Josephine took care of any stray that found her home. She was my childhood neighbor, and there were many times my dad and I would take the short drive to she and Bud’s house and be introduced to a new young kitten or old dog. My dad used to say, “If I was a stray. I’d find my way to Josephine’s.”

She could take an unwanted, unhealthy animal and nurse it to health and trust. She’d meet the animal where it was and slowly build trust. She recently told me about a cat who wouldn’t let anyone come remotely close to her. She definitely wouldn’t come close to the house. She’d only approach the farthest outbuilding on the property. So, Josephine would carry food to that building every day. As the cat became accustomed to the building, Josephine moved the food to the next building…and the next. Slowly and steadily, the cat moved closer and closer to the house.

On the day I visited Josephine, the cat was sitting on her sofabed, undisturbed by my presence. She was content.

Over the years, I heard Josephine say on several occasions, “After this one, no more pets.” Yet another pet would find it’s way to her house (or perhaps be placed nearby by someone who knew Josephine’s reputation). It would work it’s way into Josephine’s heart and, often, into her home.

Josephine is good at other things, including friendships and historical  preservation of the community and surrounding areas, but she has built a legacy for caring for those who are unwanted and unhealthy. She meets them where they are and opens her heart and home to them.

How generously do you give to others?

How do you invest?

How sacrificially do you give?

I remember sitting beside Josephine on her porch step as she placed small bits of food in my hand to coax a timid animal to eat. She explained to me different temperaments and how to deal with each one. She tried to understand each one.

If only each person would strive for such understanding. If only each person would patiently and generously care for others. If only each person would feed others with an outstretched hand.

As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”  Luke 21:1-4