The grands left for home on Saturday, just after picking up a kitten that was to become their new pet. Unfortunately, none of us are cat people and therefore didn’t know it wasn’t a good idea to let the kitten wander around a strange yard to use the bathroom before boarding the swagger wagon.
She bolted. Almost caught. Not anywhere to be found. After thirty minutes of fruitless searching, they left without her, a van full of sad children and frustrated parents. It wasn’t the most graceful of departures, but hugs and kisses and reassurances were given that we would be on the lookout.
I doubted we would see her again, but I dutifully posted in the local Facebook lost and found animals page.
The Facebook post filled with helpful advice as the day progressed, most of which was far too much effort for a kitten I was not emotionally invested in and…I’m not a cat person.
I had just spent a week with a houseful of grandchildren I am heavily invested in and I was tired. Instead of making posters and knocking on neighbors doors, I tidied the house a bit and then “cat-napped”.
As the cat lovers had predicted, she began to meow around dusk. We crawled around the bottom of the deck, sure we were hearing her cries coming from underneath. A dish of food was strategically placed within view of a window, hoping she would venture out once we were out of sight. There was no sign of her and we went to bed because I am not a cat person.
These are the days that count, the evenings that we will remember. And these are three of the reasons that I depserately wanted to rescue that kitten.
I awoke to the sound of a baby crying or maybe it was the kitten? I peered at the clock. 2:30 a.m. – that was definitely a whining kitten, but weariness overtook worry and I feel asleep. After all, I’m not a cat person.
Morning came; the kitten’s crying continued. She seemed more desperate, crying almost constantly but there was still no sign of her.
Soon her cries became hoarse and weak. She had been missing almost twenty-four hours. This “not a cat person’ was getting concerned.
In full sun it was apparent she was not under the deck as previously thought. I noticed a hole in the dirt, at the corner of the deck, against the foundation of the house. Her cries grew louder as we investigated the opening.
It was apparent she had run into an underground trench, likely forged by running water from the sprinklers. We’d found her!
Momentary relief and joy turned to panic. Hubby got on his face in the dirt and began to carefully excavate the opening. He caught a glimpse of her but the kitten retreated and went silent.
Meanwhile, I consulted with an animal-loving nephew who was giving advice via text message. He suggested we give her some time to calm down; perhaps she would venture out when she felt safe. We reluctantly walked away, and I was fearful that hole would be her grave.
An hour passed with not a sound. My earlier adrenaline rush was gone and fatigue and a bit of sadness overtook. I’m not sure why, ’cause I’m not a cat person, you know.
Neighbors popped in to offer help and I shared my concern. As we stepped onto the deck, chatting about the situation, she resumed crying.
Her voice grew louder as she ventured toward the opening.
And then, peering out of the darkness, we saw her face! She timidly approached the tuna I had placed near the opening and began to take small bites, peering at us in between.
Thankful for a twelve-year-old to navigate the narrow space, we all agreed our young neighbor was the best person to try to coax her out, most apt to be trusted by the frightened fur baby.
We all praised the kitty, trying to be totally chill so as not to alarm her. Finally, she ventured far enough to be scooped from her hiding place.
Filthy, she’d spent more than a day down a dirty hole in the earth without food, fearful and hungry. Her fur was matted with mud and fleas. And this “not a cat person” carefully washed the squirming kitty, hand picking every flea. I cared for that kitten like it was my job, but I’m not a cat person.
Dang it.
I planned to write a warm and amusing kitten story, but the analogy just made a direct hit on my heart.
Stuff happens and I feel insecure or wounded.
I’m not appreciated.
I was left out.
I was criticized unjustly.
I’m misunderstood.
I tend to follow a natural instinct to protect myself by my own means, running into a dark hole of sorts.
I try on my own to find a safe place, quivering and loudly complaining about my situation, but unwilling to take a step toward help.
As much we wanted to help that kitten, we couldn’t until she was willing to come out of that hole.
I wasn’t deaf to her cries; they pained me. I had empathy for her predicament. But she had to show her face and take those few steps of trust.
So often I run away from the promises and reassurance that God’s got me, that he is in control of the big picture. I hide and complain instead of looking to him.
These promises came to mind as I thought about our little kitten rescue and the joy that we shared when we “not cat people” knew she was safe!
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9 NIV
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
Psalm 40:2 NIV
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14 NIV
Can you relate? Where do you struggle to trust him, even when you are frightened by the unknown? Do you long to be known and seen and yet run from the one who knows you and loves you just as you are?
I’d love to hear how all of this landed on your heart, friends. Talk back to me in the comments.
Growing in grace to trust him with my fears and hurt,
Here she is, all cleaned up and waiting to be delivered to her family.
Grace and Graffiti 