What a day for Em to feel under the weather! It was our day to provide kitty-care for a local shelter. Although the week before, there was one cat and one kitten, this time… the whole place was full to the brim! So many kittens! They all wanted held, and played with, and there was only one of me, and boy did I ever feel pressure. I worked as fast as I could to get the necessary tasks completed, then took time for each cat and kitten. The longer I was there, the more they began to calm down. They weren’t all squalling, except for one. I held her for the longest time, and told her she’s proof that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. It was extremely difficult putting her back in her kennel, and leaving her. Ugh! If only adding another cat to the family wouldn’t be a sign of insanity! Brad loves cats, but he might try and have me committed. I find myself wondering if it would be worth it, though. She was so cute! And she needs love, and a good home!
I felt so passionate about all of them, and every time someone paused to look through the glass wall, I threw the door open, and asked, “Do you want a kitten?” I talked to quite a few people. Interestingly enough, they were all more inclined to adopt an adult cat, which is GREAT, so I talked up the ones that were there. I picked up one of them, to show how docile he is, and nearly threw my back out. Whatever the heaviest substance on earth is, I think he’s full of it. I exclaimed, “Good grief, you’re heavy!” but quickly covered for it, by declaring, “He’d be great for you, he won’t get into anything. He couldn’t possibly! He doesn’t have the muscle mass for it.” She did, after all, want a cat that would behave itself and not get into her yarn. He might plop himself on top of it, but that would be about all. The strange thing is that he didn’t look heavy. But that cat has mass. If she does adopt him, I hope she has the foresight to bring a wagon with her. The poor woman couldn’t possibly carry him anywhere.
I got to thinking about it later. I felt no hesitation, or awkwardness, or anything else, at throwing that door open and giving a massive sales-pitch for the sake of the cats and kittens, who so desperately need a permanent home and someone to love them. They need that! What a horrible, sad life if they never have it! It’s tragic!
And yet, in general, there’s the tendency to feel hesitant and awkward when it comes to telling people about Jesus and what He’s done for us. The love He has for us, the abundant life He offers us. The home He offers us! How desperately tragic, for anyone who doesn’t accept it. How tragic to not love people enough to tell them they have access to it, if only they’ll take it! I would never leave a cat homeless, if I could help it. But what about a stranger?
It gave me much food for thought, and I decided to pray the Holy Spirit will unmistakably open my eyes to the opportunities He places in my path. And I’m not talking about cats, although Em and I both wonder why everyone else finds an abandoned litter of kittens beside the road, but we never do. Ever!
It’s definitely time for me to get back to writing. Until next time, happy reading!