ARE YOU A “KITTEN””

Written by Luz Leigh – 10 June 2008

 

She comes several times each day to my back door.  She is seeking food for her body which will then give nourishment to her babies.  “She” is a stray cat that someone dumped near my barn.  I was not happy when I realized there was a cat hanging around out there, so I decided she needed to be caught and taken to the animal shelter.

            I do not spend a lot of thought on naming animals, so I just began calling her “Kitten”, hoping that by showing her through my gentle voice I was a friend.  She didn’t buy it.  She will come, eat the food and drink the water I provide, but she keeps her distance from me. The only time she has shown any inclination of wanting to be near me was the morning she went into labor.  She did not eat her breakfast but lay on the grass near where I was sitting, reading my morning paper. 

            She made these quiet little “mewing” noises and after a spell she went to the barn where she hid to have her babies.  For weeks she kept them hidden from me.  Then this week she has begun to allow them to play in the shade of the pecan tree next to the barn.  But they scamper quickly to the safety of their hiding place any time I open the back door.

            In some ways we are like Kitten.  We come to the Father’s house to be fed, to receive the Living Water.  Then we run away.  We do not stay near Him to feel His loving presence, to be revived by His Holy Spirit.   Just as I would love to caress Kitten and her two young babies, so the Father would love for us to remain in His presence.  He does not give up on us; He continually watches over us, keeping us safe from harm that we might not even know is lurking in the shadows of life.  I protect Kitten from stray dogs and mean cats that want to take her food. 

            When we go to our places of worship this weekend, remember this.  Don’t be a “Kitten”.  After we have been filled by the teaching and preaching of His Word in our churches,  may we continue to feast on His Word throughout the week.  Read it daily.  Share it with our families and friends.  And remember to pray….just talk to our Father.  Make our requests be made known to him and in everything pray with thanksgiving in our hearts.