. “In the drawer” Holly said.. Heather said “ Wow! I prayed and God told me that the hamster would be in the clothes drawer”

Amazing. I share this because as my friend Roby Duke told me once when I was doubting my abilities as a pastor “There is a Holy Spirit”. I wonder if we have forgotten than. John 17 tells us that it’s the Spirit’s job to convict of sin, judgment and righteousness. Do we really believe that or do we feel it’s our job to perform those duties. It is my firm conviction that when we “be like Christ” to a pagan world, the Holy Spirit uses that as a tool to convict and draw people to Himself. If he is exalted or lifted up, then HE will draw all people to Himself.

I was at an artist conference this last weekend and had the opportunity to listen to and become friends with Ron Dicianni. Ron has done art work for President Bush, Max Lucado, Randy Alcorn and others. He is probably the foremost Christian artist in the country right now.

He told a story of a man by the name of Grover who used to work with him. Grover had two children; a boy Devan, and a girl, Joy. When the kids were just toddlers, Joy, exited the family van on the busy side of the street and was hit and killed by a passing motorist. Needless to say it was devastated the family.

Ron painted a picture of Joy, about 5 years old, holding the hand of Jesus, walking peacefully together through heaven, and gave it to Grover. Like any of us, Ron who is a selfless godly man, expected to hear back from the family, but he didn’t. Not even a thank you note. Ron, as you might imagine, felt a little bothered by this but trusted the Lord non the less. Quite some time passed and he saw Grover and asked if he ever received the paining. “Yes” Grover said. “It’s hanging in Devan’s room”.

Ron confessed that in his flesh, the fact that one of his pieces was hanging in a child’s room was a little disappointing to him. “Well, that’s nice, I guess”, Ron said. But Grover went on to explain “When we got your painting, we opened it with the whole family present. Devan saw the picture grabbed it by both sides and said ‘I want this picture’. You see Joy and Devan had both been taught not to exit a car on the traffic side but Devan and Joy were arguing in the car that day and Devan pushed her out of the car which caused her to be struck and killed by a car. He felt horrible. But the knowledge that Joy is with Jesus helps him”

Folks, let’s do our job and let the Holy Spirit do his job. Let’s be like Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to convict of Sin, judgment and righteousness. And if we do our job, He will do his.