But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7
The Story of: "UGLY" the Cat!
Everyone in the apartment complex knew who 'Ugly' was. Ugly was the resident tomcat. Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting, eating garbage... and lets say love.
The combination of these things and a life spent outside had their effect on little Ugly. To start with, he had only one eye and the other was missing. He was also missing his ear on the same side, his left foot appeared to have been badly broken at one time and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look like he was always turning a corner. His tail was long lost, leaving only the smallest stub, which would constantly quiver and twitch.
Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby, striped type, except for the sores covering his head, neck and even his shoulders with thick yellow scabs. Every time someone saw Ugly there was the same reaction. "That's one ugly cat!"
All the children were warned never to touch him! The adults would throw rocks at him, hosed him down, squirted him when he tried to come near or into their homes. As Ugly would try to curl his paw around a door to gain entrance they would shut the door on his paws.
No one could see or find any value in Ugly, they just wanted him gone.
However, Ugly always had the same reaction, when you turned the hose on him, he would stand right there getting soaked, until you gave up and quit. If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around your feet looking for forgiveness.
Whenever Ugly spied children, he would come running, meowing frantically, and bump his head on their hands, begging for their love. If anyone ever picked him up, he would immediately begin suckling on their shirt, ear rings or whatever he could find.
One day Ugly shared his love with his neighbors huskies. They did not respond kindly and Ugly was badly mauled. You could hear his screams anywhere in the apartment building, but no one came to Ugly's rescue. Until, one of the newer residents, Bill ran to help, but it was apparent to Bill, that Ugly's sad life would soon come to an end.
Ugly lay in a wet circle, his legs and lower back twisted grossly out of shape, a gaping tear in the white strip of fur that ran down his front. As Bill picked him up and tried to bring him home, he could hear Ugly wheezing and struggling for air. He thought of how Ugly must be suffering so badly.
Just then he felt a tugging and sucking sensation on his ear. Ugly who was in so much pain and obviously dying, was trying to suckle his ear. He pulled Ugly a little closer and Ugly bumped the palm of his hand, with his head. Then he turned his one green eye towards him and Bill could hear the distinct sound of purring.
Even in Ugly's greatest pain, that ugly battled scarred cat was asking for only a little affection, perhaps some compassion. At that moment, Ugly seemed like the most beautiful, loving creature Bill had ever seen.
Never once did Ugly try to bite, scratch or get away. Ugly just looked up and completely trusted Bill to help and relieve his pain. Ugly died before, Bill could get him back to his apartment. However, he continued to hold Ugly for a long time afterwards. (None of us wants to ever let go of real love)
He thought about how one scarred, deformed and ugly little cat could so alter his opinion about what it means to have perfect pureness of spirit, to love so totally and true. Ugly taught Bill more about giving and compassion, than a thousand books, lectures or talk show specials ever could!
Many of us have scars, some physical and some emotional, I know I do! Many times I am asked, by children, "Why do you have a that on your neck?" I simply tell them, "This is a reminder to me, of how God helped me through a very bad time!" All the children I have ever told this to, have accepted that answer and let it be the end, to their thoughts.
While I use to try to conceal my physical scars, I now think about the answer I give to children. God certainly did have His angels watching over me, when someone tried to slit my throat from ear to ear, but Jesus rescued me!
It's been a long time since that incident... however, when I go to wash my face, brush my teeth or just look in the mirror... I don't see the scar so much, as I remember God is always taking care of me and He is also pushing me to love more!
The ugly scar has shown me that with God, I can face anything. It showed me that Jesus alone can heal and restore beauty to the inner man, and bring joy to my emotions and to my soul! This ugly scar reminds me that people need to be loved, more and more each day!
My scars have actually made me stronger and helped me to share with others, the gospel of Jesus Christ! The ugly scar I bear, leads me straight into the arms of God's love!
Being human, we tend to look on the outward appearance of those we meet. Are they clean? Do they smell good? Are they in designer clothes? What kind of car and house do they have?
Still my Jesus, looks past all those things about us! His eyes go right past our days gone by, straight into each of our hearts. There He is looking for helpfulness, kindness and most importantly Love!
Ugly, the cat was scarred on the outside, as much as some of us are scarred on the inside.
I want you to know, Jesus can mend, not only the ugly scar but the emotions you carry with them. You just have to ask Him.
It is time for each of us to receive and give back, God's love. Half of our pain will go, if we just share the Love of God! This little cat named Ugly, showed more love in his little life, than most of us will do in a lifetime.
The greatest gift we could give, would to be more like Ugly the cat, each and everyday. I now know and I ALWAYS try to be Ugly!!
1 Samuel 16:7
The Story of: "UGLY" the Cat!
Everyone in the apartment complex knew who 'Ugly' was. Ugly was the resident tomcat. Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting, eating garbage... and lets say love.
The combination of these things and a life spent outside had their effect on little Ugly. To start with, he had only one eye and the other was missing. He was also missing his ear on the same side, his left foot appeared to have been badly broken at one time and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look like he was always turning a corner. His tail was long lost, leaving only the smallest stub, which would constantly quiver and twitch.
Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby, striped type, except for the sores covering his head, neck and even his shoulders with thick yellow scabs. Every time someone saw Ugly there was the same reaction. "That's one ugly cat!"
All the children were warned never to touch him! The adults would throw rocks at him, hosed him down, squirted him when he tried to come near or into their homes. As Ugly would try to curl his paw around a door to gain entrance they would shut the door on his paws.
No one could see or find any value in Ugly, they just wanted him gone.
However, Ugly always had the same reaction, when you turned the hose on him, he would stand right there getting soaked, until you gave up and quit. If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around your feet looking for forgiveness.
Whenever Ugly spied children, he would come running, meowing frantically, and bump his head on their hands, begging for their love. If anyone ever picked him up, he would immediately begin suckling on their shirt, ear rings or whatever he could find.
One day Ugly shared his love with his neighbors huskies. They did not respond kindly and Ugly was badly mauled. You could hear his screams anywhere in the apartment building, but no one came to Ugly's rescue. Until, one of the newer residents, Bill ran to help, but it was apparent to Bill, that Ugly's sad life would soon come to an end.
Ugly lay in a wet circle, his legs and lower back twisted grossly out of shape, a gaping tear in the white strip of fur that ran down his front. As Bill picked him up and tried to bring him home, he could hear Ugly wheezing and struggling for air. He thought of how Ugly must be suffering so badly.
Just then he felt a tugging and sucking sensation on his ear. Ugly who was in so much pain and obviously dying, was trying to suckle his ear. He pulled Ugly a little closer and Ugly bumped the palm of his hand, with his head. Then he turned his one green eye towards him and Bill could hear the distinct sound of purring.
Even in Ugly's greatest pain, that ugly battled scarred cat was asking for only a little affection, perhaps some compassion. At that moment, Ugly seemed like the most beautiful, loving creature Bill had ever seen.
Never once did Ugly try to bite, scratch or get away. Ugly just looked up and completely trusted Bill to help and relieve his pain. Ugly died before, Bill could get him back to his apartment. However, he continued to hold Ugly for a long time afterwards. (None of us wants to ever let go of real love)
He thought about how one scarred, deformed and ugly little cat could so alter his opinion about what it means to have perfect pureness of spirit, to love so totally and true. Ugly taught Bill more about giving and compassion, than a thousand books, lectures or talk show specials ever could!
Many of us have scars, some physical and some emotional, I know I do! Many times I am asked, by children, "Why do you have a that on your neck?" I simply tell them, "This is a reminder to me, of how God helped me through a very bad time!" All the children I have ever told this to, have accepted that answer and let it be the end, to their thoughts.
While I use to try to conceal my physical scars, I now think about the answer I give to children. God certainly did have His angels watching over me, when someone tried to slit my throat from ear to ear, but Jesus rescued me!
It's been a long time since that incident... however, when I go to wash my face, brush my teeth or just look in the mirror... I don't see the scar so much, as I remember God is always taking care of me and He is also pushing me to love more!
The ugly scar has shown me that with God, I can face anything. It showed me that Jesus alone can heal and restore beauty to the inner man, and bring joy to my emotions and to my soul! This ugly scar reminds me that people need to be loved, more and more each day!
My scars have actually made me stronger and helped me to share with others, the gospel of Jesus Christ! The ugly scar I bear, leads me straight into the arms of God's love!
Being human, we tend to look on the outward appearance of those we meet. Are they clean? Do they smell good? Are they in designer clothes? What kind of car and house do they have?
Still my Jesus, looks past all those things about us! His eyes go right past our days gone by, straight into each of our hearts. There He is looking for helpfulness, kindness and most importantly Love!
Ugly, the cat was scarred on the outside, as much as some of us are scarred on the inside.
I want you to know, Jesus can mend, not only the ugly scar but the emotions you carry with them. You just have to ask Him.
It is time for each of us to receive and give back, God's love. Half of our pain will go, if we just share the Love of God! This little cat named Ugly, showed more love in his little life, than most of us will do in a lifetime.
The greatest gift we could give, would to be more like Ugly the cat, each and everyday. I now know and I ALWAYS try to be Ugly!!
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