Story time!
Cats have always been something I enjoy. For some reason, I just connect better with them than with dogs or other animals. I always feel immense joy and satisfaction after spending time with a cat.
On the race, I’ve been able to spend time with cats in every country. This month started off being really challenging spiritually. I didn’t feel myself, and I couldn’t think straight or be present in ministry.
After a lot of spiritual work, external processing, and grace from my teammates, I finally felt freedom from the bondage of negativity and frustration that I had been feeling for what felt like forever.
A couple of days ago, as I was still working through things, we passed by a cat on the way to ministry. Of course, I stopped to pet it, and he ended up being a really friendly cat. One that you could pick up. As fellow cat lovers know, this doesn’t always happen. Most of the time outdoor cats are skiddish and avoid people. But this one wasn’t. He was a real treat to be able to spend a few seconds with.
Later that day, on our way home from ministry, we passed a second cat who was stuck up in a tree. Now, tell me this isn’t a God thing – two cats in one day.. No way! Well, I stood under the tree talking to the cat while my teammates started thinking of where a ladder might be located or a chair we could use to reach the cat. The cat was super talkative, much like my old housecat, Lilly.
I began coaxing the cat down, and without hesitation, she jumped on the lower branch, then the next, until she was right at eye level with me. I then petted her to gain her trust, then picked her up to hold her. I walked with her the rest of the way to the house before I let her be on her way.
It felt so good to connect with an animal that has always given me such joy. I definitely did not expect to see any domestic cats on the Race. Way to go, God!
The next day we went about our ministry. At the end of the afternoon, I remembered how blessed I had felt yesterday and prayed aloud to see another cat on the way home today.
Without fail, God showed up and blessed me again, this time with a third cat. She was younger – a kitten almost – just perched on the fence of a house. I stopped and talked with it, petted it, and continued on our way.
It feels so great knowing that I worked through some really deep stuff this month and then being rewarded with not one, not two, but THREE different moments that brought me immense joy. Not only am I walking in freedom, but I feel that the space between God and me is no longer blocked with a cloud of darkness.
