You never know what will show up in your backyard or neighborhood. A friend in Missouri recently looked out her window and spotted a most unusual visitor. At first, she just thought it was a kitty wandering around in their yard.
A second look, however, caused her to grab her camera and suggest the family also dash to the window. The feline visiting the neighborhood, with a short, “bobbed” tail and tufts of hair on its pointy ears, was no normal household pet. Yes, you probably have guessed that it was a special type of kitty with faint black spots called a BOBCAT.
Apparently, he is the most common, wildcat in North America; but in all of my 89 years of tromping around almost every state in the Union, I have never seen one walking in my neighborhood. A bit of research suggested that some states even had a bounty on bobcats at one time as the pelts are rather valuable. The bobcat is adaptable to various habitats but is rarely found in portions of the Midwest where our wonderful corn, wheat, and other crops are not exactly the favorite motel for this pussycat.
This kitty is about twice as big as our favorite lap-top, “household mouse-catchers.”Perhaps that is why the photographer snapping the picture shown was just a bit in wonder. But, as I continued to stare at the email, my thoughts shifted to other “unexpected strangers” found in the scriptures. Perhaps as you read this, you could pause for just a moment and check out your memory bank. What might be one or two strange visitors seen by Biblical friends?
Right off in Genesis 3, Eve has a snake visit her in the garden of Eden. Imagine her shock as the slimy, slithering, crafty creature chats with her. I don’t think our little bobcat spoke to my friend that morning.
A totally different shock to a fellow’s eyes one day would probably have caused a 21st-century person to look for their camera phone in their pocket. As Lot, his wife, and two daughters were rushing out of Sodom and Gomorrah that morning, his wife turned back to look at the twin cities. You remember what happed to her. She became a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:26). Not an animal surprise but certainly not an expected sight by our husband of the day.
One of the most unexpected set of visitors, with an extremely surprising announcement, would truly have brought the cameras out in Abraham’s household. Abe and his wife, Sarah, were quite old. Well, our prophet was 99 and that is rather old for the announcement three strangers made one very warm day. The three men appeared at his tent and Abraham switched on the role of the perfect host. He quickly had a feast prepared and even provided water for the three to clean up while dinner was being prepared.
As they ate, the visitors asked where his wife, was, and Abraham told them Sarah was in the nearby tent. And then the surprise message by one of the visitors. “I will surely return to you next year, and Sarah your wife will have a SON.” Dear Sarah was eavesdropping in the tent, and since she was well beyond childbearing years, she LAUGHED to herself. You can turn to Genesis chapters 18 and 21 to read more of the details of this surprise visit and the results. I can’t imagine a woman in her senior years giving birth to a child. There had to be a gigantic party later when that happened.
Yes, God has surprises for each of us. Sometimes it may be the simple visit of one of His creation in your backyard; but even more exciting, He may surprise you with new responsibilities around your church, around your family, or assisting unexpected guests from the mission field who need an overnight place to relax and become refreshed with your special cooking. Perhaps He even will help direct you to the perfect doctor to assist in your physical healing. God is good and full of daily surprises to help make your life with Him so exciting.
Just be ready to welcome Him no matter in what form He might be appearing or through whom He might be sending you a message. I certainly hope, however, that an unexpected angel does not appear at my door announcing that I will give birth to a wee one. I’ll let Sarah hold that birth-age record.
Just do as our photographer did – Share the unexpected news with others.
Kathryn Ransom 