Tin Foil Highway Cat

Tin Foil Highway Cat...

Question posed to preschool age Amanda - “How do you know which kittens are girls and which are boys?”

Duh. I thought to myself. My reply - “It’s easy. The girls have scratchier tongues because when they become mamas they need to lick and clean their kittens.”

For as long as I can remember I've always loved animals. As a kid I could almost always be found cuddling with the new kittens at Granny's house or playing fetch with the dog.

I remember my grandmother's cat having several litters of kittens over the years. It was always so exciting to see what they looked like and how many there were. It became my job to find them, count them, and determine how many girls and boys there were. Strangely enough, Mom says my preschool-minded scientific method was pretty accurate. Go figure!

A few years ago, on my way to church, I was crossing a major four-lane highway. As I sat in the median waiting to pull out I noticed in the corner of my eye a small black object. At first, I thought it was just a piece of blown out tire, as those are pretty common. But at second glance I saw that it was a tiny, black kitten.

Now the decision… ignore or rescue.

I knew that the kitten would run if it was scared of me, but I decided to get out of the car and see if it would let me help it. “Here kitty kitty,” I called. And just like that… those helpless little eyes turned my way and she answered my call.

This morning I was studying a verse that I have read many times before.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. -Romans 8:28

Today, I noticed a few phrases that really caught my attention.

“we know” - We have the assurance and knowledge that God is working things out. Why do we ever doubt?

“all things” - Not just some. All.

“work together” - We can’t see the finished puzzle, but God can! He knows how each piece fits together.

“who are the called” - God called us. He chose us. He wants to use us.

“his purpose” - God wants to use us in His plan, not ours. His purpose is greater than anything we could ever imagine or dream!

When I got back home that day with my tiny little kitten, it was easy to see that she was starving and malnourished. In taking care of her we found that she had been eating tin foil, likely from the side of the highway. She was in survival mode. Her outlook on her own was bleak, but when she answered my call, her life changed. She is now a spoiled princess.

Just like that kitten, God found me starving and malnourished from trying to survive on my own. I am so very thankful that He did not ignore me. He came to my rescue and called me to His purpose!